windows 98se safe mode

whats the trick to enter the safe mode for win98se. I have trouble and I've talked to others that are unable to enter the safe mode too. It seems like a timg thing,as I've got in on occasions but it is frustrating trying to get in consistently.

 

When your computer is booting up you normally get two screens right at the start. Hold the Control key down just after the second screen appears. You should then get a menu up that gives you about 4 or 5 choices. Use the arrow keys to move down the list to the "start in safe mode" selection then press "enter ". Should boot to safe mode from there.

Edit: You can hold the Control key down during the first screen if your computer boots too fast to catch the second one.

 

Or, when your computer starts booting, just tap continuously on the ctrl key until it stops at the menu. Works for me every time. If ctrl doesn't do it, try F8.

 

Altenatives to entering safemode other than using the cntl or F8 key:NOTE*Timing can be tricky on this one. Sometimes it can take a few times to catch this just right. If pressing and holding control key [either left or right] or tapping the F8 key during bootup doesn't do it, try:

----OPTION CHOICE #1--------
>From with in win98 try the shiutdown option of "restart in dosmode "
from the dos prompt:
>type cd\ and hit enter to clear the dosprompt
>type WIN /D:M and hit enter
^this is the safemode switch for win.com
NOTE: The added perk or advantage of this method is you can retain or gain cdrom support even while in safemode (which is ordinarily disabled as per default or design):
***Safe mode with cdrom support:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=194846
***Below is the sublink found with the above..
How to Use Real-Mode CD-ROM Drivers from Windows 98 Startup Disk: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=190303

----OPTION CHOICE #2--------
>From windows 98 and on the startbutton run line>type msconfig
>click on the [generel tab]
>select the advance button
>put a tick in the option: "enable startup menu "
>Reboot and you should find yourself at the startup menu that will allow a safemode option.
NOTE*Remember to run msconfig to reenable "Normal" bootup when done.

----OPTION CHOICE #3--------
Use tweakui:
Check out the "Boot" tab. Options can be found here to control several bootup choices.

----OPTION CHOICE #4--------
You could have always used the Emergency startup disk that you should have made when installing windows and can still and should make if you haven't. This has an option for safemode bootup.

----OPTION CHOICE #4, MORE A TRICK REALLY--------
This may help when the timing of the tapping the cntrl key or F* is hard to catch. Some have found that putting a nonsystem floppy in the a drive will stop the loading process at the correct needed moment for the tapping to commence, When alert flag comes up remove floppy and start your tapping.

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There are a few other ways but one of the above should make this less of a nuisance.