[stelex]

Hi .... I have a windows vista computer system. When I turn on the computer and log in, it automatically reboots again. The only way I can use my email is to be in 'safe mode with networking'. I'm trying to use an external hard drive to backup pictures and other data. The driver disk I have is not compatable with vista and I tried the windows hotfix but it won't work either.. perhaps because I'm in 'safe mode'. I've been told that I will have to re-install windows vista and will lose all my data so I need to get my current pics and data off my hard drive....HELP!!!

[Triple6]

What external drive is it? Normal USB and Firewire drives do NOT need any drivers to work. Now the drive may have come with some backup or other software but its not required to use the drive.

Have you tried using System Restore to go back to a date when the computer did boot successfully?

[Bob Cerelli]

Well the larger problem at this point is why your Vista computer reboots when you log on. Have you tried logging on with another user's account?

Or when in safe mode, since that works, can you run MSCONFIG / Startup tab and uncheck anything that doesn't need to start automatically when you log on normally.

[stelex]

The Hard Drive is an external Z-DATA Diamond Digital USB 2.0. I can only get online by using the 'safe mode with networking' and when I try to restore I get a screen that says it's initializing but it always fails to go any further than that. I tried the Hotfix from Microsoft Help but it wouldn't work either.. perhaps because I'm in 'safe mode'?

[Triple6]

How far into the loading does Windows for before it stops or reboots? Does it give you an error?

The USB drive should work in Safe Mode if you want to do a reinstall. Are you sure the drive doesn't appear in Computer?