How to start Windows in Safe Mode (Part 2)

Windows 2000

Windows 2000 can only boot
into Safe Mode using the F8 method as it does not have a System Configuration Utility.


Using the F8 Method:

1. Restart your computer.

2. When the machine first starts again it will generally list some equipment that is installed in your machine, amount of memory, hard drives installed etc. When that is completed it will start loading Windows.
3. When you see the screen that has a black and white bar at the bottom stating "Starting Windows", tap the F8 key repeatedly until you get to the Windows 2000 Advanced Options Menu
4. At this menu use the arrow keys to select the Safe Mode option, which is usually the first in the list.
5. Press the enter key.
6. Your computer will continue booting, but now will boot into Safe Mode.
7. Do whatever tasks you require and when you are done reboot to boot back into normal mode.

Windows XP
Using the F8 Method:
1. Restart your computer.

2. When the machine first starts again it will generally list some equipment that is installed in your machine, amount of memory, hard drives installed etc. At this point you should gently tap the F8 key repeatedly until you are presented with a Windows XP Advanced Options menu.
3. Select the option for Safe Mode using the arrow keys.
4. Then press enter on your keyboard to boot into Safe Mode.
5.Do whatever tasks you require and when you are done reboot to boot back into normal mode.

Using the System Configuration Tool Method:


Note: If you are having trouble entering Safe Mode via the F8 method, you should not use this method to force it to startup into safe mode. For reasons why, you should read this.

Step 1: Close all programs so that you have nothing open and are at the desktop.

Step 2: Click on the Start button then click on Run.
Step 3: In the Run field type msconfig as shown in the image below.

Step 4: Press the OK button and the System Configuration Utility will start up. You will then see a screen similar to Figure 5 below.

Step 5: Click on the tab labeled "BOOT.INI" which is designated by the red box in Figure 5 above. You will then be presented with a screen similar to Figure 6 below.

Step 6: Put a checkmark in the checkbox labeled "/SAFEBOOT" designated by the red box in Figure 6 above. Then press the OK button. After pressing the button you will be presented with a confirmation box as shown in Figure 7 below.

Step 7: Press the Restart button and let the computer reboot. It will now boot up into Safe Mode.

Step 8: When the computer boots up do what diagnostic or troubleshooting tasks that you need to do.
Step 9: When are finished with your tasks, complete steps 1-7 again, but in Step 6 this time uncheck the checkbox labeled "/SAFEBOOT". Then click on the General tab and set it for Normal startup.
Step 10: Reboot the computer back into normal mode.

Windows Vista
Using the F8 Method:

1. Restart your computer.

2. When the computer starts you will see your computer's hardware being listed. When you see this information start to gently tap the F8 key repeatedly until you are presented with the Windows Vista Advanced Boot Options.
3. Select the Safe Mode option using the arrow keys.
4.Then press the enter key on your keyboard to boot into Vista Safe Mode.
5.When Windows starts you will be at a typical logon screen. Logon to your computer and Vista will enter Safe mode.
6.Do whatever tasks you require, and when you are done, reboot to go back into normal mode.


Using the System Configuration Tool Method:


Note: If you are having trouble entering Safe Mode via the F8 method, you should not use this method to force it to startup into safe mode. For reasons why, you should read this.

1. Close any running programs and open Windows so you are back at the desktop.

2. Click on start button.

3. In the Start Menu Search Box type msconfig and press enter on your keyboard.

4. The System Configuration utility will open and you will see a screen similar to the one below.

5. Click on the Boot tab.

You will now be at the Boot options screen as shown below.

6. Put a checkmark in the checkbox labeled Safe boot

Press the Apply button and then press the OK button.

7. You will now be presented with a prompt stating that you need to reboot the computer to apply the change.

8. Click on the Restart button to reboot your computer.

9. Your computer will now restart directly into Safe Mode. When you get to the Vista logon screen, log on to the computer and perform any necessary tasks.

10. When done with your tasks, from within Safe Mode, start msconfig.

11. When the program is open, and you are on the General tab, select the option labeled Normal Startup.

12. Then press the Apply button and then the OK button.

13. When the programs prompts you to reboot, allow it to do so, and you will boot back into Windows Vista in normal mode.

For windows 7 user use the same procedure as in we have discussed above in windows vista