Safe Mode
If a server fails to start after you install a device driver, new software or
a new service, you can start it in Safe Mode with a minimal set of drivers and services. Once it is running in Safe Mode, you can disable or remove the driver, program or service causing the problem. The following table lists the Safe Mode options available in Windows Server 2003:
| Safe Mode Option | When to Use |
|---|---|
| Safe Mode | Remove program, driver or service that prevents Windows Server 2003 from starting. |
| Safe Mode with Networking Support | Use to verify that network components are working properly. |
| Safe Mode with Command Prompt | Use to run command-line utilities only. After logon, only a command prompt appears. Try running this option if Safe Mode does not work. |
Safe Mode is installed by default on Windows Server 2003. If the server fails to start after you install new software (eg: a service pack), install new hardware, or make some other change, uninstall the software pack or hardware in Safe Mode. If the server starts up after you remove the offending component, you can be sure that the item you removed was the source of the problem. Safe Mode is accessed as follows:
- Restart the server.
- Press the F8 key before the Windows Server 2003 splash screen appears.
- Use the arrow keys to select a Safe Mode option and press Enter.
- Log on to the server as the administrator. A message box will inform you that you have logged on using Safe mode.
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