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sbd

2 Posts

8017

December 2nd, 2003 03:00

Unable to modify BIOS setup

I purchased a second-hand Optiplex GX1 with PII-400.  I've been unable to change anything in the BIOS setup. 

It's loaded with Win98, but when booting up it locks up while trying to install some driver.  I don't know how to bypass this part.  There are no peripheral cards...everything is on-board (video,sound,HD-controller...).  Ultimately, I want to load Win2000 Pro.

I removed the battery to reset the BIOS...that worked.  I can go into BIOS [F2] and see the time and date settings along with other info.  However, I still can't even move the cursor with the arrow keys.  In fact no key on the keyboard will affect anything in anyway.   Alt-B doesn't work either.  Nothing works.

Is this the BIOS password doing it's thing?  If it is, I thought removing the battery will loose the password.

There is a "PSWD" jumper on the motherboard, but I removed it(open).  There is a "BIOS" jumper also and that's open.

I'd appreciate any help I can get.

DELL-Cody

2.2K Posts

December 2nd, 2003 15:00

With the PSWD jumper removed, the BIOS password features are completely disabled. Also, the fact that the BIOS jumper is open is normal, and should not be changed.

What type of keyboard do you have connected to the back of the system? If you have a USB keyboard, you should use a PS/2 keyboard for troubleshooting purposes.

If you are already using a PS/2 keyboard, ensure that the keyboard is fully seated in that connector. Also, try swapping the PS/2 connections between the keyboard and the mouse.

sbd

2 Posts

December 3rd, 2003 16:00

Thanks for the reply. The keyboard is PS/2. After trying a few times I was able to get into the BIOS and modify the settings. However, I'm not sure of what trick I used get there, but I am now unable to change anything again after that one time.

Swapping the keyboard/mouse connector gives keyboard error.

Also, I noticed that when booting, the screen goes blank after the BIOS screen. I only see a cursor. It turns out that it's waiting for F1 to run Windows. I can also go into Safe Mode when the screen goes blank and press F5 quickly right after F1. If I press any other key(s) the computer will lock up.

Win98 still hangs. The mouse hangs. Everything is frozen. All I can do it turn the power off. Safe mode works fine.

I'm thinking of just loading Win2000 from Safe Mode. Should I expect disasterous results? I don't have the original Dell setup/driver/companion disk that came with the computer. I have one that came with Win2000 Upgrade for Dell, though. Will that work?

Or Does it sound like I should just return the PC?

Thanks.

DELL-Cody

2.2K Posts

December 3rd, 2003 17:00

At this point, the problem might be caused by the motherboard, hard drive (and/or its cables), the processor, or the system memory. Reseat the hard drive cables, memory and processor, and try starting Windows again.

Within Safe Mode, you will not have access to the CDROM drive. Windows 2000 setup will need to be started directly from the CD.

If an operating system reinstallation does not resolve the problem, the motherboard may indeed be at fault.

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