Getting into the BIOS on Optiplex 745

Hi Frankzen,

Hard to know what to say without knowing which fields you want to change.

There may be a password protection of some fields. There is a password jumper on the motherboard you can use to delete any existing password.

Here's a link to the manual for more information: ftp://ftp.dell.com/Manuals/all-products/esuprt_desktop/esuprt_optiplex_desktop/optiplex-745_user%27s%20guide_en-us.pdf

Well I tried removing the jumper - that allowed me into the video section , but when I tried to change numlock to off it simply doesn't work. In addition the note at the bottom of the screen says press enter to expand the section. but pressing enter on this machine does nothing. I have to press the plus key on the keypad. It says press enter to modify anything in a section....but pressing enter does nothing. Seems to be it's impossible to change numlock from on to off.

The boot order section  is another part where nothing can be changed. I'd like to disable network boot, but again it's impossible. I am using a USB keyboard...could that have something to do with it??

Hi

Well I cannot get into the video section at all, and can't change the numlock to "off". It says the system password is not set but I will try the password jumper and see what happens.

By the way the link to the manual you posted doesn't work for me - it tries to save the whole page:emotion-2:

Thanks

Well, I don't think you have any choice but to use a USB keyboard. You might try a different USB port. On the back I think there are six. The two ports adjacent to the network port are where I always plug my keyboard and mouse.

Try using the USB port directly under the NIC port Item 3 in this picture.

Try using SPACE BAR once you expand an option.

I will try that..and other USB ports to see if this the problem.

Thanks

No change. When in the BIOS screen everything still acts the same. I am beginning to think there is a motherboard problem with this machine.

I would try resetting the CMOS.

Yes, it's possible the board is bad.

I am now leaning towards a bad/quirky keyboard...as the BIOS effects are also evident when the boat loader comes up..i.e. skipping lines etc. I'll try another keyboard when I get the chance.

Good to hear!