asked on 9/13/2010

Can't interrupt bootup to get to bios...tried all key combos I know.

Dell PC (WXPsp3) Need to interrupt bootup and get into the bios.
Cannot do it no matter what I try.
I've tried: f2, f12, del, but no dice (bios splash sez the del key).
This all happened after I'd done a bootcfg / rebuild (successfully,
according to the command output).
Any ideas how to force it to just STOP and let me in there ??

Components

Last Comment

ccbon

9/14/2010

latchways

9/13/2010

Hi,

First things first; i guess the delete key is working when in windows?! is it a USB keyboard? If so it may not be available at that point in POST - Try a PS2 one?

Hope this helps,

Cheers,

Alex.

ewkelly

9/13/2010

Try this site.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

ccbon

9/13/2010

ASKER

Latchways, I'm using a Dell USB HID keyboard. If a PS2 keyboard is one that connects via the older-style round plug, I don't have any of those slots on my tower. This bios couldn't be that old, though. It was purchased only about two or three years ago.
And yes, the delete key works normally under all other circumstances.
Thanks !

EWKELLY, that link is very informative. I'll try some of those.

latchways

9/13/2010

The only other suggestions i can come up with are try hold DEL prior to power on or restting the bios via the jumper on the mainboard.

anass_f

9/13/2010

Some times it is necessary to completly power off the computer then power it on and try the keys mentionned in the link provided by "Ewekelly" instead of only restarting.

William Fulks

9/13/2010

Try unplugging your hard drive so it'll detect a hardware change and then it should give you the option to go into BIOS. That will also keep Windows from getting in the way,

nobus

9/14/2010

remove AC and the bios battery for a minute to reset the bios. then test

ewkelly

9/14/2010

Any luck?

ccbon

9/14/2010

ASKER

I'm in the process of trying some of these right now.

ccbon

9/14/2010

ASKER

I tried removed and reinserted the mb battery. But now when I restart I'm getting just about nothing. I'm not getting any USB-device function (mouse and keyboard), and I had to turn the monitor on manually. When I did, there was just a "no signal" msg displayed. Nothing else.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

ewkelly

9/14/2010

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ccbon

9/14/2010

ASKER

Thanks.