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Thread ID: 59416	2005-07-01 22:19:00	boots into Safe Mode / wierd graphics / drvers	mark c (247)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
368578	2005-07-01 22:19:00	Hi . I have this friends' computer they said it keeps starting in Safe Mode so I gave it a try and it does sporadically after a splash screen that looks psychadelic, all wierd colours, then it collapses into safe mode saying "Windows did not boot properly on the previous attempt so will start in Safe Mode . " Which, oddly, it doesn't, but goes to the startup menu instead . From there, choosing "Normal" instead of "Safe Mode" the computer boots OK and everything seems to run alright . It's got a Celeron 333mghz processor, 64 megs SDram, onboard audio and graphics . Win 98 se . I"ve updated and run Spybot and AdAaware and run the maintenenace . All OK . Updated ZA to hopefully get over this "tvDeBug . log" issue which I thought it might have been . But then it has just done the odd start up again so nothing I've done appears to have changed it . I just cehcked the monitor and display drivers in Device Manager and checked for updated drivers but the warning came up about them "Not being signed" so didn't install them . So there's the issue really . Why does "windows" find as drivers for these devices ones that are unsigned? Should I go ahead anyway? Sorry if this is a bit long winded . TIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . m	mark c (247)
368579	2005-07-01 22:25:00	Nothing wrong with unsigned drivers (usually) - just means that Microsoft haven't been bothered to test the drivers and give their seal of approval :) Mike.	Mike (15)
368580	2005-07-01 23:51:00	Thanks very much Mike I will give them a try when I get back to the friends' place. :D	mark c (247)
368581	2005-07-02 00:03:00	Unsigned drivers means they haven't been submitted to MS for testing, this process costs money so they only submit certain drivers that have proven to be bug free. Hence if your using an unsigned driver its because it has bugs.Period. Thats not to say they will make themselves appaerent on your machine but they are in there. Drivers from smaller companies never have signed drivers due to the cost. You just take your chances, Because at the end of the day signed drivers aren't bug free either.	Metla (12)
368582	2005-07-02 00:10:00	OK Metla thanks for that bit of helpful info. I'll take a chance, can always restore the old ones. Never actualy updated a driver in my life. Cheers.............m	mark c (247)
368583	2005-07-02 04:54:00	I'd put in the latest driver for the graphics, signed or not, who cares. I find it hilarious that Microsoft is supposed to approve it - like they're known for bug-free - not. But it may have an issue with some other driver or maybe even some software that is causing it to jump into safe mode. Check in Device Manager to see if anything has a problem.	pctek (84)
368584	2005-07-02 06:58:00	Thanks pctek had a look and all is well except for a yellow exclamation mark for "Other Devices" which on expanding is "PCI Ethernet Controller" . This comp isn't networked tho being a hand-me-down may have been at some stage so kind of think this wouldn't be the problem . Checked for updates for Display and Monitor and message says both have the best going at the moment . Comp seems to be working fine now . One of those cases where after a lot of fiddling around it works alright so can't pinpoint what may have been the cause . Thanks for all the help . Will get back if it ever happens again . (as my friends will get back to me for "not fixing our computer" . ) :groan: :)	mark c (247)
368585	2005-07-02 08:09:00	Thanks pctek had a look and all is well except for a yellow exclamation mark for "Other Devices" which on expanding is "PCI Ethernet Controller" . This comp isn't networked tho being a hand-me-down may have been at some stage so kind of think this wouldn't be the problem . Checked for updates for Display and Monitor and message says both have the best going at the moment . Comp seems to be working fine now . One of those cases where after a lot of fiddling around it works alright so can't pinpoint what may have been the cause . Thanks for all the help . Will get back if it ever happens again . (as my friends will get back to me for "not fixing our computer" . ) :groan: :) Well I'd take it out if you don't need it or fix the driver anyway . Even if its not a problem, its untidy . :p	pctek (84)
368586	2005-07-02 08:54:00	Thanks again pctek . Tried removing the driver but on loading Windows picks up that tho the hardware (presumably an ethernet card) is there the drivers are not so asks for a reinstallation / update so tried an update but nothing new available so left it with the old one and now boots OK. Wil check with the owners if they want me (keen but free amateur) to rip the card out . WooHoo. Cheers............m	mark c (247)
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