A circuit for starting and operating a high intensity discharge (HID)lamp in a dc mode includes a pulse width modulator (PWM) coupled to first and second direct current input terminals. The PWM includes a high frequency generator driving a pair of semiconductor switches. A first transformer having primary and secondary windings is coupled to the semiconductor switches. A rectifier and voltage multiplier circuit converts the voltage across the secondary winding of the first transformer to a direct current voltage. A first energy storage circuit coupled to the rectifier and voltage multiplier circuit stores energy for generating a high voltage spike which initiates a glow condition in the lamp. A secondary energy storage circuit, which stores energy for application to the HID lamp during starting, insures proper glow-to-arc transition. The starting and operating circuit further includes a second transformer having first and second secondary windings coupled to the HID lamp and a pulse winding coupled to the first energy storage circuit. Preferably, the windings of the second transformer are adapted to apply a negative-going pulse across the lamp. The application of a negative-going pulse prevents failure of the quartz region of the glass around the lamp cathode by insuring that electrons properly migrate from the cathode to the anode. Moreover, the use of the negative-going pulse improves hot restriking.