HOW TO AVOID MAJOR PROBLEMS THAT CAN MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOU TO ACCESS YOUR COMPUTER. PART 4

Today we will analyse paragraph 2 of my post of August 2nd:

"All of a sudden I cannot boot my computer up,I have given up!"

This problem, (if it was not the result of a serious virus attack), is normally caused by a corrupted file in the registry that got that way when a program or files download went sour, or a bad program installation after the download.

Of course, since you are not able to boot the computer, you won't be able to use Windows System Restore, Registry cleanup or any other procedure that could help the situation.

But do not despair! That's why Windows has a very helpful mode of operation, "SAFE MODE".

What is safe mode?

Safe mode is a troubleshooting option for Windows that starts your computer in a limited state. Only the basic files and drivers necessary to run Windows are started. The words Safe Mode appear in the corners of your monitor to identify which Windows mode you're using.

How do you get on "SAFE MODE"? it is really very easy:

Start the computer by pressing the the start button on your lap top or desk top and then immediately press F8 a few times "click, click, click", (you get the picture...). After a few moments, the monitor will show a lot of letters and file names scrolling down, until a page shows and gives you different choices to start the computer. Select "SAFE MODE".

The computer will then start in safe mode. If an existing problem doesn't reappear at this time, you can eliminate the default settings and basic device drivers or registry errors as possible causes.

If your computer automatically starts in safe mode without prompting, a problem with your computer might be preventing Windows from starting normally. If you think the cause of the problem might be a recently installed program or device, you will now be able to use Windows System Restore in SAFE MODE:

Click "start/programs/accessories/system tools/system restore.

Once in "system restore" go to a restore date prior to the date and time your problem showed up, click "restore" and wait. The computer will restore to that date and time when it was still working fine, and most likely you'll be in business again.

I hope that this will help those of you who did not know what to do when a problem like this all of a sudden hits you.

George Freire