# Windows ME - won't boot, not even in safe mode **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 26, 2004, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-me-wont-boot-not-even-in-safe-mode/266209 "2004-09-26T22:54:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![XJETGIRLX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9fc29f/32.png) [@XJETGIRLX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XJETGIRLX)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2004, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-me-wont-boot-not-even-in-safe-mode/266209/1 "2004-09-26T22:54:34Z")
I’m hoping someone can help me. I’ve got a computer running Windows ME that won’t boot - not even in safe mode. It begins the boot process and hangs on the Windows ME splash screen - and won’t go any farther. If I try to boot in safe mode the same thing happens. Any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2004, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-me-wont-boot-not-even-in-safe-mode/266209/2 "2004-09-26T23:24:52Z")
Do you have a [WindowsMe startup disk](http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;267287)? It is a floppy disk with a basic operating system and diagnostic programs that can repair your WindowsMe registry. If so, start your computer with the startup disk in the floppy drive, then at the \*_c:\*_ prompt, type _scanreg /restore_ and hit return. This will let you select from recent registry save points that can be restored. With any luck, one of them will allow your compute to boot again. [Here is more information on scanreg](http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;267287) ---
**Author:** ![XJETGIRLX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9fc29f/32.png) [@XJETGIRLX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XJETGIRLX)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2004, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-me-wont-boot-not-even-in-safe-mode/266209/3 "2004-09-26T23:39:55Z")
No, unfortunately I don’t have a startup disk. It’s my parents’ computer and I’m trying to help them out. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2004, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-me-wont-boot-not-even-in-safe-mode/266209/4 "2004-09-26T23:57:10Z")
You can get the startup disk image here [www.bootdisk.com](http://www.bootdisk.com). Do this first though - 1:Unplug the machine from the wall or power strip 2: Take the top off the machine (while turned off). 3: Unplug then reseat all the drive ribbon data cables at both ends where they are plugged into the Motherboard and into the drive. 4: Unplug then reseat all the power leads to the drives. 5: Wiggle all the PCI cards gently, and make sure they are firmly seated in their slots. 6: If you can reach it remove and reinsert the DIMM memory modules. 7: Restart the machine See if that solves your problem before messing with the registry. ---
**Author:** ![XJETGIRLX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9fc29f/32.png) [@XJETGIRLX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XJETGIRLX)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2004, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-me-wont-boot-not-even-in-safe-mode/266209/5 "2004-09-27T00:59:31Z")
Thanks. I checked to make sure everything was plugged in/seated securely. I downloaded a boot disk and ran that, did scandisk and then restored from the most recent restore point - still no luck. It’s still just hanging on the ME screen and the disk is grinding. Any other ideas? ---
**Author:** ![XJETGIRLX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9fc29f/32.png) [@XJETGIRLX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XJETGIRLX)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2004, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-me-wont-boot-not-even-in-safe-mode/266209/6 "2004-09-27T01:04:38Z")
I let it run until I got this error message: ‘Windows could not upgrade the file %1 from %2 %1: %2’ ---
**Author:** ![XJETGIRLX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9fc29f/32.png) [@XJETGIRLX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XJETGIRLX)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2004, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-me-wont-boot-not-even-in-safe-mode/266209/7 "2004-09-27T01:05:41Z")
Wait - nevermind - it booted! Thanks for your help! ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2004, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-me-wont-boot-not-even-in-safe-mode/266209/8 "2004-09-27T01:20:49Z")
RE [Error Message: Windows Could Not Upgrade the File %1 from %2 %1: %2](Error Message: Windows Could Not Upgrade the File %1 from %2 %1: %2) > [@](#): > > SYMPTOMS > After you install a new program or update an existing program and then restart your computer, your computer may stop responding (hang), and you may receive the following error message: > > Windows could not upgrade the file %1 from %2 %1: %2 > Your computer may or may not continue to start after this error message. > CAUSE > This issue can occur if the Wininit.ini file is not processed correctly. > RESOLUTION > To resolve this issue, rename the Wininit.ini file: > Click Start, point to Search, and then click Files or Folders. > In the Named box, type wininit.ini. > In the Look in box, click Local Hard Drives. > Click Search Now. > Right-click the Wininit.ini file in the list of found items, and then click Rename. > Type Wininit.old, and then press ENTER. > Close the Search Results window. > Restart your computer. > Reinstall your program or update. Boot into DOS with the floppy and rename this file per the instructions. The DOS command “REN” command will rename file [Using rename under DOS](http://www.computerhope.com/renamehl.htm#01) I’m not sure what directory in wininit.ini is in. I begin by looking in c:\windows or c:\windows\system or c: The person in the link below thinks MS’s advice is poor and incomplete re this problem and offers (supposedly) a more complete solution. [Wininit.ini load 1% 2%](http://computing.net/windowsme/wwwboard/forum/43515.html)