If your installation of Microsoft Windows Vista is locked into reduced functionality mode due to an expired trial period or a licensing error, you can access your files and most of your programs through the Vista's safe mode without having to use Internet Explorer as a file browser or being logged out automatically after an hour.

You will not, however, be able to access safe mode with network support. USB support is present, allowing you to copy data off your machine.

Software such as Office and most non-3D applications will work just fine in safe mode, and though the default monitor resolution is locked at an ugly 800x600, you can easily change this anywhere up to 1600x1200 using Vista's built in video drivers.

To change video resolution in Windows Vista safe mode:

Right click on an empty area of the desktop and select 'personalize.' Choose 'display settings'. Use the 'resolution' slider to change your monitor to the desired resolution. Wide screen monitors are unfortunately not supported. Click 'ok' and accept the resolution change.

By now, you should have a good idea of the variety of options available in Windows Vista's safe modes. Chances are good that if you can boot into safe mode in the first place, one of the above processes is the solution for your computing dilemma.

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- 99 Windows Vista Performance Tips and Tweaks - Safe Mode in Windows Vista For Crash Recovery - 10 Steps to a Secure PC - 101 Tips and Tweaks for Windows XP - 104 Killer Tech Tips for Windows XP - 99 Performance Tips for Windows XP - Annual PC Checkup Checklist - Assembling Your Own PC - Back up and Restore Data in WinXP - Browser Hijacking and How to Stop it - Building a Home Theatre PC / HTPC - Burning CDs and DVDs - Cloning WindowsXP - Converting Videotape Into Video Files - Crash Recovery: The Blue Screen of Death - Creating a Weblog / Blog - Creating MP3 Music Files - Decrypting Lost Document & Zipped File Passwords - Diagnosing Bad Hard Drives - Diagnosing Bad Memory - Dual OS Installation of WindowsXP 32-bit/64-bit - Encryption and Online Privacy - Ergonomics & Computers - Flashing a Video Card BIOS - Flash Memory Data Recovery and Protection - Firewalls and Internet Security - Firewall Setup and Configuration - Forgotten Passwords & Recovery Methods - Formatting and Partitioning a Hard Drive - Fundamentals of Upgrading a PC - Hard Drive Data Recovery - Home Networking and File Sharing - How to Install An Intel Socket 775 CPU and Heatsink - How to Fix Homesite Design Mode to Work in WindowsXP/ Vista - How To Make a Budget Desktop Computer on the Cheap - How to Update a Motherboard BIOS - Installing RAID on Desktop PCs - Installing WindowsXP

- Internet Connection Sharing - Legally Copying Software and Music - Linux Part 1: Getting Familiar - Linux Part 2: Installing a PC - Linux Part 3: New Software - Little Known Features of WindowsXP - Making DVD Movies from Video Files - Most Common Ways to Kill a PC - Optical Drives & Recording Formats - Overclocking the CPU, Motherboard & Memory - Overclocking the Videocard - Preventing Data Theft from a Stolen Laptop - Printer Sharing on a Home Network - Quick Guide for Eliminating Spyware and Hijacker Software - RAM, Memory and Upgrading - Registry: Backups, Repairs, and Protection - Remote Access to Computers - RSS Feed Setup & Subscriptions - Setting up an FTP Server in WinXP - Slipstreaming WindowsXP with Service Pack 2 - Spyware Protection and Removal - Stopping Spam - Synchronizing Files and Folders - Unattended Windows 2000/XP Installations - Understanding & Creating Batch Files - Understanding & Tweaking WindowsXP Services - Upgrading A Motherboard Without Reinstalling - Upgrading Win98 to Windows XP - USB Memory Drive Projects & Tips - VPNs and Internet Connection Security - Website Hosting From A Home PC - Website Hosting With Apache - Windows XP Command Prompt - Windows XP Safe Mode Explained - Wireless Home Networking - Wireless Network Security Got an idea for a Guide we haven't already covered? Send it in.