can't start in safe mode

[Lisa]

I am trying to fix a hijacked homepage. I can't seem to
start in safe mode (windowsXP home edition) The
directions in help & support don't seem to match my
machine. I don't have a shutdown key but even when I
restart from the turn off computer option I never get a
prompt to select operating system and simply pressing F8
has no apparent effect. Is there a way to switch to safe
mode once I am started or from a command prompt(which I
believe I can get to from the normal windows menues)?
I appreciate any help! Feeling more than a little
frustrated.
Lisa

 

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

Click Start, Run and enter Notepad C:\BOOT.INI This will open the Boot.ini file in Notepad.

In the [operating systems] section, look for a line similar to:

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows XP" /fastdetect

Copy and paste the line into the same Notepad Window, and change the reference to indicate that its for Safe Mode, and add the /SAFEBOOT parameter. Example:

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows XP - Safe Mode" /fastdetect /SAFEBOOT

Do NOT change anything else on the line, just the description and add /SAFEBOOT

The [operating systems] section will look similar to this:

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows XP" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows XP - Safe Mode" /fastdetect /SAFEBOOT

Save the file. Now, when you reboot, you'll be offered the choice between the two.

Note: BOOT.INI is normally a hidden, and possibly read-only file in the root directory of your boot drive (usually C.

 

[Guest]

i have the same problem.
I have tried your solution but cannot save the boot.ini file
solution?

Click Start, Run and enter Notepad C:\BOOT.INI This will open the Boot.ini file in Notepad.

In the [operating systems] section, look for a line similar to:

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows XP" /fastdetect

Copy and paste the line into the same Notepad Window, and change the reference to indicate that its for Safe Mode, and add the /SAFEBOOT parameter. Example:

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows XP - Safe Mode" /fastdetect /SAFEBOOT

Do NOT change anything else on the line, just the description and add /SAFEBOOT

The [operating systems] section will look similar to this:

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows XP" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows XP - Safe Mode" /fastdetect /SAFEBOOT

Save the file. Now, when you reboot, you'll be offered the choice between the two.

Note: BOOT.INI is normally a hidden, and possibly read-only file in the root directory of your boot drive (usually C.

--
Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows Media Center\Windows Powered Smart Display
Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
http://www.dougknox.com
--------------------------------
Per user Group Policy Restrictions for XP Home and XP Pro
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm
--------------------------------
Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.

I am trying to fix a hijacked homepage. I can't seem to
start in safe mode (windowsXP home edition) The
directions in help & support don't seem to match my
machine. I don't have a shutdown key but even when I
restart from the turn off computer option I never get a
prompt to select operating system and simply pressing F8
has no apparent effect. Is there a way to switch to safe
mode once I am started or from a command prompt(which I
believe I can get to from the normal windows menues)?
I appreciate any help! Feeling more than a little
frustrated.
Lisa

 

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

BOOT.INI is a hidden, system file and may be marked read-only as well. Go to Control Panel, System, Advanced, Startup and Recovery, Settings. In the System startup section, click the Edit button.

Note: You will probably need to be logged on as an Administrator level account to edit BOOT.INI

--
Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows Media Center\Windows Powered Smart Display
Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
http://www.dougknox.com
--------------------------------
Per user Group Policy Restrictions for XP Home and XP Pro
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm
--------------------------------
Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.

i have the same problem.
I have tried your solution but cannot save the boot.ini file
solution?

Click Start, Run and enter Notepad C:\BOOT.INI This will open the Boot.ini file in Notepad.

In the [operating systems] section, look for a line similar to:

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows XP" /fastdetect

Copy and paste the line into the same Notepad Window, and change the reference to indicate that its for Safe Mode, and add the /SAFEBOOT parameter. Example:

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows XP - Safe Mode" /fastdetect /SAFEBOOT

Do NOT change anything else on the line, just the description and add /SAFEBOOT

The [operating systems] section will look similar to this:

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows XP" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows XP - Safe Mode" /fastdetect /SAFEBOOT

Save the file. Now, when you reboot, you'll be offered the choice between the two.

Note: BOOT.INI is normally a hidden, and possibly read-only file in the root directory of your boot drive (usually C.

--
Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows Media Center\Windows Powered Smart Display
Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
http://www.dougknox.com
--------------------------------
Per user Group Policy Restrictions for XP Home and XP Pro
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm
--------------------------------
Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.

I am trying to fix a hijacked homepage. I can't seem to
start in safe mode (windowsXP home edition) The
directions in help & support don't seem to match my
machine. I don't have a shutdown key but even when I
restart from the turn off computer option I never get a
prompt to select operating system and simply pressing F8
has no apparent effect. Is there a way to switch to safe
mode once I am started or from a command prompt(which I
believe I can get to from the normal windows menues)?
I appreciate any help! Feeling more than a little
frustrated.
Lisa