boot issues

[wanger]

hello, im having a bit of a problem with win98 startup. pc is a compaq deskpro, 98mb ram and a celeron 400mh processor. it was running thru a router with another pc. everything was working, i installed a virus guard program. it was updating and locked up. now when reboot, cant get past the blue microsoft win98 startup screen. i am having some difficulty getting into safe mode to get the program uninstalled. i cannot get to the option to boot in safe mode.
when i hit f8, during startup i get a keyboard error, and then option to hit f10 for setup, but i dont have a setup password. i can just enter thru this box and get options. still dont see where safe mode is.
when i hit f5 or the control key, i get the same thing.
there is an option of f1 <boot>, or f10 <setup> or f12 <network service boot>
--might somebody have any idea how to get to safe so i can unistall the program and hopefully get pc back up ? thx for ur time and much appreciated.

[Miz]

It sounds like you're holding the F8 key down during boot. That will make the computer think a key is stuck and you'll get the keyboard error.

Instead of holding down the F8 key, repeatedly press it and let it go. Eventually you will hit the window of opportunity and get to the boot menu where you can choose Safe Mode.

[wanger]

thx for the reply.. i have tried to hit f8 after i see the compaq spash screen. the only options i get when i do that is f1 to boot, f10 to setup and f12 for network service boot. do not get any option for safe mode that i can see