No Startup Options in XP

[CMeyst]

I am unable to start my either my WinXP Pro system or my WinXP Home system in Safe Mode (can't get to any of the start up options) because I never get the "Please select the operating system to start" prompt. I try pressing F8 throughout boot process and nothing works.

Does anyone know how to solve this? Thanks in advance.

 

[japetto]

I am unable to start my either my WinXP Pro system or my WinXP Home system in Safe Mode (can't get to any of the start up options) because I never get the "Please select the operating system to start" prompt. I try pressing F8 throughout boot process and nothing works

I'm a bit confused...How about a little more info!😉

 

[FoBoT]

linky

 

[bacillus]

if the F8 doesn't appear to work for you for whatever reason, use run>msconfig>boot ini & select safeboot & minimal.
when you restart, you will do so in safe mode!

 

[CMeyst]

FoBot --

Thanks. I realized from that link that I had been holding down F8 (as I read elsewhere). This said to tap it constantly during the boot. That did the trick.

I know about MSCONFIG and choosing a bootmode, but I wanted to be sure I could get into Safe Mode without having to first set it within Windows.

 

[tokamak]

thats weird about tapping the F8 key instead of holding it down. how does the computer know you're not just tapping it really fast instead of holding it 😉 isn't the 'safe mode key' different for some setups depending on motherboard/bios?

 

[CMeyst]

tokamak --

I don't know what the difference is, but I can tell you that I tried numerous times holding down F8 and nothing happened -- each time I tried with tapping it, it worked!