Safe Mode Won't Load Past User Accounts

[Phantomphreak]

I hope I'm posting this in the right forum. Thanks for bearing with me, as I'm kind of new at this type of stuff.

I'm attempting to boot up Windows XP Pro on my Toshiba Satellite A70 in safe mode in order to attempt some spyware removal. I've previously been able to boot up into safe mode for other purposes, but now I'm encountering an issue.

My system boots into the user account screen just fine and allows me to log in normally. However, once the desktop tries to load, things get a little weird.

The safe mode warning flashes for a split second and then disappears before either "yes" or "no" can be selected indicating whether you wish to continue working in safe mode. Nothing happens after that. It just defaults to a black screen bearing the words "safe mode" in each corner and the build version of Windows XP Pro that I'm running and doesn't attempt to load anything else. The cursor is present and can be moved, but no other input can be given.

On one occasion, I was able to select "yes" before the message disappeared and it flashed my desktop icons for about 1.5 seconds before showing the message again and reverting to the blank screen.

I've tried using system restore to revert to a previous configuration, but that hasn't worked.

What the heck is going on here? I'm nearing my wits' end with this and could really use all the help I can get.

Thanks in advance.

[DanG]

which account are you logging into? A user account, or the admin account?

[Phantomphreak]

I'm logging into a user account with admin privileges. Should I create and use an admin only account?

[pott_c]

i get exactly the same problem except i started up safe mode by going through start>run>msconfig etc
not only am i now stuck in safe mode but it doesnt work. so i basically have a pc with a blank screen except for safe mode. is there anything i can do? system restore is disabled cause of the virus i just had on it so i cant use my xp disk to go back to a previous setting and delete the registry values. anyone know what to do other than reinstalling xp or something??

[GrayFox]

Have you tryed a repair install ?.

[pott_c]

will try it cheers. btw can anyone help phantomphreak who originally posted? sorry mate completely stole your thread here...

[pott_c]

Ok i sorted my issue with being stuck in safe mode by going through msconfig using ctrl alt del and run. and changing the setting to start in normal mode. I've found my problem with the blank screen to be a shell.dll failure, which i'm finding difficult to repair other than a repair install/wiping hard disk and starting again, so phantomphreak you have a job on your hands if you really need to be in safe mode i think. willl get back if i figure out how to sort that out. good luck.

[Leonardo]

Phantom, my recommendation for you is to attempt a Windows XP repair installation. Before that, you should back up any data you wouldn't want to lose. It sounds like malware has hosed up your registry; the chance of it being unrecoverable dictates that you should backup important data before other steps. If the Windows repair installation is successful, then I recommend you come back here to the Spyware/Virus/Trojan (http://www.short-media.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=57) help forum to clean out whatever may have caused the original problem.