Many
times in order to remove a piece of spyware or for troubleshooting and
diagnostic purposes, you'll have to start Windows in . While
in Safe Mode, only specific programs and files needed to run the
are loaded. Some functions, such as connecting to the
Internet, will not be active in Safe Mode and a standard video driver
will be loaded causing a washed out look and a possible change in
resolution.
However,
because just the
essential programs and files are loaded in Safe Mode, this allows us to
remove some spyware, adware, and such that cannot be removed in
Normal Mode. Follow the instructions below to Start Safe Mode for your
specific version of Windows. If you are trying to delete a file that is
not allowing you to delete it (even in Safe Mode), you may want to read
my article on
Included
at the bottom of the article are instructions for starting Windows
Vista in Safe Mode too.
|
|
Windows
95
- Restart
the computer.
- Just
after the POST diagnostics and memory count, start pressing the F8 key
- On the
Startup Menu, choose Safe Mode
Windows
98/Me
- Restart
the computer.
- Just
after the POST diagnostics and memory count, start pressing the F8 key
- On the
Startup Menu, choose Safe Mode
or you may
use the System Configuration Utility Method.
- While in
Normal mode, Close all programs.
- Click
Start, Run and type MSCONFIG in the box and click OK
- In the
System Configuration Utility, on the General Tab, click the
Advanced Button
- In the
Advanced Troubleshooting Settings dialog box, check Enable Startup
Menu. Click OK. Click OK again when the System Configuration Utility
reappears.
- You will
be prompted to restart the computer. Click Yes. The computer will
restart in Safe mode.
- 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
Windows
2000
- If the
computer is running, shut down Windows, and then turn off the power
- Wait 30
seconds, and then turn the computer on.
- When you
see the black-and-white Starting Windows bar at the bottom of the
screen, start tapping the F8 key. The Windows 2000 Advanced Options
Menu appears.
- Ensure
that the Safe mode option is selected. In most cases, it is the first
item in the list and is selected by default.
- Press
Enter. The computer then begins to start in Safe mode.
- When you
are finished with all troubleshooting, close all programs and restart
the computer as you normally would.
Windows
XP
If is the only operating system installed on your computer, booting
into Safe Mode with these instructions.
- If the
computer is running, shut down Windows, and then turn off the power
- Wait 30
seconds, and then turn the computer on.
- Start
tapping the F8 key. The Windows Advanced Options Menu appears. If you
begin tapping the F8 key too soon, some computers display a "keyboard
error" message. To resolve this, restart the computer and try again.
- Ensure
that the Safe mode option is selected.
- Press
Enter. The computer then begins to start in Safe mode.
- When you
are finished with all troubleshooting, close all programs and restart
the computer as you normally would.
To use the
System Configuration Utility method
- Close
all open programs.
- Click
Start, Run and type MSCONFIG in the box and click OK
- The
System Configuration Utility appears, On the BOOT.INI tab, Check the
"/SAFEBOOT" option, and then click OK and Restart your computer when
prompted.
- The
in Safe mode.
- Perform
the troubleshooting steps for which you are using Safe Mode.
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
Windows
as part of a multiboot system
Use this
method ONLY if you have multiple operating systems installed on your
computer.
- If the
computer is running, shut down Windows, and then turn off the power
- Wait 30
seconds, and then turn the computer on.
- When the
Boot loader menu (list of the available operating systems) appears, use
the arrow keys on the keyboard to select the version Windows what you
want
- Press
Enter, and then immediately begin tapping the F8 key. The Windows
Advanced Options menu appears.
- Scroll
to and select the Safe mode , and then press Enter.
Windows Vista
Windows
Vista is similar to Windows XP for starting in Safe Mode.
- Turn the
computer on or Restart the computer
- Start
tapping the F8 key. The Windows Advanced Boot Options Menu appears. If
you
begin tapping the F8 key too soon, some computers display a "keyboard
error" message. To resolve this, restart the computer and try again.
- Ensure
that the Safe mode option is selected (the top option)
- Press
Enter. The computer then begins to start in Safe mode.
- When you
are finished with troubleshooting, close all programs and restart
the computer as you normally would.
Links to Other Important Information
How to Fix Problem with No Active Mixer Devices Available in Windows XP
How to Fix Problem when Windows Security Center reports multiple antivirus programs installed
How to Remove "This Page Contains Both Secure and NonSecure Items" Warning Message
Troubleshooting An Error Occurred During Directory Enumeration
How to Fix Security Flaw in Adobe Reader
How to and Outlook Express Mail, , Blocked Senders List and other Settings
Allow Viewing of Attachments in Outlook Express 6
How to Fix Problems Viewing or Accessing Secure Web Sites
>
|
PC HELL
Other Pages
Computer Security Information
|