SOLVED - safe mode boot stops on isapnp.sys
Faced this issue today. customer complained that he is unable to start his computer.
It goes past the BIOS screen and the screen turns blank.
When we tried to login to SAFE mode the computer stopped at ISAPNP.SYS
Finally we tried the 'VGA mode' and were able to get to the login screen
We logged in, did a virus scan, updated Windows and rebooted.
The computer works fine.