If you are experiencing extreme problems starting Windows you will want to boot into safe mode to properly diagnose and run the Spyware removing tactics. Spyware at times can cause such a disturbance in Windows that booting regularly into Windows results in immediate crashes and pop-ups. Please note that in order to do this you will need Ad-Aware and Spybot S&D burned on a CD, USB Drive, or already saved somewhere in Windows Explorer. Currently we are hosting both files on our server.
WHAT IS SAFE MODE? A special mode for starting Windows that uses simple, default settings so that you can at least get into Windows and fix a problem that is not allowing you to continue not working with Windows. The default settings used are generic VGA monitor driver, no network settings, the standard Microsoft mouse driver, and the minimum device drivers necessary to start Windows.Are you ready to begin your first step in removing spyware, great!
BELOW IS THE ILLUSTRATED STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS TO ACCOMPLISH THIS TASK SAFELY AND SUCCESSFULLY.
When you first start your computer you will see the BIOS (see below for definition) screen this will vary depending on your motherboard.
BIOS (BASIC INPUT OUTPUT SYSTEM): This provides the basic instructions for a PC's hardware, and is coded into the computer's ROM (or Read Only Memory). The operating system (Windows 98, for instance) and applications access BIOS in order to enhance compatibility.
Immediately following the BIOS screen, begin to strike the “F8” button on your keyboard. This will prompt the following screen. Make sure “Safe Mode” is highlighted and hit the “Enter” button on your keyboard.
***PLEASE NOTE***If Windows begins to load, whether you have the Windows 98, Windows 2000, or the Windows XP (shown below), you have to reboot and try again.
Once you have successfully entered safe mode the screen may look like the following. Note this is absolutely normal as it is loading the minimum files for you to load the diagnostic tools used in Safe Mode.
Once you have passed the file loading is completed, the screen Windows Safe Mode begins to load and will prompt you with the following screen.
Click the “Yes” button with your mouse and Safe Mode will continue to load. Once Safe Mode is loaded you will notice that the quality of your graphics are of a lesser quality and Windows loaded fairly quickly. This is absolutely normal in Safe Mode.
GENERAL RULES FOR ALTERING STARTUP FUNCTIONS
Startup items are programs that are automatically loaded every time you turn your computer on. Some startup programs are absolutely necessary, others are simply a waste of RAM.
The only startup items you absolutely need are:
- ScanRegistry: Verifies that the Registry is in order, and makes a backup.(Assists with System Restore)
- SystemTray: Displays application icons of programs that are running and also system time.
- Explorer.exe: Allows you to view your files and folders.
- Your antivirus program: (Norton, McAfee, Bit Defender, PC-Chillin, AVG, Panda)
Since you need these startup items to be running all the time in order for your computer to work properly, make sure there is always a check mark next to all of these startup items.
If you don't see one or two these items in your list of startup items, that is okay. For example, some people may not have a LoadPowerProfile while others may have two. The important thing to remember is that you don't want to uncheck any of these files if you have them.
However, as for the rest of the startup items, they are completely optional. Whether you leave these optional startup items on or turn them off is completely up to you. A good rule of thumb is to disable only those programs that you recognize and don't need to have running all the time. When in doubt, leave it on. Or, better yet, check out Paul "PacMan" Collins' extensive "Startup Applications" list at http://www.sysinfo.org/startuplist.php
Here's a good example. On my computer I have an extensive collection of MP3s and I listen to those MP3s with a program called WinAmp. For some reason or other, WinAmp decided that it should always be running on my computer even when I am not using the program. That's silly. To prevent WinAmp from automatically starting every time I boot my computer, I ran MSCONFIG and unchecked "WinampAgent." That's it.
Remember, disable only those programs that you recognize and don't need to have running all the time. When in doubt, leave it on.
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