How to work in safe mode for Windows 2000 ? 

The diagnostics mode of Windows is also known as SAFE MODE. If you want to run the specific components loaded in operating system then start the computer in Safe mode. But for that you have to sacrifice some functions such as Internet connection, resolution and icon locations etc.

You cannot able to connect your computer to the Internet while it is in safe mode. Also it loads a standard video driver at a low resolution hence your programs and the Windows desktop may look unusual. It also reshuffles the locations of the icons on the desktop.

Windows also supports several Safe Boot options, which load a minimal set of drivers. With these options you can start Windows so that you can modify the registry and load or remove drivers. Except Windows 3.1 and Windows NT all Windows operating systems can be started in Safe mode.

How to start Windows 2000 in Safe mode? 

A) In case of the Windows is running:

• Close all programs which are open.

•  Click Restart.

•  Click OK.

B) In case of the Windows is not running but computer is on:

• Turn off the power.
• Turn on the computer.

C) In the case of the safe boot option:

• Restart your computer.

•  Boot menu appears.

•  Press F8 key. (Using the F8 key is little bit difficult than using the System Configuration Utility. You have to press the F8 key at right time. If the F8 method does not work, repeat the steps, but press the F8 key more quickly or frequently. Still F8 key does not work then use the System Configuration Utility method. Some times the F8 key method does not work on older computers because the older computer has disabled the F8 key for this purpose or the computer is designed to use a different key. The System Configuration Utility will not work if your computer has been infected with some virus and Trojans then using the F8 key will be the only option.)

• Windows Advanced Options menu will appear.

• Select an option.

•  Press ENTER.

•  Boot menu will appear again, with the words "Safe Mode" displayed in red at the bottom.

 Select the installation you want to start.
 Press ENTER.

After finishing the troubleshooting.

• Close all programs.

•  Restart the computer.

Details of Safe Boot Options

• To start Windows in safe mode with a minimal set of device drivers and services. Use command prompt (Safeboot_Option=Minimal).
  

• To start Windows in safe mode with a minimal set of device drivers and services and the drivers necessary to load networking. Use command prompt (Safeboot_Option=Network)

• Enable VGA Mode to start Windows in 640 X 480 mode using the current video driver. It is useful in the case where the display was configured at a setting that monitor cannot display.

• Directory Service Restore Mode performs a directory service repair.

• Debug Mode enables debug mode in Windows. With its help debugging information can be sent across a serial cable to another computer running a debugger. It is configured to use COM2.

The above description is applicable only to Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server, Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Edition and Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server.

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