Windows ME keeps starting in Safe Mode

[Charlie7940]

My computer was working fine, and this evening while I was playing a game I got an error message which stated i needed to restart my computer. Now everytime I restart my computer, it boots up in safe mode. I hit F8 and selected to boot in normal mode, however it still boots me up in safe mode every time. Anyone know what is wrong?

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank You!

[glc]

I would click on the system restore link on the safe mode desktop and do a system restore back to the day before when things were working right.

[mq1]

you could go into control panel,system,and then device manager and
see if anything is wrong.Thats assuming you know what kind of
equipment you have and see if there is multiple listings of anything.
Didnt just install any programs did you?if so maybe it changed something.
mq1

[Charlie7940]

I haven't installed any programs recently, however i did just put in another stick of 256mb memory. I did this last night too. It recognizes the memory and says it is in there.

[rjfvillarosa]

I would do as GLC suggests and carry out a system restore, if it happens again after the system restore try removing the memory stick and again try a system restore, sometimes problems like this are trial and error to find the cause.

[Charlie7940]

I have tried a system restore...however it is always unsuccessful. I unchecked "disable system restore" and it still does not work.

Is it possible it coulde be spyware? I have Spybot Search & Destroy, Spysweeper, norton antivirus 2005, and ad-aware se. Ad-aware always finds a process called "deskadserv.exe" and it can never be removed. I tried to delete it physically and it says the program can not be deleted because it is running. I disabled it in msconfig however it still starts up everytime I reboot. What do I do?

Thanks for the suggestions.

[glc]

If system restore was disabled, you don't have that option now - there are no restore points.

Run your scans in safe mode.

Just because the memory is recognized does not mean it isn't defective or incompatible.

[rjfvillarosa]

I don't know how familiar you are with system restore and safemode but have a read of this thread and see if it sheds any light on the subject for you, it may also help you to find a way of clearing out "deskadserv.exe" .
http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=115633

[GaryRouth]

. . . just wanted to let you know that I left a reply in your other thread here in this forum [the DeskAdService thread], so you can check in on it there if you'd like.

Also, try removing the new 256 memory module while doing any troubleshooting for the malware. It's pretty difficult sorting some of those infections out without adding possibly flaky memory corrupting files into the picture.

Once you've sent DeskAdAssistant on it's way to NeverLand, then you can test the new memory. MemTest86 gets recommended a lot http://www.memtest.org Also, if you're not sure what the best exact-match memory module for your system is, a quick check with the motherboard manual, or a check over at Crucial.com (and using it's memory-finding tool, the "Memory Advisor" - in the middle of their homepage http://www.crucial.com ) will show you a detailed description of the right kind of memory. If the 256mb module you added isn't of the same type, that might be a source of trouble.

Best of luck,
. . . Gary

. . . and just for others reading this who don't want to journey over to the other thread for the reply I posted there: it mainly mentions the option to try using the HiJackThis methods for removing stubborn pests.