R61 - Login hangin, Access Connections damaged?

[frater]

So with a little few seconds scanning i believe i find confirmation here that all this Thinkvantage software on my wife's ThinkPad is crap.

yesterday her computer started locking up on login. When you boot up and get to the Windows login, enter the password and then i get a small window that is titled "Access Connection" and the message says 'Connecting. Please wait...'

And it hangs there forever.

Yesteday her AVG found what was labelled a Trojan downloader in the Access Connections folder. AVG forums there is some discussion that it was a false positive. Well she "cleaned" it assuming it was a virus so now no access connections I guess and I assume this is the root of the problem.

So, I thought I would try to boot it in SafeMode and try to fix using a previous System restore point. But with all this ThinkVanatage software on it i have been unable to find out how to do so. Pressing F8 while booting doesn't seem to do anything with this Thinkpad

1) So, since F8 is not working, How do you boot to SafeMode on a Thinkpad?
2) Do you have any tips for getting past this problem? i was thinking of using a System Restore in XP
3) How do I remove all this ThinkVantage software and is it safe to do so?

i don't like being my wife's tech support guy She isn't very nice when her machine doesn't work and I am just a dabbler in the arcane arts of IT.

*edited* add new info I leaned from wife

[frater]

Ok - I got into safeMode. I had to change my boot setting in BIOS from Quick to Diagnostic. I guess it got past the POST way to fast to recognize the F8 key.

Got past the login and access Connection screen - was slow but did eventually boot.

Now to try a System Restore point in XP

[LeeRyman]

G'Day frater,

I've got an old R52 (still servicing me strong) and the System Update seems to have recently updated Access Connections. I too am now experiencing the "Access Connections: Connecting. Please Wait..." dialog just after login. At this point the system seems to hang. It will not respond to any keystrokes, Ctrl+Alt+Del, Fn hotkeys, even the power button. I've tried leaving mine for 10-15 minutes and nothing happens.

I was wondering if you were able to find a solution?

I have since booted into Safe Mode without Networking and uninstalled Access Connections. When I get some time I'll try reinstalling it and see how we go.

Regards,

Lee