Laptop will only start in safe mode???

[Pep]

Just turned my laptop on and it will only start in safe mode :S

I can't get restore to work, anyone got any ideas?!

 

[Jon.G]

you got the original OS disc? try doing a system check with it. maybe some start up files missing or the boot.ini file maybe corrupt.

 

[The Boosh!]

AIDS IIRc

 

[Pep]

I have a dell disc 'drivers and utilities' and the vista 'operating system'

one of those what you mean?

i am a complete r****d when it comes to computers so any help would be awesome

 

[Pettsi]

You need to boot the laptop with the 'Vista' disc.
Personally i'd try running a chkdsk in the recovery console to start with.

 

[Pep]

When i put the vista disc in i get 2 options:

check compatibility online

install now

not sure what you mean by recovery console!?

 

[GarethM]

my dell laptop (inspiron 1525) did the same thing after 4 months of owning it. emailed dell support to see what to do and even had a thread on here for advice.

it would freeze when i tried to start it in normal mode. so i just re installed everything on the discs that came with it and its been fine since

 

[Pep]

same as my laptop, this is the first problem though.

so reinstall vista from the disc? will this make me lose all of my pics etc on the computer?

 

[Pettsi]

See if you can do this first

http://www.windows-help-central.com/windows-vista-chkdsk.html

 

[Mr J Cake]

when you hit install vista it will start running then ask if ya want to repair windows or reinstall

 

[GarethM]

same as my laptop, this is the first problem though.

so reinstall vista from the disc? will this make me lose all of my pics etc on the computer?

i was worried about that, but they all stayed on the laptop when i did it.

 

[Pep]

Cheers garf, MR Cake (lol)

Matt, tried that but doesnt seem to actually do anything, no progress bar etc. Would that be because it is in safe mode?

 

[GarethM]

are you reinstalling it? or trying to repair it?

 

[Pep]

Just restarted and its back to normal :S

Doing a backup to my memory stick now in case it happens again.
I just want to make it work, reinstall/repair, all the same to me haha!

 

[realnumber 1]

I would still run chkdsk if i where you.

 

[Pep]

I ran that chkdsk but nothing happened :S

Re-installed windows but then it wouldnt connect to my wireless network, the internal thingy wouldnt detect it.
Took it to my local computer place, he's gonna fix it and install a new antivirus thing for me, hopefully won't be too much, I could really do with not spending the money on it!!