While Windows is a versatile and powerful operating system, there are times that it can be frustrating. This frustration is particularly evident when you install a new software application or add drivers for some new hardware. Suddenly, the computer crashes or locks up. You reboot the computer and it loads a strange looking Windows desktop with the words Safe Mode in the four corners. What is this?
An operating system in safe mode will have reduced functionality, but the task of isolating problems is easier because many non-core components are disabled(turned off).
Safe Mode is a special way for Windows to load when there is a system-critical problem that interferes with the normal operation of Windows. The purpose of Safe Mode is to allow you to troubleshoot Windows and try to determine what is causing it to not function correctly. Once you have corrected the problem, then you can reboot and Windows will load normally.
Users who may not be able to boot into normal mode or are not able to troubleshoot their computer properly may need to boot into Safe Mode bypassing normal windows settings and startup programs and allowing the user to fix their computer.
To get into the Windows 2000 / XP Safe mode, as the computer is booting press and hold your "F8 Key" which should bring up the "Windows Advanced Options Menu" as shown below. Use your arrow keys to move to "Safe Mode" and press your Enter key.
Which Safe Mode option should I choose?
Users who are running later versions of Windows will get several different options for different types of Safe Mode. For example, you may have options for "Safe Mode", "Safe Mode with Networking", and "Safe Mode with Command Prompt". Below is a brief description of each of these different modes.
- Safe Mode
The basic Safe Mode option is usually what most users will want to choose when troubleshooting their computer. This is the most basic Safe Mode option and has no additional support.
- Safe Mode with Networking
For users needing access to the Internet or the network they're connected to while in Safe Mode users may wish to choose this option. This mode is helpful for when you need to be in Safe Mode to troubleshoot but also need access to the Internet so you can get updates, drivers, or other files to help troubleshoot your issue.
- Safe Mode with Command Prompt
This Safe Mode would also allow you to have access to the command line (MS-DOS prompt).
How do I get out of Safe Mode?
From Windows Safe Mode click Start / Shutdown and restart the computer. This should start the computer automatically back into Normal Mode.
Your computer boots to Safe Mode?
So what should you do if your computer boots to Safe Mode?
- First, try to determine what has changed on your system that could have caused Windows to fail to boot properly. If you have added any kind of hardware, go to the Control Panel and remove it and uninstall the software driver for that device. Then attempt a reboot. If Windows boots properly, you can be reasonably certain that there was some type of conflict with the device and try to resolve it.
- If the problem is definitely not new hardware or software, then you most likely have a corrupted Registry. In this case, you will quite likely have to perform a new installation of Windows to set things right.
I hope this article helps you out !!!
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