Accidents happen.
We’re all human and sometimes we make mistakes. Some of our mistakes can have
troublesome consequences, like when you forget to add an entry in your checkbook.
Other mistakes, such as changing the video setting on your computer to one that
leaves you with a black screen, can be corrected if you know how to use the
troubleshooting tool Safe Mode. This Daily Drill Down will give you a review of
the legacy versions of Safe Mode that can be used in Windows 9x, as well as VGA
Mode, which is found in Windows NT 4.0. You will also see how some of the
exciting new features of Windows 2000 Safe Mode can help you correct problems
you might encounter on a client machine.
Back in time: Windows 9x and Windows NT 4.0
To access Safe Mode in Windows 9x, press the [F8] key while the computer is starting up, but before Windows is loaded. You could also hold down the [Ctrl] key while the computer boots. Either method will cause the Windows 9x Startup Menu to be displayed. However, if you elect to hold the [Ctrl] key, you must press a key within thirty seconds to stop the timer; otherwise, the computer will begin to load Windows in Normal Mode.
Options defined
Regardless of how you access the Windows 9x Startup Menu, it will contain the following choices.
·
Normal: Use this if you accidentally accessed the Startup menu, or if
you elect to display the Startup Menu each time the computer boots.
·
Logged (C:\Bootlog.txt): This creates a log file of what occurs while Windows and the
drivers load during startup. When you use this option, the results of the
system’s startup are written to the C:\Bootlog.txt file. Figure A shows a
sample of the output that is contained in this file. As you can see, the result
of each device and driver being loaded is reported.
·
Safe Mode: Obviously, the Safe Mode option starts Windows 9x in Safe
Mode. The screen will display Safe Mode in all four corners of the screen, as
shown in Figure B, and the system will have minimal driver support, using a
basic VGA monitor and Microsoft mouse driver.
·
Step-By-Step Confirmation: This allows you to load your Config.sys and
Autoexec.bat files line-by-line, giving you the option to skip commands from
these files.
·
Command Prompt Only: This allows your Config.sys and Autoexec.bat files to load,
and then leaves you at the command prompt without loading the Windows
interface.
·
Safe Mode Command Prompt Only: Also takes you to a command prompt, but neither the
Config.sys nor Autoexec.bat files will be loaded.
·
Previous Version Of MS-DOS: Starts the latest version of MS-DOS.
Figure
A
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If
you have a misbehaving driver but aren’t sure which one it is, the
Bootlog.txt file helps you pinpoint the culprit.
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Figure
B
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In
Safe Mode there are no network, CD-ROM, or printer drivers loaded.
|
Windows NT 4.0 is a little different from Windows 9x. In fact, Windows NT doesn’t really have a Safe Mode. Instead, you must use Windows NT 4.0 VGA Mode. To access this mode, select the option from the startup menu that appears when NT is started. After you choose the menu option, the system will start using a basic VGA video driver. There are no network, CD-ROM, or printer drivers loaded.
You can use Windows NT 4.0 VGA Mode to perform many of the same tasks that you would with Safe Mode. You can modify configuration settings, install or remove software, and perform basic troubleshooting. While you don’t have all of the functionality that Safe Mode offers, you can still correct many problems that occur with Windows NT 4.0.
Using Safe Mode in Windows 2000
Now that you understand the basics of Safe Mode for previous versions of Windows, it’s time to turn our attention to Windows 2000 Safe Mode. As an incumbent diagnostic tool that was given a face lift for Windows 2000, this handy utility has aged gracefully to provide you with more troubleshooting functionality than before. As previously mentioned, Safe Mode originally allowed you to load just the basic device drivers and system services that were necessary for you to function in the operating system. This meant that your system was started without CD-ROM or networking support, and only a basic VGA video driver. You couldn’t do as much because the intent was to use Safe Mode to undo whatever happened to your system. Windows 2000 Safe Mode provides much more functionality, especially when compared to Windows NT VGA Mode.
Accessing Safe Mode in Windows 2000 is slightly different from its Windows cousins. You simply press the [F8] key during system startup when you see the message “For troubleshooting and advanced startup options for Windows 2000, press F8.” You will be taken to the Windows 2000 Advanced Options Menu, where you can select the Safe Mode options.
Options defined
Let’s dive in and take a look at each option that is available from the Windows 2000 Advanced Options Menu.
·
Safe Mode: When you select this option, the minimum required basic
device drivers and services are loaded. This means that you will be able to use
the mouse, keyboard, CD-ROM, and the standard 16-color VGA display. In
addition, the Remote Procedure Call, Logical Disk Manager, Event Log, and Plug
and Play services will all be active. Safe Mode will also bypass any programs
that are in your Startup Program group, as well as the Administrator, All
Users, and users’ profiles. Your system is functional, but it doesn’t have any
bells or whistles. Because no network adapter drivers are loaded, you must log
into the system as a local user. From this point, you can try to isolate system
problems and perform operations such as reconfiguring the video or network
adapter. You can also remove software that is misbehaving and, should the
system be infected with a virus, you are able to run a virus scan as well. As
you can see inFigure C, when you enter Safe Mode, the familiar Safe Mode
messages are displayed in each corner of the screen and the background is
black.
