Advanced Options in Windows XP

To view the list of advanced options of windows XP, press F8 key before windows starts booting

Safe Mode

Starts windows using only basic files and drivers {mouse(except serial mouse),monitor,keyboard,mass storage,base video,default system services and no network connections).Once in safe mode, you can restore files that are missing or fix a configuration errors.

Safe Mode with networking

Same as safe mode(above) but tries to load the network components and drivers as well.

Safe Mode with Command Prompt

Similar to safe mode but doesn't load thw windows GUI(Graphic User Interface).Presents the user with a windows command prompt interface.

Enable Boot Logging

Logs all the boot information to a file named ntblog.txt.This file can be found in the \WINNT directory. You can then check the log of assistance in diagnosing system startup problems.

Enable VGA Mode

Starts windows using the basic VGA driver but loads the rest of the system as normal. If you happen to install an incorrect video driver or a video driver curropts,this allows you to get into the system and fix the problem.

Last Knon Good Configuration

Useful if you have changed a configuration setting in the registry,which then causes the system to have serious problems and you are not able to log in.Use last known good configuration to restore the system to a prior functional state which will allow you to log in again.It will not save you from a curropt file or a deleted file error.

Directory Services Restore Mode

Used only with the domain controller. If Choosen boots into a mode that doesn't load directory services.this enables you to restore directory services such as Active Directory, to the ,achine.(You can't restore directory services if directory services are running)

Debugging Mode

A sort of advanced boot logging.Required that another machine be hooked up to the computer through serial port.The debug information is then passed to that machine during the boot process.This option is rarely used and shouldn't be bothered with it in most cases.If it comes to this,re-installing is far faster.

Boot Normally(Start Windows Normally)

Continues to boot normally.It's equivalent to the normal option in windows 9X.

Reboot( Windows XP only )

Reboots the computer (warm boot)

Return to OS choices menu(Windows XP only)

Returns you to the choices to the OSs installed