how do i start

[johnq86]

in safe mode on windows xp

[Guillaume]

Reboot, then press F2.

edit: d'oh. F8

[Caroline]

i thought it was press f8

[{I}{K}{E}]

Click Start and then click Shut Down.

In the drop-down list of the Shut Down Windows dialog box, click Restart, and then click OK.

As your computer restarts but before Windows launches, press F8.
On a computer that is configured for booting to multiple operating systems, you can press F8 when the boot menu appears.

Use the arrow keys to highlight the appropriate safe mode option, and then press ENTER.

[lee551]

another way to do it for XP:

start-run- type "msconfig"-go to the "boot.ini" tab-select "/safeboot"-hit ok & it'll restart. to not boot to safe mode do the same and uncheck "/safeboot"