Tag Archives: F8

Windows XP (Safe Mode) Cannot access USB Drive(Access Denied)

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KB ID 0000368 Dtd 31/12/10

Problem

A few weeks back I was working on a Windows XP machine that had been infected with some rogue AV spyware, I was having no luck installing my usual cleaning tools so I booted to safe mode, I have a USB thumb drive that I keep a set of up to date AV/Spyware tools on for this very purpose, but the machine did not want to let me open it.

 

Solution

1. OK, I admit this is not really a “Fix”, more a work around, but lets be honest how often are you in safe mode accessing USB drives? I’m guessing the route of the problem is the removable storage process won’t be running and is set this way in safe mode. So rather than start hacking the registry to get that service started. Simply right click the drive and choose “Explore” (annoyingly simple eh!).

 

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Windows – Force into Safe Mode or”Cannot Boot into Safe Mode”

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KB ID 0000521

Problem

With modern PC’s, the boot time is a LOT less than it used to be. There was a time when you would have a few seconds to press F8 when a Windows machine started and it would boot to “safe mode”. Now even with the reflexes of a fighter pilot, you are hard pushed to press the key before it says “Starting Windows”.

Solution

1. Boot Windows normally, and in the search/run box type msconfig, (or run from command line, whichever you prefer).

2. When msconfig opens select the boot tab > Select “Safe Boot” with the Minimal option selected > Apply OK > You will be asked to reboot.

3. The machine will now reboot into safe mode, when you have done what you need to do simply run msconfig again and Untick “Safe boot” >Apply > OK > Reboot.

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