·
Safe Mode With Networking: Provides you with all the functionality of Safe
Mode, but networking drivers and services are also started. Group Policy is
also implemented on both the server and local computer sides. When you start
your system in this mode, the black screen and four corner Safe Mode messages
are present and it looks similar to plain old Safe Mode. However, with the network
drivers loaded, you can connect to your corporate network and install software,
or possibly access utilities or documents that will help you solve a problem
that the system is experiencing. In addition, you will be able to access the
Internet, which will allow you to download new drivers or software patches,
eliminating the problem of getting the software installed on the system.
·
Safe Mode With Command Prompt: Provides you with all the functionality of Safe
Mode except that the command interpreter is loaded instead of Explorer. When
using this Mode, you will receive a full-screen window allowing you to use the
command prompt to do things like unpack software files for replacement.
However, the four corner Safe Mode indicators and black screen are still present
to remind you that the client is in Safe Mode. When you are finished, you must
press [Ctrl][Alt][Del] and select the Shutdown option. If you type Exit from
the command prompt with hopes of restarting the system, it will not work.
Although the exit command will close the command prompt window, the system will
not be restarted.
·
Enable Boot Logging: This creates a log file named Ntbtlog.txt, which is stored
in the C:\WINNT folder and logs the name and status of all of the drivers that
were loaded into the system’s memory. When you select this option, the system
will start in Normal Mode, providing you with the results of all drivers and
software that are normally loaded when the system is started. Once Windows 2000
has started, you can view the log file C:\WINNT\Ntbtlog.txt. This file should
look similar to the one shown in Figure D. The file is continuous,
so multiple logs will be written to it unless you delete the current version
and allow a new one to be created. To avoid confusion, you should delete the
Ntbtlog.txt file before starting the system with the Enable Boot Logging option
set. You can use Safe Mode to perform such a task, if the file has not
previously been deleted.
·
Enable VGA Mode: This allows you to start the system using your current
video driver set to a resolution of 640x480. This helps you modify any
erroneous video settings that have been made and which the monitor cannot
display. The difference between VGA Mode and normal Safe Mode is that the
former uses the system’s current video driver while the latter uses the Vga.sys
driver.
·
Last Known Good Configuration: You can use this option to quickly rectify
erroneous configurations that were made to the system.
·
Directory Services Restore Mode (Windows 2000 domain controllers
only): This
selection will provide you with information such as the number of processors
and amount of RAM in the system, the current version of service pack installed,
and the build number. Use this option to correct problems with Active
Directory, such as the system running out of disk space, and also to perform an
Active Directory repair.
·
Debugging Mode: This is an advanced Windows 2000 Server troubleshooting
tool that will start the system in kernel debug mode, which will allow a remote
user to analyze the output from the debugger. The remote user can be connected
to the system using a modem or can connect directly to the computer using COM2
and a serial cable.
Figure
C
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The
four Safe Mode indicators ensure you know which mode the system is operating
in.
|
Figure
D
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The
Windows version, build number, and date and time information are listed at
the top of the file.
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Limitations on troubleshooting with Windows 2000 Safe Mode
When you start Windows 2000 in Safe Mode, the first thing you must do is log in to the local workstation, unless you are using Safe Mode With Networking. When using Safe Mode With Networking, both TCP/IP and NetBEUI protocols are supported, but Novell’s IPX protocol is not. Thus, if you are using this option, any IPX-only hosts will be unreachable. As a result, if you are using a Novell IPX client, you will not be able to log in to the network. To access a Novell server, you must be using the Novell client with TCP/IP. Regardless of how you log in, this security feature prevents unauthorized or erroneous use of Safe Mode.
Once you have accessed the system in Safe Mode, you can troubleshoot or fix the issues that are causing your problems, just as you have done in the past. However, there are times when Safe Mode will not be able to help you correct a problem with the system. One example is when the boot files have been corrupted. Without these basic files, Windows 2000 cannot be started, even in Safe Mode. To fix a problem such as this, you will need to use the Emergency Repair Disks.
Conclusion
The changes that have been incorporated in Windows 2000 Safe Mode will provide you with excellent troubleshooting tools to help you rectify problems with your system. The Safe Mode With Networking option is a very helpful addition, as is the CD-ROM drive access. Although I hope that you will never need to use Safe Mode, the reality is that most of us are destined to become familiar with it. However, with the new functionality added in Windows 2000, Safe Mode should prove to be a very useful tool.
Advanced Boot Options
What is the Advanced Boot
Options Menu?:
The Advanced Boot Options menu is a selectable list of Windows
startup modes and troubleshooting tools.
In Windows XP, this menu is called the Windows Advanced Options
Menu.
What is the Advanced Boot Options
Menu Used For?:
The Advanced Boot Options menu is a list of advanced
troubleshooting tools and Windows startup methods that can be used to repair
important files, start Windows with the minimum necessary processes, restore
previous settings, and lots more.
Safe Mode is the most commonly accessed feature available on the
Advanced Boot Options menu.
