I don't know, all of my Windows were installed from scratch and not from OEMs. The only way for me to access SAFE MODE was F8. It was always F8. I've never heard of anyone using F11 to do so. By tapping F11, it bumps me to BIOS (for HP based machines) and for regular machines, it completely ignores you.

xboxrulz

my windows was also installed from scratch.. and yes.. most HP machines before starting the OS have the F11 keys for the BIOS.. Most common key is delete but an F8 is also reserve for bootstrap code..

All i can deduct from this is that.. maybe there are more stuff involved in the F11 and F8 keys.. and windows is releasing zone specific OS.. when i tried that F11 yesterday on a laptop that came from a refurbise shop in california.. the key wont work.. [F11].. i tried some testing thinking the key was busted and turned out that it is OK..

I just cant get it.. why do some version of Windows have the F11 keys and some dont?



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@xboxrulz

you can go to the bios by pressing the F11 for HP while the BIOS is booting.. you need to wait for the OS to boot.. not the BIOS.. can you please try again to confirm my theory on customized regional versions of Windows OS.. the last thing I know was that the difference is in the language support and keyboard support.. I was never aware that there was an Issue about the F11 key.

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@all

If your windows is not part of a domain or active directory.. Having an admin password is not that safe and wont spell a difference if you have one or not.. Windows is so buggy that it will just create a newer admin when you use a new user name that is non existent.. Best thing to do is to disable the login screen since it will just create new users..

If in case you are concern on your data.. Use NTFS partition format and lock the access on your folder to your current account.. this can be achieved by rigth click on the folder then selecting something like a access or privelage.. i was not sure about the name.. i store anyway all of my data in Samba server i setup.. It is linux..

This post has been edited by vhortex: Aug 10 2006, 01:19 AM

Interesting... I never thought that they would make windows different like that. Hers was a Dell. Does anyone have a Dell? Either way i think it's odd so many people are having problems with it and then my friend trys it the first time and it works haha. And he didn't even explain it that well. I went through every step. Oh well. I got some hosting credits though! I wish someone had a Dell to see if it works.

i wish that only thing they customize is a voice over IP button that once you click will connect you to microsoft and talked with them for support.. i just blew my windows installation a few hours ago and i need to call microsoft.. i will try first to activate by net since they keep on bothering me to ask why i am using phone activation for my copy..

i dunno which one of this sentence they can understand well.. just said to them..


and i paid for the 15mins phone bill for my cellphone use with instruction to email them instead with the reason..


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Reposted.. there was a problem with the board when i tried to post from australia and submit the post in china..
-= [ proxies ]=-

vhortex, it still doesn't work.

Specs:
Windows XP Professional SP2 North American Retail Edition

xboxrulz

Well i guess my theories are correct.. I have a copy of windows.. Asia asian region edition from M$ office.. aqquired them from a bulk purchase.. Since i use restore cd much and the two cd's have license for 5 users each..

they gave me a copy [my company] an original windows xp pro.. they have spare license use for 4 users with this CD..

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I installed it.. and press the F11.. it worked..

Yesterday.. my computer unit blew up its windows copy.. I installed an OEM windows.. the F11 was there..
still have a doubt i ask for a copy from a friend to send me a copy via ftp of his windows..

There was no F11.. he is in california.. I guess he is using an edition for california..

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by the way.. F11 on my computer defaults to system on board diagnostic menu and bootstrap console.. I can select where to boot from harddrives, cd drives, thumb drives or network.. this get called until windows start running its initial bootup.. [until you can see the loading windows message]

Californian version of windows, when i installed have no message like this.. "please wait.. loading windows"..

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for the record.. my windows copies are
1) open license [5 users] windows XP pro no service pack..
2) OEM version.. [can be installed on one machine] with service pack 1 bundled 2001 and also an XP pro..

This version of OS have repair from console feature which will bring you to a linux like console but with crappy text support.. it was in 800x600 video mode with only plain text running on c++ graphics mode emulation.. darn so slow.. i still prefer if they just use plain old console [command prompt].. who need a fancy emulation of the bitmap fonts of a console when you only wants to do some repair..

The console also supports only 15 builtin commands that you can find in command.com and all was not fully supported.. like using the command dir will give you the list of files but you must see all of the ouput or nothing at all..

Saying this is easy. Finding the value to change is less obvious.
I guess, you have to change FFF to 0F0, but where ?

What i a thinking now is that this method works most of the time, but has a different F button. So instead of F11 its F8 or something. If you can find the safe mode button then it will work... i'm just guessing.

that is the logical answer i can think of.. if that is correct, then we are arguing on something that everyone is correct and no one is wrong..

Actually, you're probably right. I remember back when i had a Toshiba craptop it wouldn't use regular keys to get into bios or safe mode. it took me forever of searching online to find the special key combos you had to press to get into those modes.