OK so I have a bit of time to send in my keys... except

So what to do with old bucks when dumpprivkey will not finish due to block chain catching up but 0 active connections?  it's been like this for over a month.
 
when I try and do any command from the console i get the following?

Safe mode: The blockchain is downloading and verifying blocks; do not create any new transactions until you get a Thumbs Up in the bottom right corner (code -2)

Thanks