Safe Mode

[Coldicote]

Following on a recent question about Function Keys, I see that F8 is 'commonly used to access Windows Safe Mode'. I've never used Safe Mode, because I don't know what to expect or what I could actually do in safe mode; and more importantly how does one get out of it? Any offers on this one please.

[RAV1D]

To get out of it you just reboot your computer as normal, don't worrie when it reboots it wont go back into safe mode again! Basicly it's made for when your having problems with your computer and you want to change settings that the normal mode won't let you do as certain apps that run behind the scene stop you from changing settings. so safe mode is like a limited version thats not running every app as normal,just the minimum. you will notice in safe mode the graphics on the screen are a poorer quality and maybe bigger or stretched. Basicly if you don't understand what safe mode is for then you have no reason to be going on it. It's for more involved people who are quite good at fixing things that have gone wrong!

[Buenchico]

A good explanation from RAV1D but don't worry. If you were to accidentally press the F8 key right now, absolutely nothing would happen. Getting into Safe Mode requires the F8 key to be pressed during the computer's boot sequence (i.e. before the Windows screen loads), so it's a very deliberate action and not one you could easily do by accident.

However, if you do find that some suggests using Safe Mode to help fix a problem, it's nothing to worry about. You simply restart your computer to bring everything back to normal.

Chris

[Coldicote]

Thank you David and Chris. Now I know I can get out of safe mode by rebooting, I'm not so bothered about getting into it. I was thinking it might be a black screen with white text and other white items and I wouldn't know what to do with them. I'll have to do a bit of exploring sometime.

[LewPaper]

Hiya Coldicote
I'm afraid I have to take issue with Rav1d (just slightly). Safe Mode is an ideal environment where you can perform tasks possibly not available normally, as Chris said. Only the very minimum of resources are available with hardly any drivers so you can't surf, listen to music or enjoy many other things you usually do.
Where I take issue is the need to go into Safe Mode and suggest you do just that now, while your computer is performing as it should. As has been said previously you only have to reboot to get back to normal, and whilst there have a good look round and just see what you can and can't do. It could reap benefits when you need to go there.

[Coldicote]

Thank you Lew, David and Chris for your very informative advice and help.