It is sometimes necessary to install the TaxACT program in "Safe Mode". This can be a result of a number of conflicts between other programs, device drivers, or other software and the TaxACT installation program. These conflicts can cause the installation program to freeze, abnormally quit, or even lock the system.

Installing into "Safe Mode" is a relatively simple process and can be completed by using the following steps.

Important: You should print these instructions before continuing. They will not be available after you restart your computer.

Booting into Safe Mode and Installing TaxACT

1. If using the Download installation, be sure to save the install file in a location you will easily find later.
2. Click Start, click Shut Down, and then, in the drop-down list, click Shut down.
3. In the Shut Down Windows dialog box, click Restart, and then click OK.
4. When you see the message stating "Starting Windows" with the progress bar, press the -F8- Key
5. Use the arrow keys to highlight the appropriate safe mode option (see explanation below), and press -ENTER-.
6. If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot system, choose the installation that you need to access using the arrow keys, and then press ENTER.
7. Install the TaxACT program by either inserting the CD into the CD drive or by locating and launching the installation program you saved in step 1.

Safe Mode Explanation

In safe mode, you have access to only basic files and drivers (mouse, monitor, keyboard, mass storage, base video, default system services, and no network connections). You can choose the Safe Mode with Networking option, which loads all of the above files and drivers and the essential services and drivers to start networking, or you can choose the Safe Mode with Command Prompt option, which is exactly the same as safe mode except that a command prompt is started instead of the graphical user interface. You can also choose Last Known Good Configuration, which starts your computer using the registry information that was saved at the last shutdown.

Safe mode helps you diagnose problems. If a symptom does not reappear when you start in safe mode, you can eliminate the default settings and minimum device drivers as possible causes. If a newly added device or a changed driver is causing problems, you can use safe mode to remove the device or reverse the change.

There are circumstances where safe mode will not be able to help you, such as when Windows system files that are required to start the system are corrupted or damaged. In this case, the Recovery Console may help you.

Description of the Windows Recovery Console at Microsoft's Help and Support