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Thread ID: 21722 2002-07-02 08:52:00 FAQ 20: What is safe mode? How do I restart in Safe Mode? Elwin Way (229) Press F1
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59241 2002-07-02 08:52:00 FAQ 20: What is safe mode? How do I restart in Safe Mode?

Sometimes Windows will boot into what is called Safe Mode . This may happen after installing new hardware or software . Safe mode is a 'mode' of Windows that loads the bare minimum device drivers to get your computer working, and does not load programs that are normally loaded at startup (like ICQ) .

Safe Mode starts up automatically if Windows does not boot on the previous attempt . You can also invoke Safe Mode by pressing F5 or by pressing F8 and selecting it from the boot menu .

There are several things that happen when Windows boots in Safe Mode that differ from a standard boot:

-Safe Mode does not run the autoexec . bat or config . sys files .
-Most device drivers are not loaded . A device driver is the software that Windows uses to interact with a piece of hardware, such as a printer or scanner .
-Instead of the normal graphics device driver, Safe Mode uses standard VGA graphics mode . This mode is supported by all Windows-compatible video cards .
-Himem . sys, which is normally loaded as part of the config . sys script, is loaded with the /testmem:on switch . This switch tells the computer to test the extended memory before continuing .
-Safe Mode checks the msdos . sys file for information on where to find the rest of the Windows files . If it finds the files, it proceeds to load Windows in Safe Mode with the command win /d:m . If it does not find the Windows files, it will run command . com to bring up a C: prompt .
-Windows boots using a batch file called system . cb instead of the standard system . ini file . This file loads the Virtual Device Drivers (VxDs) that Windows uses to communicate with the standard parts of the computer .
-Windows now loads the regular system . ini file plus win . ini and Registry settings . It skips the [Boot] (except for the shell and device lines) and [386Enh] sections of system . ini and does not load or run any programs listed in win . ini .
-The Windows desktop loads up in 16 colors and at a resolution of 640 x 480 with the words "Safe Mode" in each corner .

Safe mode is designed for troubleshooting . Sometimes a new piece of hardware may conflict with an existing one . A good example is usally found when upgrading your sound card . You may find that it conflicts with the modem . It may also be a corrupt registry, in which case you might be best reinstalling Windows .

By going into safe mode, you can open up system properties and check for conflicts, or you can check for device driver problems etc . Because Safe Mode does not load the normal hardware drivers, it will allow Windows to run properly .

Alternatively, if your computer boots into Safe Mode after installing a new program, the problem may lie with the new program preventing Windows from starting normally . You may safely uninstall or setup the new program in safe mode .

Sometimes you may want to get into Safe Mode manually in order to change a setting or remove/update a driver while it is not loaded . Another reason is to perform system maintenance like runing scandisk and defrag while the system is 'free' of running tasks .



**To start Windows in Safe mode:**

1 . Start Windows, or if it is running, shut Windows down and turn off the computer .

2 . Restart the computer . The computer begins processing a set of instructions known as the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) . What is displayed depends on the BIOS manufacturer . Some computers display a progress bar that refers to the word BIOS, while others may not display any indication that this process is happening .

3 . As soon as the BIOS has finished loading, begin tapping the F8 key on your keyboard . Continue to do so until the Windows Advanced Options menu appears .

NOTE: If you begin tapping the F8 key too soon, some computers will generate a "keyboard error" message . Please restart and try again .

4 . Using the arrow keys on the keyboard, scroll to and select the Safe mode menu item, and then press Enter .

NOTE: On some computers, this can be quite difficult . If you are not successful and the computer starts in normal mode, try again .


*Alternate method (Windows XP only)*
The preceding methods may be difficult on some extremely fast computers . This is an alternative to start Windows in Safe mode:

1 . Click on Start, and then click Run .
2 . Type msconfig and then click OK .
3 . Click the Boot . ini tab .
4 . In the Boot Options section, check the /SAFEBOOT .
5 . Click OK to save your changes and restart the computer .


When you have finished troubleshooting the problem, repeat the procedure and uncheck / SAFEBOOT .

**Additional information**
There are three types of Safe mode that are available in some versions of Windows . In most cases you should select the Safe Mode menu item unless you are instructed otherwise . The following is an explanation of the three types of Safe mode that you see on the menu:

::Safe Mode::
Windows will start in Safe mode . The Windows interface will be somewhat different; menus and icons will be larger and may be in different locations . You will not have access to the Internet or a network .

