How to restart the Windows operating system in safe mode

STANDARD PROCEDURES

A. For Windows 98/Me users:

1. Restart the computer;
2. After the inital computer boot sequence and before Windows loads tap the F8 key repeatedly until you are presented with a text menu;
3. Use the arrow keys to navigate through the options, select "Safe Mode" and hit "Enter";
4. Windows will start in Safe Mode allowing you to perform the troubleshooting task;
5. In order to revert to the Normal Mode simply restart the computer.

B. For Windows 2000 users:

1. Restart the computer;
2. After the inital computer boot sequence and before Windows loads tap the F8 key repeatedly until you are presented with a text menu;
3. Use the arrow keys to navigate through the options, select "Safe Mode" and hit "Enter";
4. Windows will start in Safe Mode allowing you to perform the troubleshooting task;
5. In order to revert to the Normal Mode simply restart the computer.

C. For Windows XP users:

1. Restart the computer;
2. After the inital computer boot sequence and before Windows loads tap the F8 key repeatedly until you are presented with a text menu;
3. Use the arrow keys to navigate through the options, select "Safe Mode" and hit "Enter";
4. Windows will start in Safe Mode allowing you to perform the troubleshooting task;
5. In order to revert to the Normal Mode simply restart the computer.

D. For Windows Vista users:

1. Restart the computer;
2. After the initial computer boot sequence and before Windows loads tap the F8 key repeatedly until you are presented with a text menu;
3. Use the arrow keys to navigate through the options, select "Safe Mode" and hit "Enter";
4. Windows will start in Safe Mode allowing you to perform the troubleshooting task;
5. In order to revert to the Normal Mode simply restart the computer.

ADVANCED PROCEDURES

NOTE! These procedures should only be used when specifically instructed by a technician and when the standard procedures fail.

A. For Windows 98/Me users:

1. While in Normal Mode close all programs;
2. Click "Start" > "Run..." and type "MSCONFIG" in the box and click "OK";
3. In the System Configuration Utility, on the "General" tab, click the "Advanced" button;
4. In the Advanced Troubleshooting Settings dialog box check "Enable Startup Menu" and click "OK"; Click "OK" again when the System Configuration Utility reappears;
5. You will be prompted to restart the computer, click "Yes"; The computer will restart in Safe Mode;
6. When you are finished with troubleshooting in Safe mode, open MSCONFIG again and uncheck "Enable Start-up Menu." under the "Advanced" Menu, then click "OK" and restart your computer.

B. For Windows XP users:

1. While in Normal Mode close all programs;
2. Click "Start", "Run..." and type "MSCONFIG" in the box and click "OK";
3. The System Configuration Utility appears; on the "BOOT.INI" tab Check the "/SAFEBOOT" option and then click "OK" and Restart your computer when prompted;
4. The computer restarts in Safe Mode allowing you to perform the troubleshooting steps for which you are using Safe Mode.
5. When you are finished with troubleshooting in Safe mode, open MSCONFIG again, on the "BOOT.INI" tab uncheck "/SAFEBOOT" and click "OK" to restart your computer

C. For Windows Vista users:

1. While in Normal Mode close all programs;
2. Click on the "Start" button; in the Start Menu Search Box type "msconfig" and press ENTER on your keyboard;
3. The System Configuration utility will open; click on the "Boot" tab;
4. Put a checkmark in the checkbox labeled "Safe boot";
5. Press the "Apply" button and then press the "OK" button; You will be presented with a prompt - click on the "Restart" button to reboot your computer.
6. When done with the troubleshooting tasks, from within Safe Mode, start msconfig; When the program is open, and you are on the General tab, select the option labeled Normal Startup; Press the "Apply" button and then the "OK" button;
7. When the programs prompts you to reboot, allow it to do so, and you will boot back into Windows Vista in normal mode.

MULTIBOOT SYSTEM

NOTE! Use this method only if you have multiple operating systems installed on your computer.

1. Restart the computer;
2. When the Boot loader menu (list of the available operating systems) appears, use the arrow keys on the keyboard to select the version Windows that you want;
3. Press Enter, and then immediately begin tapping the F8 key; The Windows Advanced Options menu appears;
4. Scroll to and select the Safe mode menu item, and then press Enter.