BIOS Set-up Pages Not Opening

Question

Recently I lost my hd and had it replaced. My techie could not find the chipset or video card drivers, but I found them and reloaded them. Works ok. However, I can not access the set-up pages of the BIOS using the keys. I did some digging on the technical pages and tried Dell's recommended method of during the BIOS loading screen (Dell logo). No go. While pressing the loading bar will freeze about 1/8th of the way loaded, but as soon as I stop tapping the key the BIOS loads and whips on to Windows98. Same thing with the delete key. I've tried just about everything including flashing the BIOS (A09 and A15), but the darn thing won't boot from the floppy. Probably because the set up has the 'boot from HD' enabled, but I can't change that 'cause I can't get into the set up. ACK!!!

Any suggestions?

B.

booverly · Answer

I should have mentioned that this problem is occuring on a Latitude CP 233XT. B.

leduke30 · Answer

Remove the harddrive, and using a W98 Boot Disk, try a floppy only boot. If the Harddrive is not installed, it will go to the next item in the boot order. If you can access BIOS, reset your boot order. There is another method to get into BIOS, use Fn+F3 to access the battery screen and then Alt+P to move around from screen to screen. Message Edited by leduke30 on 09-07-2004 04:43 PM

booverly · Answer

I did some more digging on the forum pages and found that crtl-alt-delete finally worked on an external keyboard. I changed the boot sequence and flashed the BIOS. However, I still can not access the set up using the proper keys. I can not access the battery page either.

I did discover that the techie who replaced the HD installed a battery checker icon on the start bar at the bottom of the screen. Could this thing be interfering?

Will the set up pages ever be accessed properly again?

B.

leduke30 · Answer

Will Fn+F1 or Fn+F3 work when up under Windows 98? They should get you into BIOS Setup from there, as well as from the opening Splash Screen, when your OS is W98/98SE. I have no ideas on the Icon you refer to. Message Edited by leduke30 on 09-07-2004 05:32 PM

booverly · Answer

No matter how much I try with or without an external keyboard I can not enter the set up using the keys. The keys are working as I've checked them out with my AutoCad program. The function key is working as some of the function commands will work (like

The battery icon seems to be a power meter thingy which was loaded by the techie who BTW loaded Win98SE instead of Win98 like I asked so now I can't use my disk for my printer drivers. Drive me crazy or what?

Anyway, things are loading nicely and seem to be working so currently my only problem is with the set up.

B.

leduke30 · Answer

The W98 drivers for your printer should be OK with W98SE. If you have that ICON over in the right taskbar, I doubt that it is the cause, as I have one in both my PC and Laptop. The trouble is, I am at a loss as to the cause of your not being able to access the BIOS. Try something else if you have 2 RAM modules installed; remove one and you should get a prompt on the first boot afterwards that 'the amount of memory has changed, Press F1 to Continue, press F2 to enter Setup'. Press F2 and see if you can get in that way. Message Edited by leduke30 on 09-07-2004 11:13 PM

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BIOS Set-up Pages Not Opening

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