(F8) key

[jf504mp]

Hello, I was trying to use some info I got from the forum and it involved using the f8 key to restart my pc in the safe mode. I shut it down hald a dozen times today and as far as I can tell, the f8 key never responded.

Any suggestions?

[Broni]

You need to keep tapping it, not holding it.

[jf504mp]

I am sorry put tapping it repeatedly is what I did. I made sure it was deliberate and over several attempts at various speeds.

I have a wireless key board. Could that be the reason it doesn't work?

[Aegis]

Yes.  I've had a wireless keyboard work before the operating  system starts, but often, it does not.  Do you have a wired keyboard you can plug in and try?  I like to keep an extra around just for that reason.

[Broni]

I doubt, but it wouldn't hurt to try wired keyboard

[quaxo]

What model keyboard are we talking about here?

[jf504mp]

It is a logitech Y-RK49. I have tried switching the F-lock also to no avail. I just tried to restart in safe mode a few minutes ago and still nothing.

Any ideas??

[patio]

Are you doing this immediately upon powering up ? ?
It has to be done way before you see the Windows splash screen or it will not work...

[jf504mp]

As soon as I hit the power on button, I start hitting the f8 key.

[quaxo]

Is the keyboard working at all before Windows loads? (like... are you able to get into the BIOS?)

And is it functioning normally after you get into Windows?

[jf504mp]

I remember time time about a year or so ago. I wanted to work on something and my son told me to use the f8 to get the pc into a safe mode. I didn't work then. It was someting minor I wanted to try and fix. Since it didn't work, I assumed it was just me not doing it right. so I didn't persue it. This time a made a real effort to get the f8 to work.

[quaxo]

Do you have a wired keyboard? If so, try that.

[jf504mp]

I don't have one at the moment but I will pick one up and see how that goes.

[patio]

Everyone should have a PS2 keyboard...especially for times like this.

[quaxo]

It might just be that something about the wireless keyboard isn't ready at that time in the boot sequence. It all depends on the design on the keyboard. Perhaps the receiver isn't ready at that point or a connection hasn't  been established between the keyboard and the receiver. Have you tried anything else at boot up? Like entering the BIOS?

[NOT ADMIN :P]

Everyone should have a PS2 keyboard...especially for times like this.

yes and a post-it note stuck to it with "www.computerhope.com"

[jf504mp]

I don't know anything about doing that? I am learnig as I go.

[patio]

Everyone should have a PS2 keyboard...especially for times like this.

!0 to 15 Bucks...Trust Me it's worth every penny...even if it sits in a closet most of the time.

[Aegis]

I completely agree. 

My wife's wireless keyboard will usually let me access BIOS, but sometimes it won't...

You don't have to spend a lot, as Patio suggests -- in fact, I've had advanced keyboards that plug into the PS/2 port or the USB port, but they Windows - driven:  they rely on the operating system itself to drive the keyboard, so you're still stuck if you're trying to access the computer at a point where the operating system loads.

A basic keyboard in the price range should work just fine.

[libertyliberty_79]

Help me.  I seem to be having a similar problem.  I have been forced to attempt to reinstall my windows xp.    Why? Well, something went wrong because after the windows xp logo-loading screen would appear, the screen would go blank. 

OK, so now I am trying to reinstall my xp and after reading the agreement it tells me to hit f8 to accept.  When I do that, nothing happens.  Other keys do seem to work, when I hit escape it reboots.  What can be wrong?  I am trying to reinstall my xp and after reading the agreement it tells me to hit f8 to accept.  When I do that, nothing happens.  Other keys do seem to work, when I hit escape it reboots.  What can be wrong?

ETJB