How to start a computer in safe mode

When you start your computer in Safe mode, Windows only loads the drivers and computer services you need. You can use security mode to identify and resolve problems caused by automatically initiated, faulty drivers, programs, or services.

If the computer can successfully start in safe mode, but can not start in normal mode, the computer may have a conflict or hardware settings on the allocation of resources. It is possible that the system is not compatible with certain programs, services, or drivers, or the registry is corrupted. In Safe Mode, you can disable or remove programs, services, or device drivers that might prevent your computer from starting.

To resolve startup issues in safe mode, perform the following steps:

1. Click Start , and then click Shut Down .
2. Click Restart, and then click OK.
3. When you see the "Please select the operating system to start" message, press the F8 key.
4. On the Windows Advanced Options menu, use the arrow keys to select Safe Mode and press Enter.
   
   Note: You must turn off Num Lock, before the arrow keys on the numeric keypad to function.
5. If you are running another operating system on your computer, click Microsoft Windows Server 2003 on the displayed list and press Enter.
6. Do one of the following:
   
7. If your computer does not start in Safe Mode, try using the Recovery Console to start your computer. If you still can't start your computer, look for possible hardware issues, such as a defective device, an installation problem, a cable problem, or a connector problem. Remove any newly added hardware and restart your computer to see if the issue has been resolved.
8. If your computer may start in "safe mode", go to the next section to continue to troubleshoot the startup ask