Safe mode is the Windows
diagnostics mode. In the Safe mode,
only the specific components that are needed to run Windows are loaded. Safe mode does not allow some functions, such
as a connection to the Internet. Safe mode also loads a standard video driver
at a low resolution. Due to the low
resolution, your programs and the Windows desktop may look different than usual
and the desktop icons may have moved to different locations on the desktop.
The advantage of Safe Mode comes
because many of the annoying startup programs will not be automatically loaded
as they did during a normal startup, which will help prevent errors, as well as
freeing up valuable memory to return the performance you need to install and
run programs for dealing with the Spyware.
How to enter the Safe Mode varies for different versions of Windows.
This
document provides two methods for starting the computer in Safe Mode. One method uses the F8 key during system
startup, and the other method uses the System Configuration Utility, which is a
feature of some Windows operating systems.
Please note the following:
System Configuration
Utility: If you try the System Configuration Utility and cannot start its dialog
box, use the F8 method instead. If the
System Configuration Utility method is not listed for your operating system,
the utility is not available in that operating system.
F8 key: Using the F8 key can be
more difficult than using the System Configuration Utility because you must
press the F8 key at just the right time.
If the F8 method does not work, repeat the steps, but press the F8 key
more quickly, or press it several times.
If the F8 key still does not work, use the System Configuration Utility
method instead. On some older
computers, the F8 key method does not work because the computer has disabled
the F8 key for this purpose or the computer is designed to use a different key.
Win 95 Win 98 Win ME Win 2K Win XP Win MultiBoot
WINDOWS 95
Windows
95 does not include the System Configuration Utility.
To
use the F8 method
·
Restart the computer.
·
Watch the screen while it is black.
When you see "Starting Windows 95," immediately press the F8
key. Windows starts in Safe mode.
WINDOWS 98/ME
Windows
98/Me includes the System Configuration Utility. If you can start the computer normally into Windows, this is the
easiest--and the recommended way--to restart the computer in Safe mode.
To
use the System Configuration Utility method
·
Close all open programs.
·
Click Star > Run. The Run
dialog box appears.
·
As shown in this illustration, type msconfig and then click OK.
·
In the System Configuration Utility, click "Advanced." (Windows Me will look a bit different than
the illustration.)
·
In the Advanced Troubleshooting Settings dialog box, check Enable
Startup Menu, as is shown here. Click
OK. Click OK again when the System
Configuration Utility reappears.
·
You will be prompted to restart the computer. Click Yes. The computer
will restart in Safe mode. (This can
take several minutes.)
·
Perform the troubleshooting steps for which you are using Safe Mode.
·
When you are finished with troubleshooting in Safe mode repeat steps
1-6, but in step 5, uncheck "Enable Start-up Menu."
·
Close all programs and restart the computer as you normally would.
To
use the F8 method
·
Restart the computer.
·
As the computer restarts, press and hold down the F8 key until the
Windows 98 startup menu appears.
·
Choose Safe mode from the startup menu, and then press Enter. Windows starts in Safe mode.
Windows 2000 does not include the System
Configuration Utility.
Note: Some IT departments or
computer manufacturers may include the System Configuration Utility as part of
a custom Windows 2000 installation.
They could include either Windows 98/Me or Windows XP version as either
will run on Windows 2000. (This use of
the System Configuration Utility is not supported by Microsoft.) If you can start Windows 2000 normally, and
the System Configuration Utility is installed on your computer, follow the
instructions for Windows 98/Me or XP (depending on your version). Otherwise, continue with the instructions in
this section.
To
use the F8 method
·
If the computer is running, shut down Windows, and then turn off the
power.
·
Wait 30 seconds, and then turn the computer on.
·
When you see the black-and-white Starting Windows bar at the bottom of
the screen, start tapping the F8 key.
The Windows 2000 Advanced Options Menu appears.
·
Ensure that the Safe mode option is selected. In most cases, it is the
first item in the list and is selected by default. (If it is not selected, use the arrow keys to select it.)
·
Press Enter. The computer then
begins to start in Safe mode. This can
take a few minutes.
·
When you are finished with all troubleshooting, close all programs and
restart the computer as you normally would.
Note
1: Due to the nature of Safe mode in Windows XP, it is not possible to
install software while in Safe mode.
Note
2: When you finish the troubleshooting or
removal procedure, if you are using the first (recommended) method, you must
reenable Normal mode. Until you do
this, the computer will continue to start in Safe mode.
Windows
XP includes the System Configuration Utility. If you can start the computer
normally and get into Windows, this is the easiest--and the recommended way--to
restart the computer in Safe mode.
To
use the System Configuration Utility method
·
Close all open programs.
·
Click Start, and then click Run. The Run dialog box appears.
·
As shown in this illustration, type msconfig and then click OK.
·
The System Configuration Utility appears, as shown in the following
illustration. Check the "/SAFEBOOT" option, and then click OK.
·
Click Restart when prompted.
·
The computer restarts in Safe mode. (This can take several minutes.)
·
Perform the troubleshooting steps for which you are using Safe Mode.
·
When finished with Safe mode troubleshooting, repeat 1st 5 steps, but uncheck "/SAFEBOOT"
·
Close all programs and restart computer as you normally would.
To use the F8 method
Use this method only if Windows XP is the only operating system installed on
your computer.
·
Start Windows, or if it is running, shut Windows down, and then turn off
the computer.
·
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.
·
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. If you begin tapping the F8 key too soon, some computers display a
"keyboard error" message. To resolve this, restart the computer and
try again.
·
Using the arrow keys on the keyboard, scroll to and select the Safe mode
menu item, and then press Enter.
WINDOWS AS PART OF A MULTIBOOT SYSTEM
Use
this method ONLY if you have multiple operating systems installed on your
computer.
·
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.
·
When the Boot loader menu (list of the available operating systems) appears,
use the arrow keys on the keyboard to select the version Windows what you want
to safe boot into.
·
Press Enter, and then immediately begin tapping the F8 key. The Windows Advanced Options menu appears.
·
Using the arrow keys on the keyboard, scroll to and select the Safe mode
menu item, and then press Enter.