How to Get a Computer Out of Safe Mode
Level of difficulty: Intermediate
Microsoft introduced the Safe Mode as a troubleshooting solution for potential problems encountered by the computer system via loading only the bare essentials like the keyboard, mouse, and video processes needed to boot the machine. Some of the reasons a computer boots into Safe Mode is a corrupted device driver, missing or damaged system file (Dynamic Link Library), or if it is explicitly chosen by the computer user for fixing computer problems. During the booting up process into Safe Mode, indications of what is causing the problem are usually shown via the display of system generated messages. These include “Windows failed to load completely” or “Windows was not properly shut down”, and others. With the introduction of the Microsoft Windows XP Operating System platform, the Safe Mode status was extended with the “Safe Mode with Command Prompt” and “Safe Mode with Networking” options to allow for more support for the troubleshooting process.
Materials Needed:- Computer
- Microsoft Windows Operating System
Step 1
Getting out of Safe Mode may be both easy and complicated at the same time. The primary consideration is the reason why the machine is booting into this status. If it was user initiated, the easiest way is to click on the 'Start' button and select the 'Turn Off Computer' option.
Step 2
This will bring up the window with the 'Standby', 'Turn Off', and 'Restart' options. Choose either 'Restart' or 'Turn Off'. Upon rebooting or powering up of the machine, the Operating System should automatically load into Normal Mode. Take note that some users are misled into believing that the system is in Safe Mode primarily due to the incorrect setting of the video. If the system is in Safe Mode, it should be stated at the corners of the screen.
Step 3
If the system keeps on rebooting on Safe Mode, this is a possible indication of a problem in loading startup components. Reboot the machine.
Step 4
During the reboot process, press the 'F8' key to display the boot-up options. In this window, select the 'Last Known Good Configuration' option. The Operating System will attempt to locate the last settings that successfully loaded the Operating System. This feature was introduced under the Microsoft Windows 2000 Operating System platform and retained in newer Microsoft environments.
Step 5
If still unsuccessful, allow the machine to boot into Safe Mode. Click on the 'Start' button and choose the 'Control Panel' option.
Step 6
Click on the 'Performance and Maintenance' category and click on the 'System' icon. This should open the System Properties window.
Step 7
Click on the 'Hardware' tab and click on the 'Device Manager' button. Check for any exclamation or question mark beside any entry. Reload the corresponding device driver for the erroneous component. Repeat Step 2; this should boot the system in Normal Mode.
Step 8
If the computer system entered Safe Mode via the System Configuration utility, then it can only boot in Normal Mode using the same tool. Click on the 'Start' button and choose 'All Programs'. Click on the 'System Tools' category and select the 'System Information' option.
Step 9
From the new window, click on the 'Tools' Menu and select 'System Configuration Utility'. Under the 'General' tab, select the 'Normal Startup' option.
Step 10
Click on the 'OK' button and restart the machine as described in Step 2. This will load the system in Normal Mode.