This post is more than 5 years old
4 Posts
0
3294
July 1st, 2016 09:00
Accessing safe mode
I have a Dell Optiplex 745 refurbished desktop. I came with Windows 7 Pro installed. I subsequently upgraded to Windows 10, which afterwards installed the first update to the OS. About 10 days ago I got a message that some app had caused a problem and I lost all the folders on my desktop except the default ones. I decided to restore from a backup and the computer reverted to the original W 7 Pro. No problem, I thought. I have only to connect to the internet and upgrade again to W 10. Trouble is, I can't connect to the internet. There is no problem with the internet itself as other computers connect normally.
I've been on to Microsoft who have been helpful. The procedure recommended by them requires startup in Safe Mode. My problem is that I cannot. At startup I have two options - f2 Setup and f12 Boot Menu. Neither of these has a Safe Mode option.
Microsoft advises that I request assistance from Dell or the Dell Community to enable me to access Safe Mode startup. I must add that while I am not a complete novice with computers I am far from being an expert. Any help will be very much appreciated.
After all this is (hopefully) sorted I think I will stick with Windows 7!
speedstep
11 Legend
•
47K Posts
1
July 3rd, 2016 10:00
F8 goes away forever when WIN10 upgraded from 7. F8 ONLY applies to WIN7. Factory install is destroyed by the upgrade. WIN7 does not have native network drivers. If it worked before and doesn't now that's malware requiring scorched earth wipe everything re install.
Mary G
6 Operator
•
20.1K Posts
0
July 1st, 2016 13:00
Can you connect to your home network? If not, set up your network on the win 7 computer. Open Network and Sharing Center and use the Troubleshooter. Maybe the network card needs a win 7 driver reinstalled. FYI that model should not be updated to windows 10 since there are no win 10 drivers for the 10 yr old hardware. So it is a good idea to stick with win 7.
RoHe
12 Elder
•
45.2K Posts
•
172.6K Points
0
July 1st, 2016 17:00
Have you tried F8 for Safe Mode? Select Safe Mode+Networking. assuming F8 works.
Big Fella 3006
4 Posts
0
July 2nd, 2016 03:00
Mary, I cannot connect. However, since I posted my question I have found the repair disc that I made when I bought the computer. As I have made regular backups of all my files and folders, both on a separate hard disc and in cloud, perhaps I should use f12 in startup and boot from the repair disc??
Big Fella 3006
4 Posts
0
July 2nd, 2016 03:00
See my first post. f8 is not available to me!
Big Fella 3006
4 Posts
0
July 3rd, 2016 10:00
MaryG, thanks for your reply. I found a repair disc and a system image so I used them and have reverted to W 7. Everything working well now. Sorry to trouble you.