::Safe Mode with Networking::
Windows will start in Safe mode as mentioned above . In addition, network drivers will be loaded, and you should have network access . You may have Internet access if you access it across a network instead of a dial-up connection .

::Safe Mode with Command Prompt::
Windows will start in Safe mode with a black MS-DOS screen . No Windows interface is displayed and network drivers are not loaded . 		Elwin Way (229)
59242 2002-07-02 09:29:00 ok first tip ....a lot of systems (not all) will boot into safemode by holding down shift key while booting pc after bios screen (but as with some pc you cannot see the bios screen so hold down shift, if pc halts then release key for a second, then hold down shift key again)

>It may also be a corrupt registry, in which case you might be best reinstalling Windows.

might be better to leave that bit out.

>Because Safe Mode does not load the normal hardware drivers, it will allow Windows to run properly.

er..not really. try "Because Safe Mode does not load the normal hardware drivers you will have limited functions eg no cddrive, add on cards may not work. " 		tweak'e (174)
59243 2003-04-15 12:43:00 The "safe mode" is great if you or "someone else" tweaks around with your monitor settings, and the monitor displays a picture as if the horizontal hold is lost,

e.g. if the highest monitor resolution is only 800*600 and someone tries to display 1024*576, the display will display a setting as if the horizontal hold is lost, just reboot to safe mode and put the settings back to 800*600 		E.ric (351)
59244 2003-04-15 20:42:00 You might also add that how (or even if) you can do it may depend on the version(s) of windows and the boot setup you use.

I have dual boot XP and 98, and have some trouble (not necessarily insuperable) getting the 98 into safe mode. Holding down F5 or F8 or crtl during the boot does NOT work. 		rugila (214)
59245 2004-08-25 11:33:00 I am stuck on this one . There is some good information here for anyone who wants to read it and it would be a shame to lose it, BUT . . . would anyone want to read it all?

Have to admit this is the first time I have actually looked at this FAQ, or if I have I can't remember looking at it before .

Maybe the most important information should be at the very top, eg how to start in Safe Mode, with the rest underneath?

Any suggestions please? 		-FAQ- (807)
59246 2004-08-25 21:39:00 On some motherboards (like this one Asus P4P800), you have to press F8 twice. As F8 on this mobo also brings up a window, where u can select a device you want to boot from (if you press F8 after post).

And then press F8 again, before the XP logo appears.

So, yup it also depends on the mobo, on whether you press F8 once or twice, before you can get into safe mode. 		Spacemannz (808)
59247 2004-08-25 22:08:00 > Maybe the most important information should be at the very top, eg how > to start in Safe Mode, with the rest underneath?

It has most of what is needed . It does need to be rearranged but, I think it has to be arranged in specific OS sections with a contents list at the top so people only have to go to the section(s) they require . In that way the FAQ may actually get a bit longer but with clearly defined sections overall reading will be much less .

For eg, auotexec . bat and DOS are not relevant to win2k and XP, some versions will only boot to Safe Mode if you hit the right key (usually F8) at the exact moment windows begins to load, people will have to experiment with how their setup works .

If it is too long people "may" not read it . If it does not impart the right information or leaves out critcal steps then it is a waste of time . If it is well ordered length is not really an issue, the value of all the information it contains should always overide the lowest common denominator's abilitities at comprehension but with the right layout learning is still possible in smaller steps . ie, don't throw the baby out with the bathwater .



Cheers Murray P 		Murray P (44)
59248 2004-08-26 05:33:00 Thanks Murray, I will rearrange it a bit and improve the layout. Might leave this one until the easier ones have been done first. -FAQ- (807)
59249 2004-08-26 05:36:00 Thanks for that info Spacemannz, will include that in the revision.

If anyone knows of other ways to get into Safe Mode that have not been mentioned in this FAQ it would be good if you could please list them here. 		-FAQ- (807)
59250 2004-08-26 06:17:00 not sure with 2k/xp but in 98/me in msconfig/advanced you can enable startup menu so you can pick which optoin you need. saves hitting f8 or holding shift each time you want to get into safe mode. handy for trouble shooting. also tweakUI has a similer optoin as well. tweak'e (174)
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