You shouldn't need to press the Fn + F8 key to get the startup menu, just try pressing the F8 key and see if that works. It is tricky to get the timing right as it has to be done after the laptop POST's but before Windows starts to load so it may take a couple of boots to get it.
Actually since it's a laptop and does not have the full keyboard, to hit F8, I need to hold down the function key. The F8 command is blue, corresponding with the FN key. F2 and F10 work accordingly with the FN key. I pressed F8 + FN about 30 times from the moment it started booting up until the time the desktop loaded. No response. I did this cycle 4-5 times. I have reloaded windows before, however not on this computer. The key prompt for reloading has always worked in the past.
Hmmm, interesting. I've had several Dell laptops and haven't had to press the Fn + F8 key to get to the startup menu before but maybe it's something new. You might also try pressing F12 as that's usually another boot-up menu of sorts that might have a diagnostic or utility partition menu available.
It would help if you said exactly what model you have. The function key does not work before windows loads, so you should try just the F8 key. At the first screen as soon as you reboot, tap just the F8 key in regular rhythmic taps. If you have a windows repair disk--which you should have made when you first got the computer--you can boot to that to get to the repair menu. If you can get to windows, you could even make one now in Backup and Restore. Directions for reinstalling win 7 HERE.
Y'all were right!!! Function button shouldn't be pressed during boot up. Odd because it has to be pressed every other time. It's doing the Dell Data Safe Backup right now. Thanks!!!!!! Life savers!
Short_Bus
269 Posts
0
April 11th, 2011 08:00
You shouldn't need to press the Fn + F8 key to get the startup menu, just try pressing the F8 key and see if that works. It is tricky to get the timing right as it has to be done after the laptop POST's but before Windows starts to load so it may take a couple of boots to get it.
ali_squidz
4 Posts
0
April 11th, 2011 10:00
Actually since it's a laptop and does not have the full keyboard, to hit F8, I need to hold down the function key. The F8 command is blue, corresponding with the FN key. F2 and F10 work accordingly with the FN key. I pressed F8 + FN about 30 times from the moment it started booting up until the time the desktop loaded. No response. I did this cycle 4-5 times. I have reloaded windows before, however not on this computer. The key prompt for reloading has always worked in the past.
Short_Bus
269 Posts
0
April 11th, 2011 13:00
Hmmm, interesting. I've had several Dell laptops and haven't had to press the Fn + F8 key to get to the startup menu before but maybe it's something new. You might also try pressing F12 as that's usually another boot-up menu of sorts that might have a diagnostic or utility partition menu available.
Mary G
4 Operator
•
20.1K Posts
0
April 11th, 2011 14:00
It would help if you said exactly what model you have. The function key does not work before windows loads, so you should try just the F8 key. At the first screen as soon as you reboot, tap just the F8 key in regular rhythmic taps. If you have a windows repair disk--which you should have made when you first got the computer--you can boot to that to get to the repair menu. If you can get to windows, you could even make one now in Backup and Restore. Directions for reinstalling win 7 HERE.
ali_squidz
4 Posts
0
April 11th, 2011 16:00
Y'all were right!!! Function button shouldn't be pressed during boot up. Odd because it has to be pressed every other time. It's doing the Dell Data Safe Backup right now. Thanks!!!!!! Life savers!
ali_squidz
4 Posts
0
April 11th, 2011 16:00
it's an inspiron 1545. I will test the F8 only key quick.... be right back!