Safe Mode and Network Connections

[Jack Gillis]

I have always run Ad-Ware and Spybot from a normal boot. Today, I
decided to run them from within the Safe Mode. I booted to the Safe
Mode and tried to get an Ad-ware update and couldn't get an internet
connection. I normally connect through a router to a DSL line. I
looked at Control Panel/Network Connections and got a message saying
something like "Network Connections could not find a list of network
adapters." I returned to normal mode, checked for updates for both
Ad-ware and SpyBot, found none and returned to Safe Mode to run both
scans. Neither showed any problems.

Is it normal to be unable to connect to the internet via a router/dsl
modem setup while in Safe Mode?

Thank you.

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Jack,

Try "safe mode with networking". Regular Safe mode will usually disable the
network adapters.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Dan DiNicolo]

Safe Mode doesn't offer any networking capabilities - if you select Safe
Mode with Networking, you should be able to connect without issue.

Dan

 

[R. McCarty]

Use the Safe Mode sub-option "With Networking"

 

[Rock]

I have always run Ad-Ware and Spybot from a normal boot. Today, I
decided to run them from within the Safe Mode. I booted to the Safe
Mode and tried to get an Ad-ware update and couldn't get an internet
connection. I normally connect through a router to a DSL line. I
looked at Control Panel/Network Connections and got a message saying
something like "Network Connections could not find a list of network
adapters." I returned to normal mode, checked for updates for both
Ad-ware and SpyBot, found none and returned to Safe Mode to run both
scans. Neither showed any problems.

Is it normal to be unable to connect to the internet via a router/dsl
modem setup while in Safe Mode?

Thank you.

Yes, safe mode doesn't load the drivers. There is one option, though,
Safe Mode with networking, that will load minimal drivers to allow
internet connectivity. Not that some 3rd party firewalls won't run in
safe mode or safe mode with networking. If you are using one and go to
safe mode with networking make sure the XP firewall is active before
connecting to the internet.

 

[Jack Gillis]

Thanks to all who replied and amazingly with the same answer which
worked like a charm. Now why didn't I notice that when I chose the
plain vanilla Safe Mode? Go figure!

Thanks again.

 

[Malke]

Thanks to all who replied and amazingly with the same answer which
worked like a charm. Now why didn't I notice that when I chose the
plain vanilla Safe Mode? Go figure!

Thanks again.

Actually, Jack you don't want to use Safe Mode with Networking to scan
for malware. You want to get your updates first and then go into plain
Safe Mode. One of the reasons for not using a network connection while
scanning is that some of the malware will then be active.

Malke

 

[Jack Gillis]

Actually, Jack you don't want to use Safe Mode with Networking to scan
for malware. You want to get your updates first and then go into plain
Safe Mode. One of the reasons for not using a network connection while
scanning is that some of the malware will then be active.

Malke

Good point!

Thank you.