Monday, November 15, 2010

You can reboot straight into Safe Mode easily

Most a bit beyond novices have learned that “Safe Mode” is a Windows troubleshooting option that starts a computer with only the basic files and drivers necessary to run Windows.

If your computer is able to boot to Safe Mode without experiencing the problem you experienced during or after a normal boot you can be pretty much assured your Windows system has not been corrupted.

And because more often than not you’ll experience a problem on your first boot after installing a program or device, by expeditiously accessing Safe Mode you may be able to uninstall the errant program or device that may be the cause of your problem. And by doing so be able to restart Windows normally.

At the very least if you’re a bit beyond novice, by expeditiously booting to Safe Mode you can attempt to discover by a process of elimination the corrupting culprit.

Unfortunately forcing Windows 7 and Vista to Boot into Safe Mode by pressing and holding down the F8 key as your computer restarts and before the Windows logo appears can be challenging. And if you need multiple reboots to Safe mode to discover what program or device is causing you grief, repeatedly pressing and holding down the F8 key can be an extraordinarily frustrating experience.

However know there’s a System Configuration utility option that will let you force Windows to boot continuously to Safe Mode.

You can configure this option from your:
1. Windows Desktop should you discover you’re experiencing a problem that will require you to reboot to “Safe Mode”.
2. Safe Mode Desktop when after arriving at Safe Mode you discover you’ll need additional reboots to Safe Mode.

By:
1. Typing msconfig in either your Desktop or Safe Mode Start menu search or run box.
2. Selecting the Boot tab.
3. Checking the box for “Safe boot”.
4. Selecting the “Minimal” radio button.

When you click on the OK button you’ll be asked if you want to “Restart now or wait until later”. Either way the next boot and subsequent boots will be to Safe Mode.

Note: You’ll know you’re in Safe Mode because it places Safe Mode text in the four corners of the screen and opens up the safe mode page from the Vista or Windows 7 help file.

To stop Safe Mode boots, follow the steps above and uncheck the box for “Safe Mode”.

Whether you’re a novice or a bit beyond novice discovering “Safe More” should be a priority.

Here’s wishing you a Good Boot.

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