need help installing joystick

I need advice on how to get my son's new joystick to work. It's a Microsoft Sidewinder Precision 2. My OS is a Dell OEM version of Windows Me. Microsoft tech support tells me Me and the Sidewinder 2 are fully compatible. My PC is a Dell Dimension L 800CXE.

Here's what happens: During the joystick software installation process, the setup program instructs me to plug the joystick into a USB port. At this point my computer gets stuck. I haven't been able to get beyond this point in the installation process.

MS tech support advised me to boot into safe mode, go to device manager and remove all the USB controllers. Then I was supposed to reboot and plug the joystick into the USB port while Windows was restarting.

My first problem is that for some reason I can't boot into safe mode. I've tried pressing CTRL and F8 during the start-up process, but these get me to a start-up menu that does not include safe mode as an option. I'v also tried booting off my system disk -- both with and without my Dell Resource Disk loaded in the CD-ROM. This also gets me to a start-up menu that does not include safe mode as an option. Finally, I tried removing the USB controllers in regular Windows mode, but this crashed the computer and I had to use system restore to get it back up and running.

So the first thing I need to know is how to boot my PC into safe mode.

The second thing I need to know is if there's something about either my Dimension L or about Dell's OEM version of Windows Me that doesn't allow me to install the Sidewinder 2.

Finally, if the answer to question #2 is no, what do I need to do to install the joystick.

I'd be much obliged for any help anyone can provide. The joystick was a birthday present for my son and so far I've spent several hours trying to get it to work.

Thanks,
--erhard