Clean Installing Windows in Safemode

Larkina · Post by **Larkina** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 9:00 pm

Is there a such thing as performing a clean install in safemode? I know that you wouldn't be able to install your networking drivers but for your core components like chipset and audio, video is this okay to do it that way? However, I installed Windows XP Pro this way everything except the networking parts and it seems to be okay. It somehow seem to lack the zip that I'm use to but it seems to work okay. What is the downside to doing this or what is the advantage if there is one.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 9:10 pm

I'm not sure what you mean clean install in safe mode?

Clean install, to me, boot from the OS CD...wipe the C partition clean..and proceed with installing Windows nice and fresh.

Do you mean install Windows on top of itself? To get some zip back..but keep all programs, data, settings, etc?

Larkina · Post by **Larkina** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 10:48 pm

I meant performing a clean install wiping the harddrive, partitioning, the whole nine yards. Rebooting the system with the installation disk in the tray and performing a clean fresh copy of Windows XP.

Larkina · Post by **Larkina** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 10:50 pm

Excuse me It's not performing a clean installation in Safemode but after the clean install has been performed going into safemode and installing the core components like the chipset drivers, video drivers, audio driver. etc.

Larkina · Post by **Larkina** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 10:55 pm

After installing Windows XP can or is it possible to install your system drivers while in safemode? I realize you can't install the network driver as I stated before but you can install the chipset, audio and video drivers and thank you in advance for the info. I'm sorry the question was stated wrong.

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 11:24 pm

I see no reason why you need to install the drivers in safe mode.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 5:28 am

Probably depends on the installer package used by the driver setup utility...I've not tried it, but you need the Windows Installer Service for some installs, and it's not running in safe mode. So you can only install some software packages in safe mode, those that run their own installer engine.

However, on a clean XP install, I see no advantage to installing drivers in safe mode. I use safe mode to install some anti-malware tools, and try to uninstall some adware programs on infested rigs...as well as run scans. The advantage of running these in safe mode is that less windows services are running...therefore scans run quicker and the machine runs quicker, and since some services aren't running...the worm/trojan/malware may also not be running..hence better chance of removing its files since they are less likely to be in use.

You can run safe mode with a networking support option BTW.

TonyT · Post by **TonyT** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 7:19 am

By it's name alone, Safe Mode means the comp boots w/out 3rd party drivers and ONLY uses generic windows drivers for hardware, thus installing hardware drivers in safe mode is risky & not a good idea. Third party drivers usually have other dependencies, such as mentioned above re Windows Installer service, .NET Framework, etc. It CAN be done but the risk is that when booting in Normal mode the hardware does not work as expected.

XP Safe Mode loads generic: video, mouse, keyboard, NO NET unless specified, etc.

Larkina · Post by **Larkina** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 7:58 pm

I understand exactly what you're saying. I didn't quite know the difference thinking it might be an advantage to installing software in safemode. I quest like you said some software can be but not all, although I do uninstall some programs in safemode and just as yourself run anti spyware and antivirus software because of System Restore mainly. Thank you for the infomation.

TonyT · Post by **TonyT** » Sat Aug 26, 2006 8:02 am

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/safe_mode.html

safe mode

A specific way for the Windows operating system to load when there is a system-critical problem interfering with the normal operation of Windows. Safe mode allows the user to troubleshoot the operating system to determine what is not functioning properly. For example, adding new software or drivers for a hardware device to the system can cause conflicts with existing programs. Safe mode is a way to find out what the problem is.

In safe mode, the only startup programs that are loaded are the operating system and drivers for the mouse, keyboard and standard VGA display modes. Safe mode does not run the autoexec.bat or config.sys files. The main portion of the Registry is not loaded. Himem.sys, which is normally loaded as part of the config.sys script, is loaded with the /testmem on switch, which tells the computer to test the extended memory before continuing. Windows also boots using a batch file called system.cb instead of the standard system.ini file while in safe mode.