There are several ways.  One is to start tapping the F8 key (rather than just hitting it once) after the Dell screen comes up but before Windows loads.   Another way is to put a non-bootable floppy disk in the a: drive, then, when the error message comes up, remove the floppy and hit the F8 key twice.  You can also enable the boot menu in Windows ME, but I haven't used ME for so long that I forgot how to get to it.

Steve

OK I tried F8 and the only screen that comes up after the blue 'Dell' and before  Windows loads is a black screen that indicates 'keyboard error' and then Windows loads. What is a non-bootable floppy? Does anyone know of another way to get into safe mode in WindowsME. I am trying to scan disk in safe mode, because it took 24 hours and wasn't even a 1/4 of the way through. I have been getting a lot of error messages. I have been told that if I upgrade to XP that should take care of all the error messages that I am getting. Still need help!

You got the keyboard error because you held down the F8 key.  You need to tap the F8 key several times rather than holding down.  A non-bootable floppy disk is just about any floppy disk except the Windows ME Boot disk. 

You can also go to Start > Run and type msconfig then hit the Enter key.  Click on the Advanced tab and then check the box next to Enable Boot Menu (or something like that - I don't have any ME based computers on which to check the exact wording).   Just remember to come back in and change this setting back after you have finished, so you won't get the menu everytime you start the computer.

Steve

Steve, thank you soooo much. You can't imagine how much you helped a computer illiterate old lady.

dimples0621