php safe mode is always on---I have the same issue
My OS: Linux 2.6.18-238.9.1.el5 x86_64 GNU/Linux
Pannel:10.4.4
PHP: PHP Version 5.3.6
Server: 64 bits
My global php safe mode is off, /var/www/vhosts/domain name/etc/php.ini safe mode is off. Also I turn off safe mode through plesk...