How do I get to safe mode

Just what the question says. I have a Dell Vostro 420 with the Windows XP Pro downgrade and it has XP Pro installed and working. I pressed F8 and got a screen that says

Windows Boot Manager
Choose an operating system to start or press Tab to select a tool

Operating System
Windows Vista

Tools
Windows Memory Diagnostic

OK, how do I get to safe mode???????

 

You might want to check this web site:

*** CAUTION - THIS TAKES MODIFYING THE BOOT.INI FILE - ALWAYS BACK UP THE BOOT.INI FILE BEFORE MAKING ANY MODIFICATIONS - CAUTION***

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/tipstricks/ht/smsysconfig.htm

 

Thank you for your response, but I don't believe I'll use that method. I have always been told that if you are having trouble entering Safe Mode via the F8 method, you should not use the system config utility to force it to startup into safe mode.

Again, I do appreciate you taking the time to respond. Thank you. I'll call Dell tomorrow and ask then how to enter Safe Mode with their setup.

 

Ranger,

Are you running XP?

If Vista then perhaps the other board would be a better place, but if you are running XP I'm assuming your Dell originally came with Vista. If so select "Windows Vista" and then start tapping away at the F8 key again.

 

Hello wildfire, the computer was ordered with the XP Pro downgrade preinstalled. It came with both the Windows Vista Business SP1 disk and the Windows XP Pro SP3 disk. It is running Windows XP.

So I wonder if you are right?

I want to modify the explorer.exe file in XP (this is a mod I've done to my other computers), but I can not make the change permenent except in safe mode.

 

Yep, I gathered that after reading your post again...

Forgive my query but it's late here (03:20) and I missed the point.

My earlier post should get you into XP safe mode though.

Can't help you with this Ranger but hopefully you're a step forward in your journey.

 

Thank you, I'll mess with it in the morning. Its almost my bed time.

 

You may want to try this:
Click on Start
Click on Run
type msconfig and Press OK
in system configuration utility click on the BOOT tab
check the box which says safeboot (If you want to boot in safe mode)
click Apply
and reboot

Then after your done in safe mode - you can undo the changes by doing the above again.

I know you had responded with "you should not use the system config utility to force it to startup into safe mode. "
But this is another way to get to Safe Mode.
I have not heard about not using the system config utility to get into Safe Mode.

 

Your method is the CORRECT method according to Dell. I just recieved an E-Mail from them and it says exactly what you stated.

I sincerely thank all those that took the time to respond.

I can now finish personalizing my computer.

 

Ranger, I strongly advise against this.

You could be left with a big problem if your system refuses to boot into safe mode.

Instead try this method, It does involve editing boot.ini but at least you'll be left with a choice of both options (Normal or Safeboot).

Please read this post for further information. I'm not suggesting you have Malware but it is better safe than sorry.

 

Thanks, I like that. The modified (personalized) explorer.exe file has been installed. Got to Safe Mode and back.

Thanks again.

 

No problem,

I'm happy you got it sorted. FWIW My boot menu is XP, XP Safe & XP Recovery console. I set the time out to 3 seconds, long enough to catch the boot menu if needed but not too long to annoy me

 

I just reset mine to 3 seconds a couple of minutes ago. Thanks again and Merry Christmas