Massive virus, no antivirus working, how to get Vista to safe mode?

[ManuelsMum]

On mate's machine, has one of those horrific viruses that stop any anti-virus running, so trying to boot Vista into SAFE MODE. Hi t f8 repeatedly, but just gives me a list of boot device options, f8 again does nothing to get to Safe mode. Is there a way to do this? Have a net connected netbook and pen drive with me, pen drive is a boot option. Cheers

[paulpitchford]

You need to start pressing F8 after the bios post screen has finished. Sounds like you're pressing it too early then missing it once you've chosen a boot device.

[henrik777]

1.    From the Start Menu, select RUN
 Just click the Start →Search on Windows Vista or Windows 7.
 
2.    Type msconfig in RUN (or in Search in Vista)  and hit Enter
 
3.     Click the BOOT.INI tab.
 
4.    Check the option for /SAFEBOOT in the bottom pane.
 
        Once you click the OK button with this option selected, the computer will start in Safe Mode when you restart your computer next time.
         By default, Safe Mode will not have internet access. To have internet access in Safe Mode, select the NETWORK option against /SAFEBOOT.
 
5.    Click the Apply button.
 
6.    Click the Close button.
 
7.    Restart your computer.
 
This will take your computer to Safe Mode.
 
If you had selected the NETWORK option as described in step 3, then the computer will restart in Safe Mode with Networking giving you internet access in safe mode.
 
After your safe mode troubleshooting is over, to start your computer in normal mode, please follow steps 1 and 2. Clear the options you had selected for /SAFEBOOT and click OK. After this, restarting your computer will take you back to Normal Mode.

Sandy

[ManuelsMum]

You need to start pressing F8 after the bios post screen has finished. Sounds like you're pressing it too early then missing it once you've chosen a boot device.

I owe you a beer, please advise

[paulpitchford]

You need to start pressing F8 after the bios post screen has finished. Sounds like you're pressing it too early then missing it once you've chosen a boot device.

I owe you a beer, please advise

No worries. Glad you got around it!

[ManuelsMum]

1.    From the Start Menu, select RUN
 Just click the Start →Search on Windows Vista or Windows 7.
 
2.    Type msconfig in RUN (or in Search in Vista)  and hit Enter
 
3.     Click the BOOT.INI tab.
 
4.    Check the option for /SAFEBOOT in the bottom pane.
 
        Once you click the OK button with this option selected, the computer will start in Safe Mode when you restart your computer next time.
         By default, Safe Mode will not have internet access. To have internet access in Safe Mode, select the NETWORK option against /SAFEBOOT.
 
5.    Click the Apply button.
 
6.    Click the Close button.
 
7.    Restart your computer.
 
This will take your computer to Safe Mode.
 
If you had selected the NETWORK option as described in step 3, then the computer will restart in Safe Mode with Networking giving you internet access in safe mode.
 
After your safe mode troubleshooting is over, to start your computer in normal mode, please follow steps 1 and 2. Clear the options you had selected for /SAFEBOOT and click OK. After this, restarting your computer will take you back to Normal Mode.

Sandy

Thanks so much for this, Sandy, will remember for next time. Sadly it was an ubervirus that disables sysrestore, run.., everything. Got there through safemode.
I wonder if they actually even give you an antivirus when you pay up lol