cwaddell27

Tried with a couple of different screwdrivers but still didn't move. Looked like it was going to be doing more damage to the screw which would make it even harder to remove so stopped. Managed to remove all the others I needed to but couldnt lift up the panel enough to do anything. Would trying to take it to a repair shop be worth doing - not sure how much they are. My sister is getting really annoyed with it and is wondering if it's just easier and cheaper overall to buy a new laptop.

Ok thanks. Will try a larger screwdriver but there is one screw that is very tight. Will need to get some compressed air too. Will see if getting the last screw off works and will write on here again in a bit.

My sister has been having trouble with her laptop. Wrote down all info I could about it that I could find out - not sure how to find out any other info on it. Acer TravelMate 5510 Windows Vista Service Pack 1 AMD Turion 64 X2 Mobile Technology TL-52 1.60Ghz 1.00GB Memory Ram System Type: 32 Bit OS It first started when connecting to Wifi in a pub. It shut down (from overheating?) and then when it was restarted, once it got to the desktop after stating - the screen was just blank - Showed the wallpaper ( pale blue colour) but no logos or tool bars etc.. She was told it was a graphics card problem and that it would be £140 to replace but now no longer think that as it starts ok in safe mode and shows logos etc but cant get online when in safe mode. When it does virus scans etc.. it overheats and shuts itself off. We were told on another forum to remove the bottom cover and remove all of the dust but one screw is too tight and wont move so cant do that. Is there any way to get the cover off easily to remove the dust. We were told to deal with the dust/overheating problem first before doing anything else. Also once that is done how could we try to fix things not showing up? We have tried to do system restore but doesn't help. We want to try and reformat it but dont have the vista discs as it was installed on the laptop already when she got it. Our mum has an XP disc and vista upgrade (but is in another country) so would that work? Or is there a way to do it without discs - heard something on another forum about system recovery? Anyway any advice would be very helpful.

Yes all working fine now and thanks to everyone for the help. Already noticed some of the other problems have been fixed from reformatting and is working much faster too. Will try and create recovery discs but think I know where original ones I made were.

I just reformatted and also just found out the problem was able to be solved by using laptop without the battery. When I had the problem people said I shouldn't be using lots of different anti virus programs but to just use Avast. Now that I have to reinstall lots of software I wanted to know what antivirus programs I should use - I downloaded avast but is there anything else i should use that is free and available to download? I did use AVG, Spybot and Symantec before aswell as Avast.

Did this but didn't have to make any discs but had problems starting up still - found help on fixya.com i think and said it was my battery and that I shoud remove it. All works fine now and have to buy new battery and it appears to be dead. Thanks for the help

How to reformat Acer Aspire laptop I have an Acer Aspire 5672 with Windows XP Home Edition. It didn't come with any discs - everything was installed when I first started it up. It has been having problems and have been told on here the best thing to do is to try and reformat it. What do I have to do to reformat? So far I have started backing up all my personal files in safe mode onto my external hard drive - and cant start up normally as password screen has a problem. Do I have to backup any other files for reformatting? And also is it possible to create the backup discs while in safe mode as I had made them before but dont know where they are - I know cd burner works - but not completely sure where to do the backup again. Can anyone help with this

I guess I'll have to do that then if it'll fix all the problems. Will try and start backing up my files on my external hard drive later today. I may have the discs I had from when It told me to make a backup but will try and do it again in safe mode anyway. Once I do that what do I have to do? The laptop didn't come with any discs or software to install - first time I started it up it started installing everything itself. Can I reformat it myself or is it something only a computer repair shop can do. I will be in Switzerland near Geneva for the next few weeks and would get it done there if anyone knows of somewhere I can get it done there, or knows of someone who can help.

It didnt come with any cds but it told me to make backup cds i think. Do you know if its possible to use an external hard drive and plug it in during safe mode to save all my other files or wont it work in safe mode - because it'll be much easier and faster than having to use dvds. I'd prefer if i didn't have to restore back to factory condition just in case it did mess it up more and I have also lost some of the discs of software I had so would be hard to replace a lot of stuff on it,but will do that only if I really have to. If its possible I'd rather try to repair it or at least the start up. I want to try and get it checked or repaired at a computer place when I get back home to see if they can do anything .

But dont mind if all problems dont get fixed - mainly just want to get the startup and password stuff sorted out so then I can at least use my laptop. Some of the other things were annoying but weren't a huge problem so if anyone can help with the startup it would be a big help.

