[macten]

I've got a Gateway laptop with xp pro. I can't get into safe mode. F8 will not get me into safe mode. On the screen it says 'stuck key'. Other wise it runs great....

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The f8 key doesn't feel stuck. It feels like all the others. I'm wondering if I can hook up a usb keyboard to solve this problem.

[macten]

The f8 key doesn't feel stuck. It feels like all the others. I'm wondering if I can hook up a usb keyboard to solve this problem.

[admin]

Try holding down the Ctrl key at startup.

[bilko]

Sometimes F5 works instead of F8

[cremedies]

F8 will work. You just have to be patient and tap the F8 key continuously about once every half second. Eventually, you will catch it at the correct time.

[macten]

Thanks for the replies...F5 worked.

[MK Chris]

Sorry to bring this back up, but I have tried repeatedly pressing F8 and F5 as well as holding down CTRL at startup numerous times, with no luck - is there any alternative way of doing it? I can't get into msconfig cos as soon as I log on to my computer, it logs me straight off again...

Many thanks for any help people can provide...

[admin]

See this link: -> http://service1.syma...src=sec_doc_nam

[RockRunner85]

Sorry to bring this back up, but I have tried repeatedly pressing F8 and F5 as well as holding down CTRL at startup numerous times, with no luck - is there any alternative way of doing it?  I can't get into msconfig cos as soon as I log on to my computer, it logs me straight off again...

Many thanks for any help people can provide...   

I know that most people will not like this idea, however you can use it as a last resort since none of the other options are working. When the computer shows the starting Windows XP screen, pull the power plug. Since you have a laptop make sure the battery is out when you do this. Turn it back on. It should now show you the selection screen and inform you that the last startup attempt failed.

[MK Chris]

See this link: -> http://service1.syma...src=sec_doc_nam

Thank you for this - but I have read this page and it doesn't help - it simply will not boot - I have since tried all the F8 keys on the keyboard with no success.

I know that most people will not like this idea, however you can use it as a last resort since none of the other options are working. When the computer shows the starting Windows XP screen, pull the power plug. Since you have a laptop make sure the battery is out when you do this. Turn it back on. It should now show you the selection screen and inform you that the last startup attempt failed.

That's not a bad idea as a very last resort - didn't think of that one, thank you.

[Darkness]

If you can move around in regular mode at all, try this
start -> run -> msconfig
click on boot.ini
Under boot options, put a check next to /safeboot
If you do this however you will *always* boot into safe mode so make sure you go back into the system configuration and take that check out

[Darkness]

Helps to actually read those previous posts, please ignore my last one
If it's not booting at all, then you'll have to create a boot disk or if you have your xp cd, you can try booting with that. That might require a little BIOS editting. Are you getting any errors? Need more details to go further.