how to start in safe mode

[gordon]

Hi

I only have a usb keyboard and i am running windows xp pro sp2.

when i try to start in safe mode to run any diagnostics or virus scans I am
unable to do that by holding the F8 key because possibly the usb keyboard
needs drivers to load??

Is there anyway to force the system to start in safe mode either
programatically of through an option or similar?

Or alternatively, do you know if there is a setting that will automatically
load the usb keyboard in start up to enable the F8 key to point to safe
mode,

doug

 

[JustMe]

Hi

I only have a usb keyboard and i am running windows xp pro sp2.

when i try to start in safe mode to run any diagnostics or virus scans I
am unable to do that by holding the F8 key because possibly the usb
keyboard needs drivers to load??

Is there anyway to force the system to start in safe mode either
programatically of through an option or similar?

Or alternatively, do you know if there is a setting that will
automatically load the usb keyboard in start up to enable the F8 key to
point to safe mode,

doug

Click Start, Run, enter MSCONFIG, click the boot.ini tab, check the safemode
box under boot options.

 

[Patrick Keenan]

Hi

I only have a usb keyboard and i am running windows xp pro sp2.

when i try to start in safe mode to run any diagnostics or virus scans I
am unable to do that by holding the F8 key because possibly the usb
keyboard needs drivers to load??

Is there anyway to force the system to start in safe mode either
programatically of through an option or similar?

Yes, there is.

Use MSCONFIG (start, run, msconfig) and on the Boot.ini tab select
"/safeboot".

This will force restarts to be in Safe mode. To get back to regular mode,
re-run msconfig and remove the checkbox.

Or alternatively, do you know if there is a setting that will
automatically load the usb keyboard in start up to enable the F8 key to
point to safe mode,

doug

This is a system limitation, and some systems are simply not capable of
using a USB keyboard at that part of the boot sequence (even if it's all
they shipped with). But you can try USB options in the BIOS.

Alternately, get a PS/2 keyboard and keep it handy for when you need to boot
this way.


HTH
-pk

 

[Tom Willett]

gordon: See if this helps:

http://www.smartcomputing.com/Editorial/article.asp?article=articles/2004/w1510/25w02/25w02.asp&guid

 

[Guest]

LFR>>>
Using the System Configuration Tool Method

Step 1: Close all programs so that you have nothing open and are at the
desktop.
Step 2: Click on the Start button then click on Run.
Step 3: In the Run field type: msconfig
Step 4: Press the OK button and the System Configuration Utility will start up
Step 5: Click on the tab labeled "BOOT.INI"
Step 6: Put a checkmark in the checkbox labeled "/SAFEBOOT" Then press the
OK button. After pressing the button you will be presented with a
confirmation box
Step 7: Press the Restart button and let the computer reboot. It will now
boot up into Safe Mode.
Step 8: When the computer boots up do what diagnostic or troubleshooting
tasks that you need to do.
Step 9. When are finished with your tasks, complete steps 1-7 again, but in
Step 6 this time uncheck the checkbox labeled "/SAFEBOOT". Then click on the
General tab and set it for Normal startup.
Step 10: Reboot the computer back into normal mode.

 

[Phil Weldon]

'doug' wrote, in part:
| when i try to start in safe mode to run any diagnostics or virus scans I
am
| unable to do that by holding the F8 key because possibly the usb keyboard
| needs drivers to load??
|
_____

Try a USB keyboard setting in your BIOS (if you access to it.)

Phil Weldon

| Hi
|
| I only have a usb keyboard and i am running windows xp pro sp2.
|
| when i try to start in safe mode to run any diagnostics or virus scans I
am
| unable to do that by holding the F8 key because possibly the usb keyboard
| needs drivers to load??
|
| Is there anyway to force the system to start in safe mode either
| programatically of through an option or similar?
|
| Or alternatively, do you know if there is a setting that will
automatically
| load the usb keyboard in start up to enable the F8 key to point to safe
| mode,
|
| doug
|
|

 

[gordon]

Thanks so much.

Doug