Safe Mode ?

Robert11 · 23 Dec 2017

Hello,
Have a 2 yr old Dell desktop with all sorts of problems.

The only thing that works on booting up is the repeating press of F12.
No orher F key works.

Any way of getting into Safe Mode via F12, or... ?

Thanks,
R.

spunk · 23 Dec 2017

Press F2 to enter Setup (Bios) Under System Information it will list all of the hardware, is your HDD listed? Go to the Security section, if you have Secure Boot or Fast Boot Enabled, using your Arrow and Enter key to Disable it. Press the ESC key to Save and Exit. Also, if you press F12 at bootup, do the Diagnostics to test your HDD. If the test fails, the HDD needs to be replaced.
To Enter Safe Mode, hold down the Shift key and restart the computer. You may have to do this 3 times in a row to get the Advanced Boot Menu and choose Safe Mode. If the HDD has failed, you will not be able to enter Safe Mode.

Boot into Safe Mode on Windows 10 Performance Maintenance Tutorials

dalchina · 24 Dec 2017

You could add Safe Mode to the boot options (after the fashion of dual boot)
Add Safe Mode to Boot Options in Windows 10 Installation Upgrade Tutorials

The earliest way to get easily to Safe Mode otherwise is from the powerbutton on the login screen (i.e. do not log in) - then SHIFT left click Restart to boot to Advanced Startup/Recovery Options.

Boot to Advanced Startup Options in Windows 10 Installation Upgrade Tutorials

Cliff S · 24 Dec 2017

If none of the options above help, or you can not boot into Windows to use Advanced Startup:

You can hard crash the boot process 3 times in a row, by pressing and holding your PCs power button after starting the PC after POST but before it starts Windows(when the spinning circle starts).
After the 3rd time it will automatically try to boot repair, and want go into advanced startup.

zbook · 24 Dec 2017

Consider running the full menu of dell diagnostics:

Resolve Hardware Issues With Built-in and Online Diagnostics (ePSA or PSA Error Codes) | Dell US

Caledon Ken · 24 Dec 2017

Hi Robert.

Since this is a desktop and it looks like you maybe in the market to get a new device...

Unplug the desktop from the wall. Open the case. You will see a coin size battery on the motherboard. If you are careful you should be able to remove this. It has a plus and minus side so note how itis installed. Wait a minute and re-install.

When you boot the F2 should take you into the bios. It might force you into BIOS to set date and time.

Not sure if you ever got your data off. The forum can help you get your data or you can just clean install. (This may result in black screen again but you have posts on how to resolve or when can help.)