stuck in safe mode

MY HP6645C RUNNING WINDOWS 98 IS STUCK IN SAFE MODE. WILL NOT RETURN TO NORMAL MODE EVEN AFTER COMPLETE SHUTDOWN AND RESTART. TRIED HOLDING CONTROL ON RESTART--JUST GETS STUCK KEY NOTICE. HP WANTS $25 TO TELL ME THE FIX! PLEASE HELP!

 

don't continuously hold the key down, just start tapping it, if you hold it down you will get the stuck key error message.

after the memory count and before windows loading message start tapping the F8 or control key, choose normal from the menu and see what happens.

 

Safe Mode:
Starting in safe mode allows you to run your computer with the minimal amount of drivers utilizing only your mouse, keyboard, and monitor. It will help in troubleshooting because all other programs that are normally running in the background are shut down. You can run diagnostic software, virus scan software, while in safe mode. You can also defragment your hard drive and run a scan disk in safe mode if for some reason you are unable too in regular boot up.
Maintaining Your Computer
http://webmaxter.com/Computermain.html

How to get out of safe mode from the system configuration utility

If you use the system configuration utility to get into safe mMode you'll need to use it to get back out too.



Choose Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Information.

Choose Tools > System Configuration Utility.
On the General tab, Select Normal Startup -- Load Device Drivers and Software.
Click OK then restart Windows by clicking Yes in the System Settings Change dialog box.

Nope. Still doesn't work


If you've tried every trick in the book and still can't boot into safe mode check the following things.

Scan for viruses -- See our story on How Antivirus Works.

Check your video driver -- You must have a simple VGA video driver installed for Windows to work in safe mode.

Eliminate hardware conflicts -- See our story on device driver conflicts.

 

One "quick fix" that often works is just to restore a prior registry.

If you do this any settings changes or subsequent installs will be nullified.

Press the ctrl key as soon as the computer begins booting until you see the startup menu. Choose the command prompt option and at the c:\> prompt enter:

scanreg /restore

use the arrow keys to select a prior started registry.

You really shouldn't get a "stuck key" error doing that, but if you do, try tapping the f8 key instead. If that doesn't work, run msconfig in safe mode and click the "advanced" tab. Check "enable startup menu" there and you will get the startup menu automatically on restart. Uncheck it when things are normal.