How to start Mac OS X in Safe Mode:
To start up into Safe Mode (to Safe Boot), do this:
- Be sure the computer is shut down.
- Press the power button.
- Immediately after you hear the startup tone, hold the Shift key. The Shift key should be held as soon as possible after the startup tone but not before.
- Release the Shift key when you see the gray Apple icon and the progress indicator (looks like a spinning gear).
During startup in Mac OS X v10.4 or later, you will see “Safe Boot” on the login window, which appears even if you normally log in automatically. During startup in Mac OS X v10.2 through v10.3.9, you will see “Safe Boot” on the Mac OS X startup screen. To leave Safe Mode in any version of Mac OS X, restart the computer normally, without holding any keys during startup.