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    ThinkPad T61P Safe Mode

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by Hackez, Dec 17, 2007.

  1. Hackez

    Hackez Notebook Evangelist

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    For the ThinkPad T61P what key is for safe mode?

    I'm exhausted and the usual combinations aren't working...>.<
     
    Hackez, Dec 17, 2007
    #1
  2. optomos

    optomos Notebook Evangelist

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    F8

    LOL, I have to type more so I can post that.
     
    optomos, Dec 17, 2007
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  3. Arki

    Arki Super Moderator

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    Yea just keep tapping F8 as it's booting up.
     
    Arki, Dec 17, 2007
    #3
  4. Hackez

    Hackez Notebook Evangelist

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    Thats the thing, F8 isn't working...
     
    Hackez, Dec 17, 2007
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  5. Arki

    Arki Super Moderator

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    Run...msconfig...Boot.INI tab...check box for /safeboot...restart.

    When you're done with safemode, just uncheck that box and restart in normal mode.
     
    Arki, Dec 17, 2007
    #5
  6. optomos

    optomos Notebook Evangelist

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    Start tapping F8 right after the IBM/ThinkPad screen.
     
    optomos, Dec 17, 2007
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  7. Hackez

    Hackez Notebook Evangelist

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    I'm aware of that workaround, but I would like to figure out why F8 won't work. What happens if I need to start in safe mode and can't access reg mode for the switch?
     
    Hackez, Dec 17, 2007
    #7
  8. Arki

    Arki Super Moderator

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    Has it worked before?
     
    Arki, Dec 17, 2007
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  9. optomos

    optomos Notebook Evangelist

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    I just looked at your sign and it says XP Pro Custom. Custom in which way?
     
    optomos, Dec 17, 2007
    #9
  10. Hackez

    Hackez Notebook Evangelist

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    This is the brand new replacement laptop I just recieved from Lenovo... :(

    Its stripped of numerous components, none which would cause this issue though...
     
    Hackez, Dec 17, 2007
    #10
  11. michelkenny

    michelkenny Notebook Geek

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    F8 for safe mode is a Windows thing, not a Lenovo thing. It is F8 on every single computer, no exceptions. You're probably pressing it too late.
     
    michelkenny, Dec 17, 2007
    #11
  12. sprucebeach

    sprucebeach Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm having the same problem on my Thinkpad X60. Tapping F8, no matter how quickly after the Lenovo logo appears, fails to prevent normal bootup. Pressing and holding F8 generates the message
    ERROR
    0210: Stuck Key 42
    Press <F1> to Setup

    In the past I could enter the safe mode, presumably using F8. But I can't anymore. Any ideas would be welcome.
     
    sprucebeach, Feb 14, 2008
    #12
  13. bsodder

    bsodder Notebook Evangelist

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    My desktop will not detect F8 because I am using a programmable keyboard with its own bios. You can make safemode a boot option in boot.ini as follows:

    Example with Safe Mode as an option and "timeout" =10 seconds

    [boot loader]
    timeout=10
    default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
    [operating systems]
    multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect
    multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Safe Mode" /safeboot:minimal /sos /bootlog
     
    bsodder, Feb 14, 2008
    #13
  14. sprucebeach

    sprucebeach Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks, that's a great suggestion. I used msconfig as described on the previous page to temporarily get a safe-mode boot, but setting it as a boot option is a good idea for the future.

    I'm still baffled though about why I can no longer do it with F8.
     
    sprucebeach, Feb 14, 2008
    #14
  15. duparc

    duparc Newbie

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    The problem seems to be much more prosaic :
    The same message happened with a Thinpad X31 under XP sp2 when i finished partitioning a 2nd HD on IDE2, and am now unable to boot on IDE1
     
    duparc, Jun 23, 2008
    #15
  16. gru

    gru Newbie

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    Yes it is more prosaic - In order to get into SAFER mode on Lenovo fiaking ThinkPad - with Windows XP downgraded from Windows Vista - with ThinkVantage- you should press F8 -
    But not on a USB keyboard but on ONBOARD KEYBOARD.
     
    gru, Dec 27, 2008
    #16
  17. theweatherman

    theweatherman Newbie

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    A tip from Lenovo support that worked for me...

    I called Lenovo support for assistance with this issue. They directed me to wait "one second" after the ThinkPad screen appears before beginning to tap F8. It worked! When the ThinkPad logo screen appeared, I counted one one thousand, then began tapping F8 about two times per second and was taken to the safe mode option menu.

    I am using a Lenovo ThinkPad T400 purchased around November, 2009.

    I ran into the issue while trying to troubleshoot an issue that seems related to Windows Update #850859. (Note: do not install that update if you can avoid it).
     
    theweatherman, Mar 19, 2009
    #17