Starting in Safe Mode

The most frightening problem you can experience is when Windows simply fails to start. While most startup problems are related to bad drivers or misconfigured settings, how do you get into Windows to fix what's wrong when you can't even start Windows in the first place?

The answer is deceptively simple. You have to hijack your computer before Windows gets hold of it, and force it to start without whatever is causing the problem.

You hijack your computer by watching the screen as your computer boots up, and pressing the F8 key just before Windows starts to load. (You'll probably see some onscreen message about Windows starting, or pressing F8 for startup options, or selecting the operating system to start.)

When you press F8 your computer will display the Windows Startup menu. This menu lists a number of different ways that you can start Windows. I'll discuss all these modes in a minute. For now, use your up- and down-arrow keys to select Safe mode, and then press Enter.

Understanding Safe Mode

Safe mode is a special mode of operation that loads Windows in a minimal configuration, without a bunch of pesky device drivers. This means the screen will be low-resolution VGA, and you won't be able to use a lot of your peripherals (such as your modem or your printer). But Windows will load, which it might not have, otherwise.

Any time you can't load Windows normally, you should revert to Safe mode. In fact, Windows will automatically start in Safe mode if it encounters major problems while loading. Safe mode is a great mode for troubleshooting, because Windows still works and you can make whatever changes you need to make to get it up-and-running again in normal mode.

NOTE

Depending on your system configuration, you may have more, fewer, or just different options available on the Windows Startup menu. The basic Safe mode option is available on all systems, however.

Once in Safe mode, you can look for device conflicts, restore incorrect or cor rupted device drivers, troubleshoot your startup with the System Configuration Utility (discussed later in this chapter), or restore your system to a prior working configuration (using the System Restore utility, also discussed later).

Other Startup Options

When you press the F8 key when Windows is starting, Safe mode is just one of the options available on the Windows Startup menu. Here are some of the other options you may encounter:

• Normal. This starts Windows in its normal mode as if you hadn't pressed F8 to begin with.

• Safe Mode. Starts Windows with a minimal number of device drivers loaded.

• Safe Mode with Networking. A version of Safe mode that also loads key network drivers; you can still connect the ailing computer to your network.

• Safe Mode with Command Prompt. Boots to the old DOS command prompt instead of to the Windows interface.

• Enable Boot Logging. This logs all remaining startup operations to the BOOTLOG.TXT file.

• Enable VGA Mode. Loads Windows as normal, but with a generic VGA video driver. (This is a good mode if you think you're having trouble with your video driver.)

• Last Known Good Configuration. Uses the Windows Registry information and drivers that were saved the last time you shut down your system presumably before your system got screwed up.