Looks like safe mode but not???

[PcId10t]

I turned on my computer and it starts up just fine, when windows(98 ) loads though it looks like the background in safe mode(but it is not safe mode). My resolution is wrong and my mouse, usb, cd burner and internet explorer wont work. I have no problem re-formatting but I have pics of my son I do not want to lose. This is sooo very important. Can anyone please give suggestions on what it might be or what i can do?

[Dave@Bytes]

Have you done anything to the PC recently that might have caused this--installed new software or hardware?

What kind of PC do you have--a custom machine or major brand?

Try Safe mode by pressing the F8 key several time when booting. Can you use the mouse here?

Lastly, what version of Windows is this?

[PcId10t]

I have not Loaded anything new like in 2 months. Its a gateway and using windows 98. My mouse does work in safe mode but thats it.

[Kwagmyre]

I would lower the hardware acceleration rate by two notches and see what happens. If this improves things, the video card has problems(drivers or maybe the card itself).

[PcId10t]

If there was something wrong with my video card would it not effect the whole startup, like all screens? Every other screen looks fine except Windows desktop. I have gateway go-back and that screen looks ok, the loading windows screen looks ok.Just the desktop is funny looking and no mouse. I will definately try anything but like I said my mouse does not work so....

[Kwagmyre]

Well, maybe you're right but still see what happens following the suggestion I made.

[PcId10t]

Tried slowing hardware acceloration down, and still no change. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Kwagmyre]

OK, this time go into the Device Manager and see if there are any yellow exclamation or question marks next to any devices. You could do that in Safe mode in fact and delete those and reboot and then see what happens.

[PcId10t]

Thank you for that suggestion. I think I have got what i needed. I reinstalled my windows and the mouse and burner works at least. The background and pixel size is still messed up but at least I was able to get the files i needed burned to disk. The pictures are safe. With that being done do I just need to reformat and reinstall windows? or just delete and reinstall windows? Those are the options its giving me and not sure which one I should select?

Thanks Again

[sgtjoy]

Thank you for that suggestion. I think I have got what i needed. I reinstalled my windows and the mouse and burner works at least. The background and pixel size is still messed up but at least I was able to get the files i needed burned to disk. The pictures are safe. With that being done do I just need to reformat and reinstall windows? or just delete and reinstall windows? Those are the options its giving me and not sure which one I should select?

Thanks Again

If you have what you need.....just do a fresh install. You should repartition and reformat, then install windows..installing over what you have is not only a waste of hard drive space but not recommended.