Hi all,

My passwords all stopped working at the same time that my Windows Media Player got corrputed (it would not load and the whole desktop would freeze so that I could not click on any files or folders.) I tried CWShredder and it said the the virus variant had a way to shut down CWShredder, so it never finished running all the way.

I finally had to uninstall and re-install Media Player and now it works fine. I thought that was the end of it, but today I realized that I cannot log on to any website using a password (I'm using my husband's PC now.)

I run Norton Anti-Virus daily and it's not found anything, so I don't know what to do. And I cannot change any of the options for Norton or ZoneAlarm. I also cannot re-start my computer in Safe Mode using the F8 key; it just starts Windows.

I'm really stuck; please please help.

Thank you...

Alice

PS: This is not a "Caps Lock" or "Num Lock" problem.

What do you mean "your Passwords quit working"? If you go to a site you no longer can sign in? The saved passwords no longer are automatic? There is a free download (pspv.zip) which will when opened list all your internet passwords. You can read about it here to make up your mind to use it or not.
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/pspv.html

The problem is now just my Zonealarm password which I can only reset if I delete a couple of things in Safe Mode.

The problem is that when run Safe Mode, it gives me a DOS screen with a string of what seems to be registries, but gets hung up at the first screen and stops. So I never make it to Windows.

So you have any suggestions for getting to Safe Mode another way?

Thanks.

You did not say which way you try to get to safe mode. Check this url:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2001052409420406?OpenDocument&src=sec_doc_nam

Chuck,

I got to Safe Mode using the F8 key. It gave me three Safe Mode options and I selected the top (default one.)

It then started running a list which stopped after a few seconds.

Since there are several things that Safe Mode is necessary for, I'd very much like to get it working.

Thanks...

From the Start menu's Run dialog, enter the command MSConfig. Click on the BOOT.INI tab and check the /SAFEBOOT box. Now when you boot, Windows will go into Safe mode. Naturally, when you no longer need Safe mode, Do not forget to go back and uncheck that box. Don't play with the other settings on this tab. You could wind up unable to get back into MSConfig to undo your changes.

Thanks Chuck.

Does this also apply to Windows 2000 Professional?
That's what I'm on.

http://www.jsiinc.com/SUBE/tip2000/rh2038.htm

Take a look at this url. I tried several things on my Windows 2000 computer and found out I cannot run Boot.ini which is a way around not having MsConfig as XP does. This does an explaination of what to click on when you have the Safe Mode Menu. Hope this helps.
Additional information: Safe Mode

Starts Windows 2000 using only basic files and drivers (mouse, except serial mice; monitor; keyboard; mass storage; base video; default system services; and no network connections). If your computer does not start successfully using safe mode, you may need to use the Emergency Repair Disk (ERD) feature to repair your system.

A disk, created by the Backup utility, that contains information about your current Windows system settings. You can use this disk to repair your computer if it will not start or if your system files are damaged or erased. Emergency Repair Disk is also called ERD.

Chuck,

Thanks for all your help. I think something may be wrong with my PC as I've tried various ways to get to Safe Mode and it just gets hung up on the DOS load screen.

I may have to take it into a shop.

But thanks again for your great and thorough replies.