Unable to boot into Safe Mode

Question

Let's see - I have tried tried the F1, F2, F5, F6, F7, F8 and F12 keys; the CTRL key, DEL key, ALT key, RIGHT SHIFT key and LEFT SHIFT key during the boot process and not once have I ever been able to get into Safe Mode. Not once.

Yes, I know that I can get into Safe Mode after I have logged onto my desktop, click on START > RUN > msconfig and choose the boot.ini /SAFEBOOT option. That is not what I am looking for. I need to be able to get into Safe Mode when I reboot. Period. Like every other computer I have owned or used for the past 10 years.

Oh, and I don't have a floppy drive installed. Dell, in it's infinite wisdom decided not to include one in their systems anymore. It certainly would have been nice to know that before it was purchased. And no, I didn't purchase it - my father did, as a gift for me. He certainly wouldn't know to ask for a floppy drive to begin with.

Any suggestions?

Lord Drago · Answer

Steve,

Thanks for the quick response. Tried hitting the F8 key before, during and after Windows loads. No luck getting into Safe Mode. This is the strangest thing I have ever seen. Well, not really, but right now, it's pretty darn close. For once, I would like something to work right with my brand new Dell (Dimension 2400).

Cyrus

volcano11 · Answer

Start tapping the F8 key before Windows starts to load.  Don't hold the key down, just tap it about once per second until it catches. Steve

gudgeon · Answer

Not by any chance using a USB keyboard, are you? If you are & you've got one with a PS/2 connection handy, try swapping to that & see if F8 works then.

NVRambo · Answer

If you can reach desktop normally, go to start/run/ type in 'msconfig' (no quotes), and then click on the "boot.ini" tab, then click the "safeboot" check box. Click "apply", "ok", and answer "yes" to restart.

That should get you into safe mode unless you're running Win2K, in which case I apologize.

DELL-Donald K · Answer

OK, try this. Newer systems sometimes get past the point for the options menu, before you can see enough on the screen for prompts.

Watch the keyboard lights. All 3 will flash on, then off 2 times, immediately after the 2nd time start pressing F8 about once per second, (faster overloads the keyboard buffer). If you are using a USB keyboard, ensure USB Emulation is Enabled in BIOS.

As far as the no floppy by default, it is considered a legacy device & most computer manufacturers do not include them as a standard item anymore. If the system is a 2400/4600 you can order the floppy drive kit D1143 from spare parts.

wags94596 · Answer

I have a Dell 8300 and have always had great difficulty getting into my BIOS because it boots so fast!

I have a Microsoft Multi-Media keyboard and have never been able to access my BIOS using F2. A Dell technician once told me to try F12, which is the Boot Sequence Menu, and sure enough it works!

Once inside the Boot Sequence Menu, you are given a list of options and you can toggle down to #4 on the Menu which is System Set-Up. It's really amazing how many Dell techs are unaware of this other route into the System Set-Up of your BIOS.

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Unable to boot into Safe Mode

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