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The key here is to boot to DVD or USB stick and then do a System Restore to an earlier date. &nbsp;Why can't you get to the BIOS?
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When the computer attempts to boot to Safe Mode it just ends up at a black screen and it is blank the entire boot attempt.<br />
<br />
Since I changed the msconfig to &quot;boot to safe mode&quot; it is doing this by default every time. &nbsp;So every time all I see is a black screen.<br />
<br />
I've tried to press F2, F12 and Del during the boot process in an attempt to divert to bios even though I can't see anything on my screen.<br />
<br />
Ideally what would be best is if I can have the machine to not default to Safe Boot without having to get to the Windows interface to change this setting. &nbsp;Then it will boot just fine and I'll just forget about updating. &nbsp;I don't know how to that (or if it's even possible) without getting to the Windows interface.<br />
<br />
If that's not possible then what you suggested is the option I need to try, but nothing displays on the screen during the current boot process and pressing the F2/F12/Del keys are not taking me to the &nbsp;bios during the &nbsp;boot process.<br />
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I tried to boot from the repair disk in case the computer had been set somehow to boot from DVD but to no avail, same results.
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booting to the bios has nothing to do with windows at all. The bios is stored on the comos chip that is on the mother board. Depend on the model of computer or laptop you have to presss a specific key to get into the bios. for example: &nbsp;del &nbsp;or esc...... you may also press a specific key to get into the boot menu to boot off a optical disc. &nbsp;for example: f12 &nbsp;or f11 or f10 or even esc.... You may need to go to the maunufacturers website to find out what keys to push to get into the bios or what keys to go to the one time boot menu.
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I see you mention shift restart. Did you power off the system and then press and hold the shift key and power on the system, continuing to hold down the shift key?
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reset the bios by removing the bios battery &nbsp; <a href="https://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/04/sln293444/optiplex-990-ultra-small-form-factor-usff-removal-guide-for-the-coin-cell-battery-front-io-panel-control-panel-intrusion-switch-and-power-supply?lang=en" rel="ugc nofollow">https://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/04/sln293444/optiplex-990-ultra-small-form-factor-usff-removal-guide-for-the-coin-cell-battery-front-io-panel-control-panel-intrusion-switch-and-power-supply?lang=en</a>
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Try again to boot into BIOS. &nbsp;Turn the computer off. &nbsp;Turn it on and press F2 repeatedly until BIOS starts. <br />
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Then use the procedure to reset BIOS defaults, save, exit and see if the computer restarts.
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Are you using a wireless keyboard? If so, do you have a wired keyboard available? Use that and then reboot, pressing F2 2-3 times a second.<br />
If that get's you in, do what you want, or try to use the Shift/Restart to get to the &quot;windows troubleshooting menu&quot;. If you can then get to it, open the command prompt and type in start msconfig. You can reset it then.
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Windows 10 Pro/Dell Optiplex 990<br />
<br />
I screwed up by not leaving well enough alone.<br />
<br />
Windows Update would not install so I tried to boot into Safe Mode with the Shift/Restart technique.<br />
<br />
That went to a dead screen. &nbsp;The computer was on but the monitor screen was blank. &nbsp;So I restarted the computer and logged on.<br />
<br />
Then I tried msconfig/safe boot. &nbsp;Big mistake.<br />
<br />
Same thing. &nbsp;Computer is on but screen is blank. &nbsp;But since I changed the Boot in msconfig the computer is stuck booting (or better described, NOT BOOTING) &nbsp;in Safe Mode, ie going to a blank screen.<br />
<br />
So now I'm stuck. &nbsp;I can't reboot, I can't boot to Safe Mode, and I can't get to the bios to set a boot from DVD to use the Image Repair Disc.<br />
<br />
Please help!
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Windows 10 Pro/Dell Optiplex 990

I screwed up by not leaving well enough alone.

Windows Update would not install so I tried to boot into Safe Mode with the Shift/Restart technique.

That went to a dead screen.  The computer was on but the monitor screen was blank.  So I restarted the computer and logged on.

Then I tried msconfig/safe boot.  Big mistake.

Same thing.  Computer is on but screen is blank.  But since I changed the Boot in msconfig the computer is stuck booting (or better described, NOT BOOTING)  in Safe Mode, ie going to a blank screen.

So now I'm stuck.  I can't reboot, I can't boot to Safe Mode, and I can't get to the bios to set a boot from DVD to use the Image Repair Disc.

Please help!

Windows 10 won't boot regular, won't boot in Safe Mode, both leading to blank screen.

Boot issue

Windows 10 is a personal computer operating system featuring the "universal application architecture" (UAP); apps can be designed to run across multiple devices with nearly identical code, including PCs, tablets, smartphones, embedded systems, Xbox One, Surface Hub and HoloLens. Windows 10 also includes a virtual desktop system, a window and desktop management feature called Task View, the Microsoft Edge web browser, support for fingerprint and face recognition login, voice-based search (Cortana), new security features for enterprise environments, and DirectX 12 and WDDM 2.0 to improve the operating system's graphics capabilities for games.

Windows 10

This topic area includes legacy versions of Windows prior to Windows 2000: Windows 3/3.1, Windows 95 and Windows 98, plus any other Windows-related versions including Windows Mobile.