Member Avatar for okuma1

When I try to start my computer in Safe mode using the F8 key,
I don't get the "Windows Advanced Options Menu". Instead I
get a window that says "Please Select Boot Device" with the following
three options: Removable Device, Hard Drive, and ATAPI CD-ROM
I using WinXP SP2.

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by crunchie

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If the motherboard boot selector (the "Please Select Boot Device" list) appears instead of the Windows Advanced Options, the machine is still in the BIOS/POST stage — the BIOS is offering a device to boot from, while the Windows F8 menu appears later when the Windows boot loader runs. and already exchanged the key-timing tip; a few additional, practical causes and fixes that help in real-world troubleshooting:

  • Older boards or some laptops do not initialize USB keyboards early in POST. If F8 seems ignored, try a PS/2 keyboard or enable "USB Legacy/USB Keyboard Support" in the BIOS. Some laptops require holding an Fn key or using a different function-key mode.
  • Some BIOS have a "quick/quiet boot" that hides POST messages and shortens the window to interrupt boot; disabling that or enabling full POST messages gives you more time. If the motherboard has a separate boot-menu key (often F12 or Esc), avoid pressing it accidentally — that will show the device list you saw.

If someone used the msconfig method and the system now reboots or will not start normally (as reported by ), restore the boot configuration from the Windows XP Recovery Console. With the Windows XP CD:

  1. Boot from the CD and press R for Recovery Console.
  2. log into the installation (usually "1") as Administrator (enter password or press Enter).
  3. Run the rebuild command to recreate a clean boot.ini:
    bootcfg /rebuild
  4. If you prefer manual edit: remove attributes, open the file and delete any "/safeboot" option:
    attrib -r -s -h c:\boot.ini
edit c:\boot.ini
  5. type exit to reboot.

Always keep the XP CD (or a recovery disc) handy before making boot changes. Credit to for the msconfig approach; use it carefully and undo it when the troubleshooting is finished.

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Member Avatar for dlh6213

If you can boot your computer normally, there is another way to boot into Safe Mode with Windows XP:
Boot the computer normally.
Close all open programs.
Click Start, and then click Run; the Run dialog box will appear.
Type msconfig in the box and then click OK.
The System Configuration Utility should appear.
Click on the BOOT.INI tab.
Check the "/SAFEBOOT" option, and click OK.
You will then see the prompt to restart the computer, click Restart.
The computer will then restart in Safe Mode.
When another box opens asking if you want to run in Safe Mode; click Yes.

commented: thanks dlh6213, nice help +0
Member Avatar for Catweazle

Are you sure you are pressing the key at the correct time? It needs to be at the END of the POST routine, and BEFORE the Windows splash screen appears.

Member Avatar for okuma1

Are you sure you are pressing the key at the correct time? It needs to be at the END of the POST routine, and BEFORE the Windows splash screen appears.

You are correct. I was pressing the F8 key too soon. After I had figured out the timing of the F8 key, someone else pointed out that I can use the Boot device screen to get to safe mode, by selecting Hard Drive and pressing the F8 Key.
Thanks for your prompt reply.

Member Avatar for okuma1

If you can boot your computer normally, there is another way to boot into Safe Mode with Windows XP:
Boot the computer normally.
Close all open programs.
Click Start, and then click Run; the Run dialog box will appear.
Type msconfig in the box and then click OK.
The System Configuration Utility should appear.
Click on the BOOT.INI tab.
Check the "/SAFEBOOT" option, and click OK.
You will then see the prompt to restart the computer, click Restart.
The computer will then restart in Safe Mode.
When another box opens asking if you want to run in Safe Mode; click Yes.

What I really wanted was not to just get into safe mode, but to open the Advanced Options Window. As it turned out I was pressing the F8 key too soon. After I had figured out the timing of the F8 key, someone else pointed out that I can use the Boot device screen to get to safe mode, by selecting Hard Drive and pressing the F8 Key.
Thanks for your prompt reply.

Member Avatar for shadydude143

I have Windows XP installed on my computer. To be able to boot in safe mode, I checked the /SAFEBOOT option in the System Configuration Utility. My problem now is, while in the process of entering safe mode, the computer restarts. I tried all the boot options listed in the menu that comes out when F8 is pressed but I can no longer successfully boot including in normal mode.

Hope you have some solutions to this.

Thank you so much!

Shady

Member Avatar for murphy717

you need to install another OS.. window XP SP3 or VISTA

Member Avatar for crunchie

I reckon that after almost 3 years, s/he has :).

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