dell xps laptop only works in safe mode

[novice]

My son's Dell XPS L501X runs super slow (like not at all) unless it is in safe mode with networking. In that way it seems to run fine. I have tried system restore at different set points and nothing there seemed to help. I have also run Microsoft's system scanner from a USB stick and it found nothing virus-wise. It has been a while since I have tried to trouble shoot a PC (I guess a testament as to how good Windows 7 is, as in much better than any of their previous OS's) I think it must be some kind of driver issue, probably a video driver. The laptop is one that has both the Intel on board graphics display and a Geforce GT420M display adapter. Any suggestions or ideas? I don't know if my son made the system restore disks for this laptop when he got it a couple of years ago and am not sure how best to proceed. Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[Jaydip]

I would start with disk first.Perform a hdd scan with chkdsk.

 

[FoxFifth]

If it works well in safe mode the following procedure may help you identify the problem. The section titled "How to determine what is causing the problem by performing a clean boot" offers instructions on how to identify the responsible item. It is a process of elimination that starts with turning off half of the Services (and later half of the Startup items) that run in normal mode (but not in Safe mode) and working forward from there. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

 

[John Connor]

It's more than likely a driver. I would go into BIOS and turn off the internal video card since there is one already.

 

[Matt1970]

I am with John in thinking it is a driver issue. However I would go into device manager and remove all the devices in safe mode. Then reboot normally windows will refresh all your drivers. You can also restore it back to the out-of-box state. To do that with Dell hit F8 at the first screen when you go to turn it on - Advanced Boot Options - select Repair Your Computer – English – Click Dell Factory Image Restore. That will delete all you files so back them up first.

 

[novice]

Thanks for the replies. I ran chkdsk, and it didn't find anything and no change. I will probably try the clean boot option tonight, and if that fails to correct it, will then go to the "nuclear option" with the factory image restore. He probably has a whole lot of garbage on it that needs to be cleaned up anyway. Thanks again. will let you know how it turns out.

 

[QuietDad]

It can also be that it loads up a ton of stuff at start up that's been added over time. Adobe, iTunes and other things install automatic software update programs and things and after awhile your laptop has alot of "support" programs loading, wasting memory and cpu cycles. If you familiar/comfortable with regedit, check the keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\Run

and delete all the stuff you don't need. Also check the STARTUP folder and see what's in there. You can also run MSCONFIG and it will show you whats loading and let you disable things there.

 

[John Connor]

There's an easier way. Download and install Startup CPL. If you download the .exe it will be in the control panel.

Edit- I like how the OP just skips past the apparent driver issue and never took my advice on disabling the internal video card.

 

[novice]

Thanks again for the replies. JC, I did try disabling the video cards (both of them) and rebooting, and no change. After further consultation, I decided to just go ahead and reinstall the OS. Realizing it could take many more hours trying to chase down the driver issue, it seemed the best option. I do appreciate all the replies and suggestions. If I had more confidence (and time) I would have enjoyed pursuing the issue in more detail, but my son is up at school and needs his laptop functioning before classes start. I don't think he really needs all his game data and music, since he needs to dedicate himself to studying.
Thanks again.

 

[denis280]

I don't think he really needs all his game data and music, since he needs to dedicate himself to studying.

Yes more important:thumbsup: