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Unfortunately I can not get into safe mode at all. The
same thing happens when I try safe mode- I get stuck just
before the login screen. I have the XP Pro CD and I can
get into the recovery console. Is there a way to edit the
registry from the recovery console?
It sounds like you are at least getting the advanced startup screen. Have
you tried booting with "Last Known Good Configuration yet?
I'm going to give you a link to a few sites. Harry O's site covers several
of the recovery and repair options including the Recovery Console.
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm
Recovery Console saved me once when a newly added service caused boot
failure. However, you're pretty limited at the Recovery Console. This MS
Knowledge Base article covers many of the basics:
HOW TO: Install and Use the Recovery Console in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q307654
This article gives a short description of most of the available commands:
Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314058
If you end up doing a repair install, the following page is nice, short and
concise. Harry's site includes pictures of the screens encountered during a
repair install. Worth the time to read them to become acquainted with the
prompts beforehand. Michael's site is easy to print out and keep at hand
during the process.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm..
Once this is all squared away and you're up and running again, you may want
to take a look at this article (if you have XP Pro). A few changes in group
policy (not available in XP Home) can make the Recovery Console a little
more useful.
HOW TO: Add More Power to Recovery Console By Using Group Policy in Windows
XP Professional
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310497&Product=winxp