Safe Mode

[codex57]

On Windows XP, how do you get to safe mode? Any other way than manually shutting off the computer to trick Windows into thinking there's a problem?

 

[wood_e]

I think F8 might do the trick. Hold it down during start up....

 

[Tom]

Hit the F8 key when it reboots.

 

[codex57]

I tried that and it's hard to do it right. Surprisingly, Symantec told me how (use msconfig and click the /safeboot button). Pretty easy that way. Thanks guys. You're like my computer gurus.

Stupid computers. Down to 2 working computers out of 4, and only this one has never crashed.

 

[MrElussive]

codex, there is a specific timing to the "F8" techinque. You have to push it when the computer is first starting up and says "Starting Windows XP..." in white text on a black screen (command prompt) at the bottom left corner...right after that, the Windows XP logo takes over and starts loading up. The thing is, computers are so damn fast now that the computer only flashes the "Starting Windows XP..." text therefore making it almost a really tough game to press F8 at the right time.
Anyways, my suggestion is to power on the computer and just repeatedly tap F8 until you are brought into the menu....this way you can't mess up.

 

[Tweet227]

Instead of the F8 route, you can also go to Start-Run-Open "msconfig". Then on the "BOOT.INI" tab check "/safeboot" and Ok and then a prompt will appear to restart your comp in safe mode. Once you make your changes go back and repeat the same steps, except you uncheck "/safeboot" and you will reboot normally. Hope that helps.

 

[codex57]

codex, there is a specific timing to the "F8" techinque. You have to push it when the computer is first starting up and says "Starting Windows XP..." in white text on a black screen (command prompt) at the bottom left corner...right after that, the Windows XP logo takes over and starts loading up. The thing is, computers are so damn fast now that the computer only flashes the "Starting Windows XP..." text therefore making it almost a really tough game to press F8 at the right time.
Anyways, my suggestion is to power on the computer and just repeatedly tap F8 until you are brought into the menu....this way you can't mess up.

No wonder I couldn't do it. I ended up just doing the method tweet mentioned. The only problem with that is when I'm done, there's an extra step to get things back to normal. Yes, I'm that impatient.