Yes - dont mind if it takes a while - i knew there were a few problems because sometimes sound would go off for no reason and had to restart. Also when I first got it there was some problem maybe with one of HD's and it gave off a loud high pitched noise but deleting files and system restore fixed it. Also recently screen would go dark every 15 mins if mouse wasnt moved as if it was on power saving when unplugged but was plugged it.

Ok got Hijack This working. Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2 Scan saved at 18:55:29, on 10/09/2008 Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600) MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16705) Boot mode: Safe mode Running processes: C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe C:\Program Files\DigitalPersona\Bin\DPWinLct.exe C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = Yahoo! UK & Ireland R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = MSN.com R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = Live Search R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = Live Search R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = MSN.com R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,AutoConfigURL = http://portal.uwe.ac.uk/proxy.pac R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = 127.0.0.1;*.local O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - c:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll O2 - BHO: dsWebAllowBHO Class - {2F85D76C-0569-466F-A488-493E6BD0E955} - C:\Program Files\Windows Desktop Search\dsWebAllow.dll O2 - BHO: WormRadar.com IESiteBlocker.NavFilter - {3CA2F312-6F6E-4B53-A66E-4E65E497C8C0} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\avgssie.dll O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_07\bin\ssv.dll O2 - BHO: (no name) - {7E853D72-626A-48EC-A868-BA8D5E23E045} - (no file) O2 - BHO: Windows Live Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar3.dll O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Notifier BHO - {AF69DE43-7D58-4638-B6FA-CE66B5AD205D} - C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\3.0.1225.9868\swg.dll O2 - BHO: Windows Live Toolbar Helper - {BDBD1DAD-C946-4A17-ADC1-64B5B4FF55D0} - C:\Program Files\Windows Live Toolbar\msntb.dll O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar3.dll O3 - Toolbar: Windows Live Toolbar - {BDAD1DAD-C946-4A17-ADC1-64B5B4FF55D0} - C:\Program Files\Windows Live Toolbar\msntb.dll O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LaunchApp] Alaunch O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RTHDCPL] RTHDCPL.EXE O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Alcmtr] ALCMTR.EXE O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [synTPLpr] C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPLpr.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [synTPEnh] C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PCMService] "C:\Program Files\Acer\Acer Arcade\PCMService.exe" O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iMJPMIG8.1] "C:\WINDOWS\IME\imjp8_1\IMJPMIG.EXE" /Spoil /RemAdvDef /Migration32 O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MSPY2002] C:\WINDOWS\system32\IME\PINTLGNT\ImScInst.exe /SYNC O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PHIME2002ASync] C:\WINDOWS\system32\IME\TINTLGNT\TINTSETP.EXE /SYNC O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PHIME2002A] C:\WINDOWS\system32\IME\TINTLGNT\TINTSETP.EXE /IMEName O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATICCC] "C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\cli.exe" runtime -Delay O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [eDataSecurity Loader] C:\Acer\Empowering Technology\eDataSecurity\eDSloader.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [bluetoothAuthenticationAgent] rundll32.exe bthprops.cpl,,BluetoothAuthenticationAgent O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ePower_DMC] C:\Acer\Empowering Technology\ePower\ePower_DMC.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Acer ePower Management] C:\Acer\Empowering Technology\ePower\Acer ePower Management.exe boot O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LManager] C:\PROGRA~1\LAUNCH~1\QtZgAcer.EXE O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [eRecoveryService] C:\Acer\Empowering Technology\eRecovery\Monitor.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LVCOMSX] C:\WINDOWS\system32\LVCOMSX.EXE O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LogitechCameraAssistant] C:\Program Files\Acer\OrbiCam\CameraAssistant.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LogitechVideo[inspector]] C:\Program Files\Acer\OrbiCam\InstallHelper.exe /inspect O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LogitechCameraService(E)] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ElkCtrl.exe /automation O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ADMTray.exe] "C:\Acer\Empowering Technology\admtray.exe" O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [intelliPoint] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft IntelliPoint\point32.exe" O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [sunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_07\bin\jusched.exe" O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [sSBkgdUpdate] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Scansoft Shared\SSBkgdUpdate\SSBkgdupdate.exe -Embedding -boot O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Verball] "C:\Program Files\Verball\VerballSkypeApp.exe" O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Picasa Media Detector] C:\Program Files\Picasa2\PicasaMediaDetector.