Knowledge Base

Article Summary : This article provides information on what safe mode is and how to boot to it in Windows XP on your PC.

Table of Contents :

1. What is Safe Mode?
2. How to Boot to Safe Mode
3. Safe Mode options explained

1. What is Safe Mode?

Safe Mode is a series of boot options that starts Windows with a limited set of files and drivers. Most start-up programs won't run in safe mode It uses only the most basic drivers to start Windows up.

Safe mode is used for troubleshooting problems with programs or drivers that won't start correctly or that could be stopping Windows from running correctly. If the problem isn't seen in safe mode, you can go ahead and rule out the default settings and the basic device drivers as being at fault. If a new program, device or driver stops Windows from running properly, you can start your computer in safe mode and then remove the program that's causing the problem.

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2. How to Boot to Safe Mode

1. Click the Start button and then click on Shut Down from the start menu.

2. Click on Restart from the options and then click OK.

3. When your PC starts back up, but before Windows launches tap rapidly on the <F8> key. (On a system with multiple operating systems (OS), you can tap the <F8> key when the boot menu appears.)

4. The Advanced Menu should appear.

   1. (With only 1 OS installed.) Use the cursor <ARROW> keys to highlight your chosen safe mode option and press the <ENTER> key.

      Note : NUM LOCK must be off before the arrow keys on the numeric keypad will function.

   3. (With a dual-boot or multiple-boot system.) Choose the OS that you need to access using the cursor <ARROW> keys and press the <ENTER> key.

5. You want to make sure you Log on to your PC with an Administrator account.

6. Your should now be in safe mode, you should see the words Safe Mode in the corners of the screen. once you've finished and you want to exit safe mode, just restart your PC as normal and let Windows start up normally.

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3. Safe Mode options explained

There are three different types of Safe Mode possible on the Advanced Boot Options menu :

Safe Mode

Starts Windows with the minimum of drivers and services possible.

Safe Mode with Networking

Same as Safe Mode, but includes the drivers and services needed to enable the network. (You also need this mode if you need to plug peripherals like a USB key to the system.)

Safe Mode with Command Prompt

Same as Safe Mode but the Command Prompt as the user interface instead of the windows desktop Graphical User Interface (GUI).

Generally it's advised to try Safe Mode first. If that doesn't work, then try either Safe Mode with Command Prompt if you're comfortable with command line commands and troubleshooting or Safe Mode with Networking if you're going to need network/Internet access and have tools you need to load onto the system.

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