Hi, I hate to ask a stupid question but what exactly does starting NW1 in 'Safe Mode' do? There is the regular game executable and then there is the same thing except in 'safe mode' and I can't find anything that describes what that does. Also, how do I tell what patch version this game is? Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

'Safe Mode' is a sound option, not a game option, and is used for compatibility when some systems' sound drivers interfere with the proper running of the game -- note that Safe Mode is set from the configuration utility.

As for the version, run the main executable (nwn.exe) and the version is in the top left corner.

Thank you so very much.

Starting "Neverwinter Nights (Safe Mode)" has nothing to do with the "Safe Mode" sound configuration.
The link starts \nwmain.exe" +TestNewModule "xyz" instead of just nwmain.exe.

nwmain.exe +TestNewModule "xyz" would immediately start NWN with the module "xyz". As this module doesn't exist, the game starts with the module selection, from where you can start the game or load savegames. This is a workaround from BioWare, for certain configurations, where your game crashes right on startup. By circumventing the usual start routine and jumping to module selection, is a way for these people to still play the game.
If the standard link starts the game on your system, there's no need to use Neverwinter Nights (Safe Mode), it doesn't do anything in-game anyway.

I've never heard of that, and don't see it in any documentation. I'm not doubting you... don't get me wrong. It's just a new one to me.

Ha, yeah, it'd been nice if they'd included a readme or something to describe what it did. I searched and searched but every search I put in 'safe mode' it just described the 'safe mode' for Windows, which obviously wasn't what I was looking for. Also, thanks to DeMignon. You've both been helpful.