How Access the Advanced
Boot Options Menu:
The Advanced Boot Options menu is accessed by pressing F8 as the Windows splash screen begins to
load.
This method of accessing the Advanced Boot Options menu applies
to all versions of Windows that includes the menu, including Windows 7, Windows
Vista, Windows XP, etc.
In older versions of Windows, the equivalent menu is accessed by
holding down the Ctrl key while Windows is starting.
How To Use the Advanced
Boot Options Menu:
The Advanced Boot Options menu, in and of itself, doesn't do
anything - it's just a menu of options. Selecting one of the options and
pressing Enter will start that mode of Windows, or
that diagnostic tool, etc.
In other words, using the Advanced Boot Options menu means using
the individual options contained on the menu screen.
Advanced Boot Options:
Here are the various tools and startup methods you'll find on
the Advanced Boot Options menu across Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP:
Repair Your Computer
The Repair
Your Computer option starts a
System Recovery Options, a set of diagnostic and repair tools including Startup
Repair, System Restore, Command Prompt, and more.
The Repair Your
Computer option is available
in Windows 7 by default. In Windows Vista, the option is only available if
System Recovery Options has been installed on the hard drive. If not, you can
always access System Recovery Options from the Windows Vista DVD.
System Recovery Options isn't available in Windows XP so you
you'll never see Repair Your
Computer on the Windows Advanced
Options Menu.
Safe Mode
The Safe Mode option starts Windows in Safe Mode, a
special diagnostic mode of Windows. In Safe Mode, only the bare necessities are
loaded, hopefully allowing Windows to start so you can make changes and perform
diagnostics.
There are actually three individual options for Safe Mode on the
Advanced Boot Options menu:
Safe Mode with Networking: Same as Safe
Mode, but also includes drivers and services needed to enable the network.
Safe Mode with Command Prompt: Same as Safe
Mode, but loads the Command Prompt as the user interface instead of
Explorer.
In general, try Safe Mode first. If that doesn't work, try Safe Mode with Command Prompt,
assuming you have command-line troubleshooting
plans. Try Safe Mode with
Networking if you'll need
network or Internet access while in Safe Mode.
Enable Boot Logging
The Enable Boot
Logging option will keep a
log of the drivers being loaded during the Windows boot process.
If Windows fails to start, you can reference this log and
determine which driver was last successfully loaded, or first unsuccessfully
loaded, giving you a starting point for your troubleshooting.
Enable low-resolution video
(640x480)
The Enable
low-resolution video (640x480) option
decreases the screen resolution to 640x480, as well as lowering the refresh rate. This option does not change the display driver in any way.
This Advanced Boot Option tool is most useful
when the screen resolution has been changed to one that the monitor you're
using can't support, giving you an opportunity to enter Windows at a
universally accepted resolution so you can then set it to an appropriate one.
In Windows XP, this option is listed as Enable VGA Mode but functions exactly the same.
Last Known Good
Configuration (advanced)
The Last
Known Good Configuration (advanced) option
starts Windows with the drivers andregistry data
that were recorded the last time Windows was successfully started and then shut
down.
This tool on the Advanced Boot Option menu is a great thing to
try first, before any other troubleshooting, because it returns a lot of really
important configuration information back to a time when Windows worked.
If a startup problem you're having is due to a registry or
driver change, Last Known Good Configuration could be a really simple fix.
Directory Services Restore
Mode
The Directory
Services Restore Mode option
repairs the directory service.
This tool on the Advanced Boot Options menu is only applicable
to Active Directory domain controllers and has no use in a normal home, nor in
most small business, computer environments.
Debugging Mode
The Debugging
Mode option enables debug
mode in Windows, an advanced diagnostic mode where data about Windows can be
sent to connected "debugger."
Disable automatic restart
on system failure
The Disable
automatic restart on system failure option
stops Windows from restarting after a serious system failure, like a Blue Screen of Death.
If you can't disable automatic restart from within Windows because Windows won't fully start,
this Advanced Boot Option suddenly become very useful.
In some early versions of Windows XP, the Disable automatic restart on system
failure is not available on
the Windows Advanced Options Menu. However, assuming you're not dealing with a
Windows startup issue, you can do this from within Windows: How To Disable the Automatic Restart on System Failure in
Windows XP.
Disable Driver Signature
Enforcement
The Disable
Driver Signature Enforcement option
allows drivers that are not digitally signed to be installed in Windows.
This option is not available on Windows XP's Windows Advanced
Options Menu.
Start Windows Normally
The Start
Windows Normally option
starts Windows just as it normally starts.
In other words, this Advanced Boot Option is equivalent to
allowing Windows to start as you do every day, as if you didn't enter the
Advanced Boot Option menu at all.
Reboot
The Reboot option is only available in Windows XP
and does just that - it reboots your computer.
Advanced Boot Options Menu
Availability:
The Advanced Boot Options menu is available in most Microsoft
Windows versions including Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and the
Windows server operating systems.
In earlier versions of Windows like Windows 98 and Windows 95,
the Advanced Boot Options menu was called the Microsoft
Windows Startup Menu and
functioned similarly, although without as many diagnostic tools as is available
in later versions of Windows.
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