how can i get in safe mode without a keyboard?

[petemurphy]

trying to sort friends dell pc thats buggered

the keyboard ( usb only ) wont work until windows starts so i cannot chose to go into safe mode

when it gets in windows ( vista ) it lasts 30 secs before bsod comes up

tried to type msconfig in run but although that can be typed in nothing comes up before bsod

can get in task manager for a few seconds if that helps

any ideas?

[petemurphy]

patchst said:

You need to enable Legacy USB support in the bios and the keyboard will work at bootup.

how do i get to it though if the keyboard is not working!

[petemurphy]

itsnotarace said:

Open msconfig
Go to boot.ini tab
Tick the safeboot box
Reboot

Alternatively just hold the power button down whilst the Windows is loading screen comes on, the machine will shut down. When you restart it should give you the safe mode options

not enough time to get into msconfig before bsod

cant select safe mode as keyboard doesnt work at that point!

[petemurphy]

Mazdarese said:

Does it have a PS2 port? Can you get a PS2 keyboard? Or a USB/PS2 adapter?

doesnt have a port - i have a ps2 keyboard but no adapter

yes i used to have all the kit but thought i was out of the repairing business! dam me thinking it will take 5 mins!

if i get his repair cd will that let me boot to safe mode?

[petemurphy]

tim2100 said:

Restart the machine, after the windows splash screen appears, hold the power down.

Then restart and it will come up with the screen for incomplete boot, and then go into safe mode.

nope comes up that windows did not start normally with the options for safe mode but the default is start windows normally and i cant change this as the keyboard will not work at this stage!! aarrgghh!

[petemurphy]

tenohfive said:

I went through this recently...legacy USB is enabled but I still can't use my USB keyboard.

Go to argos/asda/tesco and pick up a £3 PS/2 keyboard.

theres no ps/2 socket! heap of cack machine!

[petemurphy]

Funk said:

Unplug the machine. Remove the CMOS battery and leave it for a few mins. Reinsert CMOS battery, turn on and your keyboard should work again.

hmm will this delete anything?

[petemurphy]

Funk said:

Nope, just resets the BIOS data to the default settings. Which they should probably be on anyway. All the data on your hard drive isn't touched.

In fact, thinking about it, if it's an old machine, it could be a failing CMOS battery that's causing your woes. It's about the size of a 10 pence piece, they normally die after 4-5 years. When mine went, the machine wouldn't boot properly and I went through everything I could think of. Replaced the CMOS battery and everything worked fine again.

will try it soon as the footies finished!