While Windows XP is usually a stable operating system, it can still have many problems. Fortunately, to remedy these problems, Microsoft has included the ability to perform a diagnostic boot called "Safe Mode". This article will teach you how to use this feature.
Steps
Step 1. Press the F8 key right after the first computer startup screen
It can be difficult to know when to press the key, and you'll often end up starting your PC normally. The best technique is to press F8 repeatedly until the start menu appears.
In some cases you will fill the buffer memory by pressing a key too many times and the computer will display an error message or play a beep. Also, the F8 key may not work on a USB keyboard if the USB drivers have not yet been loaded. However, most modern computers offer support for USB at the BIOS level, so this problem should be limited to older systems
Step 2. These are the options you should see:
(you may not see them all, depending on your computer configuration)
- Safe mode
- Safe Mode with Networking
- Safe Mode with Command Prompt
- Skills Startup Registry
- Ability VGA mode
- Last known stable configuration (the most recent settings that allowed the computer to boot correctly)
- How to recover directory services (Domain controllers only)
- Debug mode
- Disable automatic restart following a system failure
- Start Windows normally
- Reboot
Step 3. Use the "up" and "down" directional arrows to select the boot mode you want
When you have selected the mode you want, press the "Enter" key.
Method 1 of 1: Use Msconfig to Enter Safe Mode
Step 1. Click the "Start" button on the taskbar
When the start menu appears, click on the "Run" item. Alternatively you can use the keyboard shortcut Windows Key + R.
Step 2. In the dialog box that appears, type "msconfig"
The System Configuration Utility will open.
Step 3. Look at the tabs at the top of the screen
One says "BOOT. INI". Click on that tab.
Step 4. You will see some boxes in the lower part of the window
Check "/ SAFEBOOT".
Step 5. Click "OK", and restart your computer
Warnings
- Your computer will no longer boot into normal mode until you uncheck the "/ SAFEBOOT" box in the System Configuration Utility.
- Change only the setting indicated in this guide in the System Configuration Utility. The authors of this article and wikiHow are not responsible for any malfunctions of your computer.