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DPAgnt] C:\Program Files\DigitalPersona\Bin\DPAgnt.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Motive SmartBridge] C:\PROGRA~1\BLUEWIN\QUICKH~1\SMARTB~1\QuickHelpAlert.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [bLUEWIN_McciTrayApp] C:\Program Files\BLUEWIN\WLAN Assistant\McciTrayApp.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccApp] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe" O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [vptray] C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\VPTray.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Software Update] C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LGODDFU] "C:\Program Files\lg_fwupdate\fwupdate.exe" blrun O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroFilterCheck] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\Lib\NeroCheck.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [securDisc] C:\Program Files\Nero\Nero 7\InCD\NBHGui.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [inCD] C:\Program Files\Nero\Nero 7\InCD\InCD.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WD Button Manager] WDBtnMgr.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG8_TRAY] C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgtray.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [avast!] C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4\ashDisp.exe O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MsnMsgr] "C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\msnmsgr.exe" /background O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [skype] "C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe" /nosplash /minimized O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [bitTorrent] "C:\Program Files\BitTorrent\bittorrent.exe" --force_start_minimized O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [swg] C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe O4 - Startup: Adobe Gamma.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe O4 - Global Startup: Bluetooth.lnk = ? O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\OSA.EXE O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe O4 - Global Startup: Windows Desktop Search.lnk = C:\Program Files\Windows Desktop Search\WindowsSearch.exe O4 - Global Startup: WinZip Quick Pick.lnk = C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE O4 - Global Startup: Quick Help.lnk = C:\Program Files\Bluewin\Quick Help\bin\matcli.exe O4 - Global Startup: HP Digital Imaging Monitor.lnk = C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe O4 - Global Startup: HP Photosmart Premier Fast Start.lnk = C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqthb08.exe O8 - Extra context menu item: &Sample Toolband Serach - res://C:\WINDOWS\system32\ToolBand.dll/MENUSEARCH.HTM O8 - Extra context menu item: &Windows Live Search - res://C:\Program Files\Windows Live Toolbar\msntb.dll/search.htm O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000 O8 - Extra context menu item: Send to &Bluetooth Device... - c:\Program Files\WIDCOMM\Bluetooth Software\btsendto_ie_ctx.htm O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_07\bin\ssv.dll O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_07\bin\ssv.dll O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\windows\system32\nwprovau.dll O16 - DPF: {00B71CFB-6864-4346-A978-C0A14556272C} (Checkers Class) - http://messenger.zone.msn.com/binary/msgrchkr.cab31267.cab O16 - DPF: {5F8469B4-B055-49DD-83F7-62B522420ECC} (Facebook Photo Uploader Control) - http://upload.facebook.com/controls/FacebookPhotoUploader.cab O16 - DPF: {8E0D4DE5-3180-4024-A327-4DFAD1796A8D} (MessengerStatsClient Class) - http://messenger.zone.msn.com/binary/MessengerStatsClient.cab31267.cab O16 - DPF: {CF40ACC5-E1BB-4AFF-AC72-04C2F616BCA7} (get_atlcom Class) - http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/nos/gp.cab O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://fpdownload2.macromedia.com/get/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab O18 - Protocol: linkscanner - {F274614C-63F8-47D5-A4D1-FBDDE494F8D1} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\avgpp.dll O20 - AppInit_DLLs: avgrsstx.dll O20 - Winlogon Notify: DPWLN - C:\WINDOWS\system32\DPWLEvHd.dll O23 - Service: avast! iAVS4 Control Service (aswUpdSv) - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\aswUpdSv.exe O23 - Service: Ati HotKey Poller - ATI Technologies Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe O23 - Service: avast! Antivirus - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashServ.exe O23 - Service: avast! Mail Scanner - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashMaiSv.exe O23 - Service: avast! Web Scanner - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashWebSv.exe