How and Why (first reason) to use Safe Mode

News Flash! Sometimes things go wrong with computers. Yesterday we discussed how to invoke Windows' Safe Mode. Safe Mode is one of the tools you can use to diagnose and repair Windows' problems. Our first problem (and its fix)is things going wrong after you added / changed hardware or changed a "driver." Note: you'll have to print these instructions because they will not be available on-screen while you perform these steps.

1. How: There are two ways to get where you need to be for out first possible fix:
   
   • If you have NOT added the safe boot option to your startup menu
     • At the right moment, press the F8 key. Be alert: your window of opportunity is small
     • If you miss that opportunity, Windows will start normally.
     • You should let Windows finish its startup process.
     • Then re-boot and try again.
     • Keep trying until you get it right.
     Now you know why I recommend adding the Safe Mode option to Windows.
   • If you have added the safe boot option to your startup menu
     • Start the computer.
     • When the Options menu appears,rather than selecting an operating system, press the F8 key
   
   Either method will open the Safe Mode Options Menu.
   
   The first thing to try when using Safe Mode to recover from a system problem is invoking the Last Known Good Configuration option.At the Safe Mode Options Menu,
   
   
   • Use the arrow keys to highlight Last Known Good Configuration
   • press the ENTER key. NOTE: NUM LOCK must be off before the arrow keys on the numeric keypad will function.
   • Follow the screen prompts. When instructed,
   • reboot the system
   • test to see if the original problem is fixed.


2. WHY: Choosing Last Known Good Configuration provides a way to recover from problems such as a newly added driver that may be incorrect for your hardware. It does not solve problems caused by corrupted or missing drivers or files.

   You should use the Last Known Good Configuration as soon as you discover a problem which occurred right after you changed a driver or added/changed hardware.

Tomorrow: More ways to use Safe Mode.