Computer newbies forum: Re: F8 Key not responding when tapped during bootup.

And if you happen to have a USB keyboard, try swapping in a PS2 style keyboard and see if you notice a difference..

One other thought regarding the new operating system installation is the possibility there are incorrect drivers on the machine. Check to see you've got the latest chipset/motherboard drivers.. Check the motherboard site or the AMD site to see if there is an updated driver for your system. Verify all other drivers as well.

In regards to the slow startup, make sure you eliminate all unnecessary startup programs and services to allow necessary items to startup at their optimum level.. Other than that, as long as the firewall actually starts, it shouldn't be a problem..

If you'd like, it's possible to turn OFF those Nag warnings by opening the Control Panel, double click on the "Security Center" icon, then click on the blue "Change the way Windows alerts me" link, then UNCHECK all the boxes there.

Hope this helps.

Grif

that ALWAYS works as long as the computer boots.

1. Boot into Windows as normal.
2. Right click the "My Computer icon and select Properties.
3. Click the Advanced tab in the Properties window.
4. Click the Settings button in the "Startup and Recovery section of the tab.
5. Ensure that the two "Time to display .." checkboxes are checked.
6. Click the EDIT button.
7. Add one of the following two lines (bolded text) to the bottom of the boot.ini file (NOTE - If your present multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS: shows a different disk or partition edit the line you add to match that different number such as multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINDOWS

This line gets you safeboot without network support
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional Safe" /fastdetect /SAFEBOOT:MINIMAL

This line gets you safeboot with network support
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional Safe" /fastdetect /SAFEBOOT:NETWORK

8. Save the boot.ini file then apply the settings and OK out of the properties.
9. Re- open the Properties window and advanced tab and this time simply select the Safe Mode entry you just added as the default boot OS and OK your way out and re-boot. You will boot into safe mode.

After you are done in Safe Mode change the default OS back to what it originally was.

Easier still is to click run, type "msconfig" enter, then in the system configuration box that opens select boot then safe boot and highlight Network if need be. click ok and restart.

PJ

The F-lock key only exists on unusual keyboards (small notebooks etc.) which don't have enough room for an extra row of F keys. So the F keys are "embedded" on a regular key. The Flock key turns those keys into F-keys temporarily.

.bh.

Hi.rje49,

My keyboard is a Belkin brand. It's a usb. There is no F- Lock. I trtied a PS2 and it worked immediately.

Thanks for the support. You have been very kind.

Standeb.

Hello incognito60,

It worked immediately when PS2 keyboard was plugged in. I don't know how to get into the bios so I can't check it yet. I will google it and see what happens. The firewall problem was fixed after I defragged using AusLogics which I have installed on my system. I forgot I had it until reading your post.

Thank you so much for your reply. I was edifying.

standeb.

Hello incognito60 and All of you,

The F8 key worked with the ps2 keyboard. I also tried incognito's suggestion :- Have a look in your BIOS and see if USB is There and enabled.

Tap "ESC" or "Del" key when you first power on.(Some Machines F1)

Again you may need PS2 keyboard to do this.

That also worked but I had difficulty after first getting in. It however works now. USB is enabled in the bios.

Things are ok at this point and I take this opportunity to thank you all for you suggestions which were numerous and full of learning to me. I have saved the pages for printing in the event the same thing happens again.

Thanks again to all of you and God bless.

standeb.

Would like to do the reg defrag.. ever tried it on a dell with viiv firmware and vista ultimate?

Yes have used it successfully on All Vista versions and W7 versions.

Hi Wally,
Go to http://www.glaryutilities.com and download Glary Utilities.
Its free and when installed make sure you are on the 1-click maintenance of the GUI. Beside the tracks eraser click on options and choose "select tracks you want to erase". Select what you want to erase. Then click the start and let the utility do its magic.
I have Used Glarys for years and has been very successful on all Windows OS's without causing any ill effect.I find it better than CCleaner and is all I use on all my PCs. You will also find the single modules very useful as well. Yes Glarys also does a backup of all changes that can be reversed or undone if a problem occurs of which I have never had to do yet.
Glarys will not repair lost or corrupet files but will go a long way to fixing a bad system.
Try it first. If it does not fix your problem then you might have to set a new profile and shift your files and Doc's to it then delete the problem profile.

In your lengthy list of system features you neglected to tell us what kind of keyboard you are using. If it's one of those newfangled keyboards with various application-related functions mapped to your f-keys, perhaps your problem can be solved as simply as finding the key marked "F-Lock" and hitting it once, then rebooting and repeatedly hitting the f8 key.

If this is the problem, and I'd give it maybe an 80% chance, it should be solved now without hooking up a USB keyboard differently or anything else.