Safe Mode: Windows 8 explorer does not stop restarting

geoorgge

Reputable
Jun 10, 2014
2
0
4,510
Via msconfig boot options, I enabled safe boot like described here:
http://www.howtogeek.com/107511/how-to-boot-into-safe-mode-on-windows-8-the-easy-way/

I rebooted and I entered the safe mode. Unfortunately Windows explorer restarted every second and I was not able to do what I originally wanted to do in safe mode.

Moreover, since explorer restarted and showed the safe mode message every second, it was very difficult to use msconfig again and remove the safe boot option.

Rebooting with advanced options did and even the re-establishment of a system restore point did not help, because the default boot to "safe mode" remained. Since I boot from SSD, the F8/Shift F8 do not work anymore, I could not switch to normal boot again but had to boot always in the crappy safe mode.

I finally managed to access msconfig via task manager and remove the safe boot option despite explorer restarting every second.

The message on the continuous explorer restart is "The instruction at 0x9000ee7 referenced memory at 0x00000018. The memory could not be read.

How can I use safe mode one day again?
 
Solution
Best create a Recovery disk if you don't have an Installation Disk to boot from in case the situation re-occurs
Recovery Disk
Insert Blank CD/USB Pendrive
Type ‘Create’ at the Start Screen.
Choose ‘Create a Recovery Drive’ from Settings.
Follow on-screen instructions (Don’t copy Recovery Partition)

Meanwhile try Safe Mode from a different approach.
Restart your PC whilst holding down your 'Shift' Key and choose 'Troubleshoot' and Advanced Options to restart your System in Safe Mode. If you encounter the same problem reboot your PC by changing your Boot Device to CD/USB, should be able to avoid the constant loop.

Recommend you run Windows Diagnostics to check for faults
First try System File Checker
Windows key plus 'X'
Choose...
Best create a Recovery disk if you don't have an Installation Disk to boot from in case the situation re-occurs
Recovery Disk
Insert Blank CD/USB Pendrive
Type ‘Create’ at the Start Screen.
Choose ‘Create a Recovery Drive’ from Settings.
Follow on-screen instructions (Don’t copy Recovery Partition)

Meanwhile try Safe Mode from a different approach.
Restart your PC whilst holding down your 'Shift' Key and choose 'Troubleshoot' and Advanced Options to restart your System in Safe Mode. If you encounter the same problem reboot your PC by changing your Boot Device to CD/USB, should be able to avoid the constant loop.

Recommend you run Windows Diagnostics to check for faults
First try System File Checker
Windows key plus 'X'
Choose Command Prompt (Admin)
Type sfc /scannow then Enter

It finds and fixes errors in Windows, but doesn't always report them. Run it and see if the fault disappears after re-booting your system
If corrupt files are found that can’t be fixed, try

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth (Observe spaces before /)

Re-run SFC

To view CBS Log

findstr /c:"[SR]" %windir%\logs\cbs\cbs.log >sfcdetails.txt

Search C drive for sfcdetails.txt or navigate to C:\Windows\System32 and scroll down.

(Probably a good idea to run the Dism Command anyway…)
 
Solution