Safe mode hangs in 2k

[videobruce]

Running 2k w/sp4 I can't boot into safe mode.
It hangs at the splash screen with the black screen and the 4 safe mode's in the corners.

Regular boots are fine! Sounds backwards to me. Suppose to hang on a normal boot!

Ideas?

[muno]

Are you certain it hangs?
Booting into safe mode with w2k takes a lot of time.

[videobruce]

I know safe mode is always slower. I rarely need to go into safe mode with 2k (not so w/ 98SE or ME), I tried it again, walked away, came back and it did boot.

Something is still 'hanging' it. I thought that was reserved for a normal boot where a hardware problem can cause this.