Windows now loads the regular system.ini file plus win.ini and Registry settings.
This file loads the Virtual Device Drivers (VxDs) that Windows uses to communicate with the standard parts of the computer.
Windows boots using a batch file called system.cb instead of the standard system.ini file.
If it does not find the Windows files, it will run to bring up a C: prompt. If it finds the files, it proceeds to load Windows in Safe Mode with the command win /d:m.
Safe Mode checks the msdos.sys file for information on where to find the rest of the Windows files.
This switch tells the computer to test the extended memory before continuing.
Himem.sys, which is normally loaded as part of the config.sys script, is loaded with the /testmem:on switch.
This mode is supported by all Windows-compatible video cards.
Instead of the normal graphics device driver, Safe Mode uses standard VGA graphics mode.
A device driver is the software that Windows uses to interact with a piece of hardware, such as a printer or scanner.
Safe Mode does not run the autoexec.bat or config.sys files.