Inability to enter safe mode

[Guest]

Using Windows XP Pro SP2. I cannot get safe mode using F8. Also I have tried
to run mscofig. It does open but does not display any booy.ini tab. I get a
sys.ini and start.ini, but no boot.ini.

I know the F8 key works as my BIOS uses F8 to allow me to select boot drive.

Do I need to reinstall Windows?

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Do an install in place (aka repair install).

Instructions:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315341

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

If your SP2 was included on the XP cd, the link I posted will work. If you
added SP2 since installing Windows, you will have to uninstall SP2 before
attempting the install in place. If you cannot do that, then a clean
install may be necessary.

 

[Sharon F]

Using Windows XP Pro SP2. I cannot get safe mode using F8. Also I have tried
to run mscofig. It does open but does not display any booy.ini tab. I get a
sys.ini and start.ini, but no boot.ini.

I know the F8 key works as my BIOS uses F8 to allow me to select boot drive.

Do I need to reinstall Windows?

Try F5 instead of F8. In the past that was a shortcut key to booting in
safe mode. However, I just tried it here and like F8, it will bring up the
advanced start menu where you can elect to start in safe mode.

 

[Richard Urban]

I have a Microsoft keyboard with an F-lock key. During boot I have to press
the F-lock key to allow me to use F8.

Do you have the same situation.

Also, if you are using a USB keyboard, the bios may not see it so early in
the boot process. You may have to connect a PS2 adapter to the end of the
cable and plug into a PS2 keyboard port to allow you to accomplish entering
safe mode.

--
Regards,

Richard Urban

aka Crusty (-: Old B@stard

If you knew as much as you thought you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!