📎 AI Summary:
The WindowsForum thread discusses a user’s issue with a 32-bit Vista laptop that only boots into safe mode, as normal startup results in a blank screen after the Windows logo. Attempts to troubleshoot, including enabling BaseVideo and using an external monitor, have not resolved the problem, and virus scans along with system file checks have shown no critical issues. The overall sentiment suggests the user is seeking further advice to diagnose and fix the boot problem, but no definitive solution has been provided in the thread.
S

Sad Vista User11

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Sep 24, 2013
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Thread Author #1
I have a 32-bit Vista Home Premium Acer labtop which will only boot in safe mode. If I try to start it normally, it loads the Acer logo, then the Windows Vista loading icon, then a blank screen. After the screen turns blank, the Windows welcome sound plays, but no login page appears.

I have run a disk check, a virus scan, and used sfc /scannow from safe mode. The disk check and virus scan are clean. The sfc /scannow failed with an error about being unable to repair SmiInstaller.dll. I have no System Restore points available.

Does anyone have any suggestions about what I could try? Thanks!
 

Solution
Saltgrass
You might try an external monitor, if you have something you can use. The fact the system makes the Welcome sound would indicate to me it is still booting, but I could be wrong.
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Saltgrass

Saltgrass

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#2
Have you checked to make sure you do not have the laptop display turned off? Sounds like it is changing resolution then you no longer have the video.

You could also use the BaseVideo (or whatever it is called in Vista) option in msconfig.exe from safe mode to test.
 

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S

Sad Vista User11

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Joined
Sep 24, 2013
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Thread Author #3
Thanks for the suggestion. I tried both the "BaseVideo" mode and "Enable VGA" mode from the F8 startup menu. Unfortunately, I still get the blank screen. I also looked in device manager and there are no items with yellow exclamation marks.
 

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Saltgrass

Saltgrass

Excellent Member
Microsoft Community Contributor
Joined
Oct 16, 2009
Messages
15,153
#4
You might try an external monitor, if you have something you can use. The fact the system makes the Welcome sound would indicate to me it is still booting, but I could be wrong.
 

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