Sometimes a PC owner is told to start (or boot) his computer in the Safe Mode, especially if trying to troubleshoot a problem. What is meant by the safe mode? How does one boot their PC in that mode? What do you do after you get there? This is basic stuff for the experienced PC owner but some folks have no idea what we’re talking about so let’s explain a few things.

What Safe Mode is:

Safe mode is a Windows mode regardless of whether you are using Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000 or XP. All Microsoft operating systems except Windows 3.x and NT can be started in this mode. It is a diagnostic mode where only the most basic programs are loaded to make your PC operate. For example, in the Safe Mode you’ll have no dial capability so you can’t connect to the Internet. Also your desktop may look rather grainy because only a low-resolution video driver will be available. Some of your desktop icons may even be moved in different places. The objective is to start your PC without loading all the usual programs that could be corrupted and cause a problem. In other words you’re safe from interference from them.

Starting your PC in the Safe Mode:

One of the problems of the Safe Mode is that there is no standard starting procedure for all PCs. We’ll list several ways and let you determine which works for your PC. If none work you'd better look at your PC manual. What you want to see is a Startup Menu displayed in black/white when you start your PC so you can select the Safe Mode to boot

Method 1

Turn on your PC and as it starts hold down the CTRL key until a Startup Menu appears. If the CTRL key doesn’t work, try the F8 function key instead. The problem here is to determine exactly when to depress the F8 key. Some people tap it repeatedly. I found in my Gateway PC that I must wait until I hear a little ding after the floppy drive is loaded before tapping the F8 key.

Method 2 (Not for Windows 95)

If you can already boot into Windows click Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools. Select System Configuration Utility/Advanced and select Enable Startup Menu/OK. Restart your PC and you should see the Startup Menu. A quick way to get to the System Configuration Utility is to click Start/Run and type MSCONFIG.

Method 3

Insert a non-bootable floppy disk in the floppy disk drive, and restart your computer. When you receive the "Non-system disk or disk error - Replace and strike any key when ready" error message, remove the floppy disk and tap the F8 key a couple times until the Startup Menu is displayed.

Method 4

Restart your computer in MS-DOS Mode. From a command prompt type "win /d:m" without the quotation marks.

You finally got in the Safe Mode - What now?

Once in the Safe Mode, Device Manager is a good troubleshooting tool to use. Here's how to get to it: For Windows 95/98/ME click on Start/Settings/Control Panel and click on the System icon followed by Device Manager. For Windows XP click on Start/Control Panel/System then click on the Hardware tab followed by Device Manager.

It would take another article to describe how to use the Device Manager to troubleshoot so I suggest you go to the University of Wisconsin tutorial at http://www.always-online.com/nbcug/dwindex.htm

All past articles for the River Bender are posted at http://www.always-online.com/nbcug/dwindex.htm.