How to Start a Computer

Learn different ways to turn on your PC or Mac

This How.com.vn teaches you how to turn on your computer, both in normal mode and in the diagnostic "safe" start-up mode. Safe mode loads only your computer's default programs, doesn't start up programs as you log in, and reduces your computer's display quality.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Starting Your Computer in Normal Mode

1
Make sure your computer is plugged into a power source. If you're using a desktop computer, you cannot turn it on without first plugging it in; laptop computers can run on battery power but should be plugged in to negate a low battery or other problems while starting up.
- If you're plugging into a surge protector (e.g., a power strip) instead of a traditional wall outlet, you'll also need to make sure that the surge protector is on.
- A laptop's charger typically plugs into the left or right side of the laptop's housing.
2
Locate your computer's power button
. The power button symbol resembles a circle with a vertical line through it. Power button location will vary from computer to computer, but you can typically find the power button in one of the following locations:
- Laptop - Left, right, or front side of the housing. Sometimes the power button also appears as a key near the top of the keyboard, or as a button in the area above or below the keyboard.
- Desktop - On the front or back of the computer's case, which is the box-shaped piece of hardware that your computer screen connects to. Some iMac desktops have the power button on the back of the monitor or the keyboard instead.
3
Press the power button
. You don't need to hold down the power button to turn on the computer. You should hear the computer's internal fan and disk drive begin spinning; after a few seconds, your computer's monitor will also light up and display either the start-up screen or the login screen, depending on whether the computer was off or sleeping.
- For a laptop, you'll first need to open the screen by pulling it up and away from the laptop's housing.
- If your desktop computer doesn't turn on, try pressing your monitor's power button as well. It may be the case that your computer is on but the monitor is not.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Restarting Your PC in Safe Mode (Windows 8 and 10)

1
Press your PC's power button
. The power button symbol resembles a circle with a vertical line through it. To initiate safe mode on a Windows 8 or 10 computer, you must first start the computer in normal mode.
- If needed, plug your PC's charger or cord into a power outlet before continuing.
Once your computer finishes starting (or waking up), you should see a screen with a picture and the time in the bottom-left corner. Clicking this screen will bring up the user selection screen.
It's the circle icon with a line through its top in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
It should be on the left side of your computer's keyboard.
5
Hold down ⇧ Shift while clicking Restart. The Restart option will appear above or below the power icon; clicking it while holding ⇧ Shift will restart your computer and load the Advanced Options menu, from which you can choose safe mode.
- You may need to click Restart anyway after clicking Restart. If so, keep holding ⇧ Shift while you do.
This screen is blue with white text.
It should be the middle option on the screen.
This item is at the bottom of the screen.
It's on the right side of the screen.
You'll see this button toward the bottom-right corner of the screen.
When it does, you'll see a blue screen with white text appear.
Doing so will select the "Safe Mode" option, confirming that you wish to restart your computer in safe mode.
Depending on your computer's processing speed, this process' time will vary.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Starting Your PC in Safe Mode (Windows XP, Vista, and 7)

1
Locate the F8 key. This key is in the row of keys at the top of your PC's keyboard. When starting up your computer, you'll hold down F8 to enter the safe mode options panel.
- If your PC has an Fn key at the bottom-left side of the keyboard, you may need to press it and F8 at the same time to activate safe mode.
2
Press your PC's power button
. This will start your computer.
- If your computer was simply sleeping, press and hold the power button until the computer turns off, then press it again to turn on your PC.
3
Press and hold F8. You'll do this immediately after your computer begins to start up. This action will launch the boot menu, which is where you'll find the option to start in safe mode.
- If nothing happens while holding F8, restart your computer, then press and hold Fn+F8.
This key should be on the right side of your keyboard.
Doing so will start up your computer in safe mode.
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Starting Your Mac in Safe Mode

1
Locate your Mac's ⇧ Shift key. You'll find this key on the left side of the keyboard on most Mac computers.
- If needed, plug your Mac's charger or cord into a power outlet before continuing.
2
Press your Mac's power button
. This will prompt the Mac to begin starting up.
- If your Mac was sleeping, first hold down the power button until the Mac turns off, then press it again to start up the Mac.
You'll need to do this immediately after starting your Mac.^{[1]XResearch source}
This gray image will have a bar beneath it. Once the bar finishes loading, you'll be able to log into your Mac and view your system in safe mode.
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Question
What do I do if my Gateway computer won't turn on after I put it to sleep?
AdabuGaben
Community Answer
Power it off and restart it.
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Question
What is starting up called in computer lingo?
Community Answer
It is commonly called "booting up."
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How can I require a password to open my Windows at start up?
Community Answer
You can find this option in your settings, and adjust it accordingly.
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Tips

On both Macs and PCs, you will likely be asked for a password in order to log into an account once the computer finishes starting up.
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Helpful1 Not Helpful1
You can exit safe mode by restarting your computer. This will work for PCs and Macintosh computers alike.
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