O23 - Service: AVG8 WatchDog (avg8wd) - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgwdsvc.exe O23 - Service: AdminWorks Agent X6 (AWService) - Avocent Inc. - C:\Acer\Empowering Technology\admServ.exe O23 - Service: ##Id_String1.6844F930_1628_4223_B5CC_5BB94B879762## (Bonjour Service) - Apple Computer, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe O23 - Service: Bluetooth Service (btwdins) - Broadcom Corporation. - c:\Program Files\WIDCOMM\Bluetooth Software\bin\btwdins.exe O23 - Service: Capture Device Service - InterVideo Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InterVideo\DeviceService\DevSvc.exe O23 - Service: Canon Camera Access Library 8 (CCALib8) - Canon Inc. - C:\Program Files\Canon\CAL\CALMAIN.exe O23 - Service: Symantec Event Manager (ccEvtMgr) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe O23 - Service: Symantec Password Validation (ccPwdSvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccPwdSvc.exe O23 - Service: Symantec Settings Manager (ccSetMgr) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSetMgr.exe O23 - Service: CyberLink Background Capture Service (CBCS) (CLCapSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Acer\Acer Arcade\Kernel\TV\CLCapSvc.exe O23 - Service: CyberLink Task Scheduler (CTS) (CLSched) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Acer\Acer Arcade\Kernel\TV\CLSched.exe O23 - Service: Creative Service for CDROM Access - Creative Technology Ltd - C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTsvcCDA.EXE O23 - Service: CyberLink Media Library Service - Cyberlink - C:\Program Files\Acer\Acer Arcade\Kernel\CLML_NTService\CLMLServer.exe O23 - Service: Symantec AntiVirus Definition Watcher (DefWatch) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Symantec AntiVirus\DefWatch.exe O23 - Service: Windows XP FUS Manager (DPFUSMgr) - DigitalPersona, Inc. - C:\Program Files\DigitalPersona\Bin\DPFUSMgr.exe O23 - Service: Biometric Authentication Service (DpHost) - DigitalPersona, Inc. - C:\Program Files\DigitalPersona\Bin\DpHost.exe O23 - Service: Intel® PROSet/Wireless Event Log (EvtEng) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\EvtEng.exe O23 - Service: FLEXnet Licensing Service - Macrovision Europe Ltd. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Macrovision Shared\FLEXnet Publisher\FNPLicensingService.exe O23 - Service: Google Updater Service (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe O23 - Service: InCD Helper (InCDsrv) - Nero AG - C:\Program Files\Nero\Nero 7\InCD\InCDsrv.exe O23 - Service: Logitech Process Monitor (LVPrcSrv) - Logitech - c:\program files\common files\logitech\lvmvfm\LVPrcSrv.exe O23 - Service: Macromedia Licensing Service - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Macromedia Shared\Service\Macromedia Licensing.exe O23 - Service: NBService - Nero AG - C:\Program Files\Nero\Nero 7\Nero BackItUp\NBService.exe O23 - Service: NMIndexingService - Nero AG - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\Lib\NMIndexingService.exe O23 - Service: Pml Driver HPZ12 - HP - C:\WINDOWS\system32\HPZipm12.exe O23 - Service: Intel® PROSet/Wireless Registry Service (RegSrvc) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\RegSrvc.exe O23 - Service: Cyberlink RichVideo Service(CRVS) (RichVideo) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\CyberLink\Shared Files\RichVideo.exe O23 - Service: Remote Packet Capture Protocol v.0 (experimental) (rpcapd) - CACE Technologies - C:\Program Files\WinPcap\rpcapd.exe O23 - Service: Intel® PROSet/Wireless Service (S24EventMonitor) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\S24EvMon.exe O23 - Service: SAVRoam (SavRoam) - symantec - C:\Program Files\Symantec AntiVirus\SavRoam.exe O23 - Service: ServiceLayer - Nokia. - C:\Program Files\PC Connectivity Solution\ServiceLayer.exe O23 - Service: Symantec Network Drivers Service (SNDSrvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SNDSrvc.exe O23 - Service: Symantec AntiVirus - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Symantec AntiVirus\Rtvscan.exe -- End of file - 14456 bytes

Got safe mode working but cant find the networking and in network connections it's blank. Also cant get internet connection to work and flash drive didnt work in usb ports - tried in different ones. So cant get the Hijack This folder onto my laptop.

ok now finally started in safe mode after about 15 mins on that screen

Tried restarting in safe mode and now it doesnt seem to be going into it. I pressed f8 - start in safe mode... Then it goes to black screen with white writing which it did before but doesn't seem to be starting up. All lines start with: multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS\system32\DRIVERS\ then the ends are: ohcil394.sys 1394BUS.SYS compbatt.sys BATTC.SYS pciide.sys PCIIDEX.SYS pcmcia.sys MountMgr.sys ftdisk.sys ACPIEC.sys OPRGHDLR.SYS PartMgr.sys UBHelper.sys VolSnap.sys atapi.sys disk.sys CLASSPNP.SYS fltmanager.sys sr.sys PXHelp20.sys Fastfat.sys KSecDD.sys NDIS.sys Mup.sys this is the second time trying to start it in safe mode again. Only thing I changed earlier was taking password off but it only showed welcome on the screen. managed to get into safe mode again after that but now its not working