If you are talking about the Windows Repair program, then yes, it is advised to run it in Safe Mode with Networking.
You can also check to see if IE works in that mode.
If it does, then that could point to your AV program although I would have thought that would have blocked all browsers.
Just to confirm it isn't an add-on - go Start - All Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Internet Explorer (No Add-ons)
When that opens, click on the home page icon to see if you can browse.
If it works in that mode then restart IE - click on the Tools Cog - Manage add-ons - use the dropdown for All add-ons and manually disable all then restart IE and enable one back at a time - restart IE each time until the problem returns and that will be the buggy add-on.
If IE still isn't working then run these two free programs -
https://www.avast.com/en-gb/browser-cleanuphttp://www.anvisoft.com/browser-repair-tool.htmlWith the latter, click on the IE icon in the left pane and then you will what it resets/repairs.
You will need to reset your home page with its default settings