How
to Boot Your Computer into Safe ModeWhen your computer starts up in regular
mode, it loads everything it needs to perform like it was intended to. This includes
Antivirus software, messaging programs, etc... However, when you are experiencing
a hardware or software problem, your computer may not function properly, or man
not even boot at all. One basic technique you need to know how to do to conduct
basic repair and maintenance on your PC is how to get into Safe Mode. Safe
Mode is a diagnostic mode of Windows, and is available in Windows 95, 98, ME,
2000, and XP. When your computer is booted into Safe Mode, your CD ROM may not
work, your peripherals will not function, your screen may look funny, and you
will not have any sound. This is completely normal, because in Safe Mode only
the most essential components of Windows are loaded into memory. Select
the directions below that pertain to your operating system. Once you have done
what your need to do, simply restart your computer to reboot back into Normal
Mode.
Windows
98/Me

Windows 98/Me We recommend that you use the System
Configuration Utility to get into Safe mode, however, the F8 key can also be used.
To use the System Configuration Utility to start Windows 98/Me in Safe
mode - Close all open programs.
- Click Start >
Run.
- In the Run dialog box, type msconfig and
then click OK.

- On the General tab, click Advanced
Windows Me will look a bit different
than the picture below. 
- In the Advanced Troubleshooting Settings dialog box, check Enable Startup
Menu, and then click OK.

- Click OK again when the System Configuration Utility reappears.
- When
you are asked to restart the computer, click Yes.
- When the Windows
98 (or Me) Startup Menu appears, select Safe Mode and press Enter.
The computer restarts with Windows in Safe mode. (This can take several minutes.)
When you are finished working in Safe mode, use the System Configuration Utility
to start Windows 98/Me in normal mode. To use the System Configuration
Utility to start Windows Me in normal mode - Finish what you
need to do in Safe mode.
- In the section "To use the System Configuration
Utility to start Windows 98/Me" above, repeat 1-6, but in step 5, uncheck
Enable Startup Menu.
- Close all programs, and restart the computer.
To use the F8 key to start Windows 98/Me in Safe mode - Restart
the computer.
- As the computer restarts, press and hold down the F8
key until the Windows 98/Me Startup menu appears.
- When the Windows 98 (or
Me) Startup Menu appears, select Safe Mode and press Enter.
Windows
starts in Safe mode. (This can take several minutes.)
Windows
2000

Windows 2000 The F8 key is the only way to get
into Safe mode. To use the F8 key to start Windows 2000 in Safe mode
- Restart the computer.
- When you see the black-and-white Starting
Windows bar at the bottom of the screen, start tapping the F8 key.
- In
the Windows 2000 Advanced Options Menu, select Safe mode if it is not selected.
If it is not selected, use the arrow keys to select it. - Press Enter.
Windows starts in Safe mode. (This can take several minutes.)
Windows
XP

Windows XP We recommend that you use the System
Configuration Utility to get into Safe mode, however, the F8 key can also be used.
To use the System Configuration Utility, you must log on to Windows XP with
an Administrator account. To use the System Configuration Utility
to start Windows XP in Safe mode - Close all open programs.
- Click Start > Run.
- In the Run dialog box, type msconfig
and then click OK.

- In the System Configuration Utility, on the BOOT.INI tab, check /SAFEBOOT.

- Click OK.
- When you are asked to restart the computer, click Restart.

The computer restarts in Safe mode. (This can take several minutes.) When
you are finished working in Safe mode, use the System Configuration Utility to
start Windows XP in normal mode. To use the System Configuration Utility
to start Windows XP in normal mode - Finish what you need
to do in Safe mode.
- In the section "To use the System Configuration Utility
to start Windows XP" above, repeat steps 1-7, but in step 4, uncheck /SAFEBOOT.
- Close all programs, and restart the computer.
To use the
F8 key to start Windows XP in Safe mode - Restart the computer.
Some computers have a progress bar that refers to the word BIOS. Others may not
let you know what is happening. - As soon as the BIOS loads, begin tapping the
F8 key on your keyboard. Do so until the Windows Advanced Options menu appears.
If you begin tapping the F8 key too soon, some computers display a "keyboard
error" message. If this happens, restart the computer and try again. - Using
the arrow keys on the keyboard, select Safe mode and then press Enter.
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