startup issues

[zack]

windows will not start at all. I boot the computer and all
that happens is a flashing white underscore on the top
left of a black screen. writing this on a different
computer. no keys seem to respond at this point other than
control+alt+delete, which restarts the system.

 

[Crusty \(-: Old B@stard :-\)]

I saw the same condition on a computer where the bios was hung! I removed
the battery (overnight), put it back in the next morning and the computer
started. Had to redo all the settings in the bios, of course.

 

[Stephen Johnson]

Can you go into safe mode?

Stephen

 

[zack]

-----Original Message-----
Can you go into safe mode?

Stephen

this is a fairly new system to me, XP. how would i go into
safe mode in XP?

also, what do you mean by remove the battery, you mean
internally? or unplug it?

thanks

 

[Rory]

Posted here a few days ago:

For safe mode...while the system is booting..right after it polls the A:
drive..press F8 and hold for a sec or 2 and you should get a screen with
choices and one will be Windows Safe Mode.

 

[zack]

this does not work, at no point will the f8 do anything

 

[Crusty \(-: Old B@stard :-\)]

Press F8 repeatedly, about once per second, immediately after startup, when
the system begins booting! It does work! Haven't seen it fail yet.

 

[Gene K]

It cannot be done with the F8 key if the keyboard is hooked via a USB
connection since USB jacks are not powered up until Windows XP starts which
as you know is too late to get the advanced menu. He is either going to have
to reinstall his keyboard to operate via a PS2 connection [which I recommend
since I see no particular advantage to a USB hookup for a keyboard or mouse]
or use MSCONFIG to open the "System Configuration Utility" where he can
click the "Boot.ini" and select "Safe Boot" there.
Gene K

 

[KN]

I have mine hooked up to USB and it does work.

It cannot be done with the F8 key if the keyboard is hooked via a USB
connection since USB jacks are not powered up until Windows XP starts which
as you know is too late to get the advanced menu. He is either going to have
to reinstall his keyboard to operate via a PS2 connection [which I recommend
since I see no particular advantage to a USB hookup for a keyboard or mouse]
or use MSCONFIG to open the "System Configuration Utility" where he can
click the "Boot.ini" and select "Safe Boot" there.
Gene K

--
Gene K

Press F8 repeatedly, about once per second, immediately after
startup, when the system begins booting! It does work! Haven't seen
it fail yet.

 

[Crusty \(-: Old B@stard :-\)]

You have to enable USB legacy support in the bios.

It cannot be done with the F8 key if the keyboard is hooked via a USB
connection since USB jacks are not powered up until Windows XP starts which
as you know is too late to get the advanced menu. He is either going to have
to reinstall his keyboard to operate via a PS2 connection [which I recommend
since I see no particular advantage to a USB hookup for a keyboard or mouse]
or use MSCONFIG to open the "System Configuration Utility" where he can
click the "Boot.ini" and select "Safe Boot" there.
Gene K

--
Gene K

Press F8 repeatedly, about once per second, immediately after
startup, when the system begins booting! It does work! Haven't seen
it fail yet.

 

[Stephen Johnson]

Evidently he doesn't have a USB keyboard, or the legacy support is enabled
in the bios because he is able to press "Ctrl + Alt + Del" before windows is
up.

Stephen

 

[Stephen Johnson]

Try holding CTRL for the whole boot process until a menu appears. CTRL is
the alternative key to pressing F8.

Stephen