How to Boot in Safe Mode

Learning how to boot in safe mode is a very simple procedure. This article tells you about how to boot a computer in safe mode.

You install some drivers in your computer for using a new hardware, and the system suddenly crashes or hangs up. You reboot the computer, and it shows a desktop that is kinda weird to look at, with big fonts and 'Safe Mode' displayed in all four corners of the computer monitor. You wonder what it is...

What is Safe Mode?

There are many times when we install a software or hardware, and the computer hangs up or crashes. There can be many reasons for such kind of problems. Starting your operating system in its safe mode is the first step that you need to perform in order to diagnose and solve the problem. A safe mode is a default utility stored in the computer which enables the user to find out the exact cause of the problem and repair it. It is a particular manner of the computer to respond, when there is any kind of an issue going on with the proper functionality of the operating system. It is just a troubleshooting mode initiated by the operating system, and after you fix the cause of the problem, you can start the computer in a normal startup manner.

What Happens in Safe Mode?

When the operating system boots in safe mode, it loads in a somewhat different manner, generally utilizing the least of the startup requirements. Some of the device drivers will not be loaded in safe mode, which may not allow you to use certain hardware devices. When you view the startup desktop, it will not be of the same quality as it is when starting in a normal mode. The display will be shown in a standard VGA mode (640 x 480), so the picture will not be as fine.

How to Boot in Safe Mode - Windows XP

To start the operating system in safe mode with Windows XP, reboot the computer and tap the F8 key until the Windows Advanced Options Menu appears. In case you tap the 'F8' button on the keyboard very early, you might receive a 'keyboard error' message, after which you will have to restart the computer for booting in safe mode. When the black screen is displayed, use the keyboard up-down keys to select the 'Safe Mode' option. Press 'Enter', and the computer will reboot in safe mode. After you are done with rectifying the problems, you can restart the computer which will then start in the normal mode.

Suppose you are not able to boot in safe mode, since the F8 key on the computer keyboard is not working, you are then required to use the 'System Configuration Utility'. Close all running programs; click on 'Start', 'Run', and enter in 'msconfig'; and click 'OK'. The screen will display the 'System Configuration Utility' window, from where you need to select the 'BOOT.INI' option. Now, check the '/SAFEBOOT' option, with clicking on the 'MINIMAL' radio button, which is located right at the side or below. Click on 'Apply' and then 'OK', and reboot when prompted. After you have finished solving the problem, you again need to open the 'System Configuration Utility' window and uncheck the '/SAFEBOOT' option for starting the OS normally.

This was the standard procedure to be used for starting Windows XP in safe mode. If you are thinking how to boot in safe mode with Mac OS X, you just need to hold the 'Shift' key immediately after the startup tone.

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