Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
Using Safe Mode
When Windows won't start normally, you can often boot into Safe Mode for access to
your Windows Desktop
. Safe Mode
is a low-functionality mode that bypasses all optional
components, both hardware and software, loading only the minimum required to display
the Desktop. You shouldn't use the computer for normal tasks in Safe Mode because of its
limited functionality; stay in Safe Mode only long enough to implement whatever fi xes are
needed to allow Windows to boot normally again.
To enter Safe Mode, restart the computer and, as soon as you see any text on the screen,
begin pressing the F8 key. Doing so displays the Advanced Options menu, a text-based
menu system. Using the arrow keys, select Safe Mode (or Safe Mode With Networking)
from the menu, and press Enter to start the computer in Safe Mode.
In Safe Mode, the display adapter uses a generic driver, so the screen resolution is very
low and uses only a limited color set. Nonessential hardware doesn't work, such as sound
cards and modems; and unless you chose Safe Mode With Networking at the Advanced
Options menu, the network doesn't work either (and that includes the Internet).
If the computer starts OK in Safe Mode but doesn't start normally, you can assume that
the startup problem lies in one of the nonessential hardware drivers or software applications
that Safe Mode blocks from starting. From here it's just a matter of elimination.
Here are some things to try once you're in Safe Mode:
Disconnect all nonessential external hardware devices, such as modems, external hard
disks, webcams, and so on. Try to boot normally. If you can, then plug the devices back
in one at a time, rebooting after each one, until you fi nd the one with the problem.
If you've recently installed new internal hardware, remove it and see if the problem
goes away.
If you've recently installed a new application, remove it using the Control Panel
(see Chapter 6, “Installing and Confi guring Software”) and reboot to see if the
problem goes away.
Use System Restore, as described in the next section, to return your computer to an
earlier confi guration point before the problem started.
Run the System Confi guration Utility (MSCONFIG), as described later in this chapter,
to prevent all noncritical applications from loading at startup. Then re-enable them one
by one, rebooting each time, until you fi nd the problem.
EXERCISE 8.1
Boot into Safe Mode
1.
Restart your PC, and as soon as you hear the single beep and see text on the screen,
start pressing the F8 key. The Advanced Options menu opens.
2.
Press the down arrow key to highlight Safe Mode With Networking, and press Enter.
The system starts up in Safe Mode.
