Booting Vista in Safe Mode

[pjhjones]

I have a dell laptop with Vista factory installed. The other day is stopped
booting and it can not repair itself. I am attempting to get into safe mode
to check a few things out. However pressing or holding F8 while rebooting
does not work for me. I have tried about 50 times.

If I can not get windows to load are there any other ways through the
command prompt or something to get windows to load in safe mode?

 

[AJR]

Some OEMs use the F8 key to activate the repair utility - at boot check edge
of screen for indication of another key for safe mode - usual option is F10.

 

[Bob]

https://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dellcare/en/backupcd_form

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

I have a dell laptop with Vista factory installed. The other day is stopped
booting and it can not repair itself. I am attempting to get into safe mode
to check a few things out. However pressing or holding F8 while rebooting
does not work for me. I have tried about 50 times.

If I can not get windows to load are there any other ways through the
command prompt or something to get windows to load in safe mode?

I have never managed to get to safe mode by holding F8 down. The only
method that works for me is to press it repeatedly - it makes me sound like
a woodpecker

My theory is that key repeat is not yet available so early in the boot
process.

 

[Poutnik]

I have never managed to get to safe mode by holding F8 down. The only
method that works for me is to press it repeatedly - it makes me sound like
a woodpecker

My theory is that key repeat is not yet available so early in the boot
process.

I have similar experience.
I can get to Safe mode by F8 holding only by chance,
if holding starts in the right moment.

So, I keep woodpecking..