XP Safe mode/network

[BOAC]

By all accounts (Google) there is no option to connect to a LAN in Safe Mode, which is a shame since it would enable another weapon in virus cleansing. Mine does not 'see' the LAN adapter in Safe. What exactly IS "Safe Mode with Network" and what can I use it for?

[Saab Dastard]

From MS:

Safe Mode with Networking (SAFEBOOT_OPTION=Network): This option uses a minimal set of device drivers and services to start Windows together with the drivers that you must have to load networking.

SD

[BOAC]

That's where I fall into the ignorance pit! What exactly does that mean? How will I connect to a 'network' if my LAN is not seen? What is 'load networking'?

[Bushfiva]

Wired LAN only.

[BOAC]

If by that you mean RJ45 to router, that is what I have. NVidia Nforce 10./100 Ethernet. Not there!

[Saab Dastard]

Works for me.

What doesn't work for you?

SD

[BOAC]

Well, like I said, my ethernet card just ain't there!

[DG101]

BOAC

Try disconnecting or unplugging your router before booting XP in Safe Mode.

No guarantee, but I had a similar problem that was solved by connecting to the router after the PC had completed the full boot up sequence.

[BOAC]

Thanks DG - will try later today.

[Saab Dastard]

BOAC, do you mean that the NIC drivers aren't loaded or that the IP stack isn't loaded or that it hasn't got an IP address configuration?

SD

[BOAC]

I just wish I knew! I don't know how to check any of that. Ethernet is on the mobo and runs normally in 'Normal' mode but is not even shown as Hardware in Safe Mode. .

I have also discovered that while I can 'enable' my wireless adapter in S Mode and it shows a connection and speed, I cannot connect to the internet with it.

DG - no joy there, I'm afraid.

[BOAC]

Anyone able to offer advice on what to do re post #10? Simple English preferred

[BOAC]

I would very much appreciate some Windows guru help here.

Can someone explain why a mobo ethernet chip is seen (and working) in normal mode but disappears in Safe with networking mode - and how to 'reinstall' it?

[BOAC]

No. Not me Sir/Madam.
Any Windows gurus on call?

[BOAC]

Saab post #6 - "Works for me."

Does not work for me. I cannot see that it is just a driver issue - the mobo ethernet chip is not even SEEN in safe mode. If it were drivers I could reinstall from the mobo CD.

I can see my wireless card, and it can 'see' the wireless network, but even then I don't seem able to connect that either. Bizarre. What can block the ethernet adapter in Safe mode? As I understand it I need neither drivers, services nor software just to see the adapter in device mgr - is that correct?

[Bushfiva]

BOAC, what's the machine (& motherboard if you know it)?

[BOAC]

Bf - Winfast (Foxpro) NF4UK8AC I think but Sys info comes up with a NF-CK804.

Proc is AMD Ahtlon 64 3000+ (939)

Once again - Ethernet is NOT SHOWN in device manager in Safe Mode with networking. No exclamation mark as there is nothing to 'exclaim'.

Tis there in normal. Has been uninstalled (in normal) and 're-installed'. Driver installation run in Safe mode from CDRom. Not sure where I will find the network drivers - are they not irrelevant at the moment? - but I would have assumed that the board CD driver installation would have done the job.

Back to Socal #14 - is there a known infection that paralyses only ethernet connections in Safe Mode?

Thanks for info on Wireless card. (Surprised, however, that it can see a network in Safe!)

[BOAC]

How does it go? "here is no such thing as a stupid question..........."

Unless my menu is crook, I am selecting correctly. The desktop does not show any reference, however, to 'Safe mode with networking' but just 'Safe Mode'. How can I check? Am I correct in assuming that if it shows the wireless card it is ok?

[BOAC]

From post #22

Unless my menu is crook, I am selecting correctly.

- you are correct about the symptoms!

EDIT: I've just run my HP Laptop (XP Home SP3) in that mode and there is perfect internet connection and a visible adapter. Am I perhaps missing some registry keys?

I've just compared the SAFEBOOT/NETWORK keys and they are identical except for a procexp90.sys, Data 'Driver' on the problem desktop (XP PRO SP3) which is not on the lap. (Different adapter). Cannot locate the .sys on the machine. According to info it should be in sys32/drivers.

[Saab Dastard]

procexp90.sys is part of Process Explorer, the Task Manager replacement you have installed.

Hard to see that stopping the NIC drivers loading.

SD