cant reboot safe mode

hey there, i recently forgot my password on my computer, and did a forum search and see that you guys do not give that info out anymore. thats cool.
but when i try and restart into safe mode, by holding down f8 it does nothing. the only way i can get to that menu is by putting the xp disc in. then it brings up the menu.... but my arrows wont work. so it automatically starts xp normally after the 30 seconds... any suggestions?

 

Intead of holding the F8 key, try pressing it repeatedly before the windows loading screen comes up. If this is a desktop computer, try a different keyboard as your keyboard controller might not be compatable with the keyboard.

You will be required to enter a password to get into safe mode as well.

If all else fails, connect the hardrive to another computer as a slave to recover your files, then reinstall windows (this will have to be done on the computer you are working on.)

 

thank you. the admin didnt have a password so i got into safe mode just fine. and it was the keyboard that was the problem. i was using a usb keyboard, apparently on startup some keys dont work. so a ps2 keyboard worked fine. thank god that admin isnt passworded either! maybe something i should look into though. thanks chauncey,
~n8