Can't enter Safe Mode

joebedford wrote:
It sounds to me that he has somehow set a BIOS password and that's why he can't get to safe mode.

Umm.. Typically if you set a password in the BIOS it only locks you out of the BIOS, not the Operating System.

Most BIOS manufacturers have pretty much dumped the old BIOS password lockout which would lock you out of the hard drive boot. It was too easily defeated by removing the BIOS backup battery or changing the BIOS CLEAR jumper on the system board. Either way the result was no more BIOS password.. and the PC would boot to the hard drive.

If I get a chance at work tomorrow I will check to see if my suspicions correct.. I suspect that when there is ANY WINDOWS PASSWORD SET that you WILL NEED THE PASSWORD TO ENTER SAFE MODE.

I have PCs at work that I can try getting to desktop or even command prompt without the password.. I suspect that it can not be done without the password.

The reason for this is due to SECURITY! Yep, thats right, if you could simply bypass the password by going into safe mode then that would be a huge security hole.

In Safe mode you can pretty much do anything you want which would mean anyone could easily get into any Windows PC.. The idea of passwording the PC is to make it HARDER for unauthorized folks to be able to use a PC they should not be using..

Safe mode is a troubleshooting mode that simply loads only the basic drivers but it should still recognize different accounts/privileges which means passwords also.

mr. ed wrote:

Do you mean I should type in the word "administrator as" the password?

No. Type administrator for the user name, and leave the password field empty.

mr. ed wrote:
"Personally I would simply put in the Windows XP CD and blast the existing installation (provided you do not have any important "data" you want to salvage) with a fresh install.. SKIPPING the password portion at the installation time.."

QUSTION: will the computer automatically boot from the XP CD? Don't you have to set the boot priority first? Remember, the computer now boots only as far as the "enter password" screen and no further.

PC will boot from CD/DVD drive PROVIDED the boot order has been set to CD/DVD drive as first in the bootup order.

Inserting a bootable disc before the OS starts should result in a message stating to press any key or enter to continue booting to CD drive. You will get a countdown timer (this may look like a series of periods likes this ...... )and if no key has been pressed the timer will time out and then start the OS on the hard drive.

If you do not get the CD/DVD boot prompt then you will need to enter the BIOS to set the CD/DVD drive as first boot. That is the only time you need to enter the BIOS and that is typically done by pressing F2 or F10, or DEL key (this depends on the brand of PC, Dells are typically F2 but HP/Compaq are typically F10 and many others use DEL key)while the POST and PC splash screen is showing (before the OS starts).

It sounds to me that he has somehow set a BIOS password and that's why he can't get to safe mode.

1492 wrote:
Just a couple of thoughts. Is your sign-in user account name Administrator? If not, then there is a possibility you didn't create a password for Administrator account itself? In which case, sign-in as Administrator leaving the password field blank. A long shot at that.

How complicated was your password that you don't remember? If you think it wasn't very long or complicated, then you should consider creating Linux based brute force password cracking disc. There are several available for free on the net.

You'll need access to another computer to create a self-booting CD or USB drive. If using a notebook, pressing F2 at start-up will generally bring up boot options for the CD or USB drive.

Do you mean I should type in the word "administrator as" the password?ive tried downloading a PW cracking program several times but some of those programs were rife with malware (thank goodness for Norton security).some other programs wouldn't install properly. I'm more inclined now to return to my RV return to my RV and locate the manual where I wrote the password. The trouble is with the physical condition I'm in right now that will be difficult.any how, ill probably take that route. I can pick up the installation CD's at the same time.sorry for any typos I can only use one hand.

Just a couple of thoughts. Is your sign-in user account name Administrator? If not, then there is a possibility you didn't create a password for Administrator account itself? In which case, sign-in as Administrator leaving the password field blank. A long shot at that.

How complicated was your password that you don't remember? If you think it wasn't very long or complicated, then you should consider creating Linux based brute force password cracking disc. There are several available for free on the net.

You'll need access to another computer to create a self-booting CD or USB drive. If using a notebook, pressing F2 at start-up will generally bring up boot options for the CD or USB drive.

Boot order is set in the BIOS. Typically pressing the F2 or Delete key when the PC starts to boot will display the BIOS settings screen. This happens prior to Windows loading. If you see a prompt for a password prior to the BIOS loading, you may have set a BIOS password. If that's the case, you will have to contact Toshiba.

"Personally I would simply put in the Windows XP CD and blast the existing installation (provided you do not have any important "data" you want to salvage) with a fresh install.. SKIPPING the password portion at the installation time.."

QUSTION: will the computer automatically boot from the XP CD? Don't you have to set the boot priority first? Remember, the computer now boots only as far as the "enter password" screen and no further.

fj12ryder wrote:
...there is a specific point when the computer is changing from the BIOS operation to the Windows Boot menu. At that point you have to hit the F8 key. If you miss that narrow margin of opportunity the computer will continue to boot.

Is the 'narrow margin' so narrow you miss it on the upstroke of your tapping strategy?

mr. ed wrote:

1492 wrote:
I'm pressed for time as I've got to get to work, so doing this off the top of my head. But, in WIN XP, hold down Windows Key+R and in RUN, type msconfig and hit the ENTER key. Click on Boot.ini tab and in options, check-mark /safemode and click the OK button. Reboot, and it should go into Safe Mode.

You may have to go back into msconfig while in Safe Mode, and un-check /safemode option to boot back to WIN XP.

Again, let me state that I can't get into Windows at all and therefore can't reach MSCONFIG. I do appreciate your suggestion, though.

I guess that's what happens when you're running out the door, and dont read the whole post. Sorry.