The Computer Always Starts in Safe Mode (306615)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 98
This article was previously published under Q306615

SYMPTOMS

When you start your computer, it may always start in Safe mode. This may be the case even when you select Normal on the Startup menu, or when you click Normal startup on the General tab of the System Configuration utility.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if the [Options] section of the Msdos.sys file contains the following line:

BootSafe=1

This setting forces your computer to start in Safe mode.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, edit the Msdos.sys file by doing one of the following:
  • Remove the BootSafe=1 line from the Msdos.sys file.

    -or-
  • Change the BootSafe=1 line to BootSafe=0.
To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, point to Find, and then click Files or Folders.
  2. In the Named box, type msdos.sys.
  3. In the Look In box, click the drive on which Windows is installed (usually drive C), and then click Find Now.
  4. Right-click the Msdos.sys file, and then click Properties.
  5. Click to clear the Read-Only and Hidden check boxes to remove these attributes from the Msdos.sys file, and then click OK.
  6. Right-click the Msdos.sys file, and then click Open With.
  7. In the Choose the program you want to use box, click WordPad, and then click OK.
  8. Do one of the following:
    • Delete the BootSafe=1 line.

      -or-
    • Change the value in the BootSafe=1 line to BootSafe= 0.
  9. On the File menu, click Save.
  10. Right-click the Msdos.sys file, and then click Properties.
  11. Click to select the Read-Only and Hidden check boxes to set the attributes for the file, and then click OK.
  12. Restart your computer.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about the Windows Msdos.sys file, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

118579 Contents of the Windows Msdos.sys File

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:12/20/2004
Keywords:kbprb kbui KB306615
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.