Safe Mode using wireless keyboard

Duplo · 26-September-07, 10:43 AM

Hello all,

Does anyone know how I can start a PC (with XP professional) in Safe Mode without tapping the F8 key during boot up? I use a USB wireless keyboard and mouse. I can't get into safe mode at the moment because (I assume) the PC doesn't recognise me pressing the F8 key until the USB driver kicks in (after Windows has started.. which is too late).

I don't have a normal 'wired' keyboard handy.

Any ideas?
Thanks,

Garry

Joose · 26-September-07, 10:57 AM

If you manage to get to the choices menu, (by disconncting the power to your computer while it's at the desktop) you'll still need a keyboard to select 'safe mode', 'safe mode with networking' etc. If you happened to get yourself to safe mode, your keyboard would STILL be useless, because safe mode doesn't load ANY drivers. That makes your wireless keyboard good for choking the weeld of your car when changing a tire.

Unplugging your computer is extremely risky, however, because it could cause data corruption, so don't do it.

Go to Wal-Mart (personal favourite) and get a cheap ps/2 keyboard. You should always have one around the house. It can be very handy for the computer tweaker. Then you can hit F8, get the choices menu, and still have a functioning keyboard when you're in safe mode.

Duplo · 26-September-07, 11:10 AM

D'oh... You're right. I will get an education immediately.
Thanks.

26-September-07, 10:43 AM	#1 (permalink)
Duplo Apex Techie II Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Brighton, UK Posts: 83	Safe Mode using wireless keyboard Hello all, Does anyone know how I can start a PC (with XP professional) in Safe Mode without tapping the F8 key during boot up? I use a USB wireless keyboard and mouse. I can't get into safe mode at the moment because (I assume) the PC doesn't recognise me pressing the F8 key until the USB driver kicks in (after Windows has started.. which is too late). I don't have a normal 'wired' keyboard handy. Any ideas? Thanks, Garry __________________ My location: http://forums.pcapex.com/vbgooglemap...7446289&zoom=7

26-September-07, 10:57 AM	#2 (permalink)
Joose Joosey Join Date: May 2003 Location: Milton, Ontario Posts: 5,537	Re: Safe Mode using wireless keyboard If you manage to get to the choices menu, (by disconncting the power to your computer while it's at the desktop) you'll still need a keyboard to select 'safe mode', 'safe mode with networking' etc. If you happened to get yourself to safe mode, your keyboard would STILL be useless, because safe mode doesn't load ANY drivers. That makes your wireless keyboard good for choking the weeld of your car when changing a tire. Unplugging your computer is extremely risky, however, because it could cause data corruption, so don't do it. Go to Wal-Mart (personal favourite) and get a cheap ps/2 keyboard. You should always have one around the house. It can be very handy for the computer tweaker. Then you can hit F8, get the choices menu, and still have a functioning keyboard when you're in safe mode. __________________ Joose - joosy since 1975 Cheap, Good, Fast - You can only have two out of three.

26-September-07, 11:10 AM	#3 (permalink)
Duplo Apex Techie II Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Brighton, UK Posts: 83	Re: Safe Mode using wireless keyboard D'oh... You're right. I will get an education immediately. Thanks. __________________ My location: http://forums.pcapex.com/vbgooglemap...7446289&zoom=7

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