Hi, Wolfey is quite correct, there is somewhere within your bios where you can select the usb to "kick in" in DOS. Try to find that setting and you will then be able to use the keyboard to select the safe-mode.

Can you tell us the full name and model number of your PC.

Hi G sorry I have not got back to you.
Ok you really need to obtain a PS2 keyboard and this is why.
No drivers of any kind have been loaded, well except the basics, when you first start installing.
This is why you can use the usb k/b later to access safe mode as by then all the usb drivers have been loaded, a person using a usb mouse will have the same difficulty so it pays to have an old ps2 mouse & k/board to hand when doing any new install.

Fixed it in the end (or rather you did). Hadnt realised you had replied, so sorry not got back sooner.
I found an old PS2 keyboard. Connected that, and it worked.
Went into DOS, and started SCANDSK, which found and fixed the hard drive problem.
All fine now.