How to boot into Safe Mode in Windows XP

Restart the computer. Immediately after the screen goes blank for the first time, or after the BIOS post ends, start taping the F8 key repeatedly. The Windows Advanced Options menu appears. If the menu does not appear, restart the computer and try again. If the Keyboard has a F-Lock key, it may be necessary to press it first - QUICKLY before pressing the F8 Key. This will have to be done quickly before tapping the F8 key repeatedly.

The Windows Advanced Options Menu shown next should appear

The Safe Mode option uses a minimal set of device drivers and services to start Windows. The default Microsoft VGA driver is used for display at 640 x 480 or 800 x 600 resolution and in 16 colors.

Here’s an alternative method to using the F8 key

Choose Safe Mode and press ENTER.

If this widows appears, choose the operating system you want to boot to.

Note: Dual boot users will see more than one operating system.

As files load they will scroll down the screen.

Log onto the Administrator account. If a password was never set, leave the password blank and press enter or click on the green arrow.

Click Yes to enter Safe Mode. Click No to launch System Restore.

System Restore can be run the same as in normal mode. The only difference is an UNDO restore point will not be automatically created.

Related Articles

How to access and run System Restore in Windows XP

A description of the Safe Mode Boot options in Windows XP

Alternative method to using the F8 key

Go to Start - Run and type or paste MSCONFIG then press enter

Click on the the Boot.ini tab

Click the box for /SAFEBOOT to select it

Minimal should be selected, if not select it

Click Apply then OK

Reboot the computer. The Windows Advanced Options Menu should appear

Remember to undo these changes in Safe Mode to return to a Normal boot afterwards

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Microsoft Keyboards - F Lock Key By Jason Tsang MS-MVP

Copyright © 2005 - 2008 Bert Kinney