17 Posts
0
14918
XPS 8930, cannot access BIOS
Trying to access BIOS on XPS 8930. DELL logo does not appear when starting up. First thing that appears on monitor is Windows start screen. If I start tapping F2 immediately after pushing power button, nothing happens, monitor stays blank, computer doesn't even start Windows. How do I access the BIOS?
speedstep
9 Legend
9 Legend
•
47K Posts
0
April 26th, 2019 10:00
It usually locks up when you spam F2 fast.
The trick is to play it like a piano pressing not too fast.
F2 then F12
F2 then F12
F2 then F12
F2 then F12
F2 then F12
Jbakst
3 Posts
1
December 16th, 2019 16:00
Fixed by using a display port to vga cable adapter
Apparently the onboard video only drives a vga signal at post
DELL-Jesse L
Moderator
Moderator
•
17K Posts
0
July 12th, 2019 05:00
Ajilim,
Click my name and private message me the pc service tag number.
savvy2
2 Intern
2 Intern
•
2.5K Posts
0
July 12th, 2019 05:00
what keyboard is that? USB? or from what maker,
and model,
and F2 must happen 1 to 3 seconds after power button pushed or you get , only windows.
RoHe
10 Elder
10 Elder
•
44.3K Posts
0
July 12th, 2019 10:00
Don't wait until you see anything on the monitor... Power on and IMMEDIATELY tap F2 to open BIOS setup. You have to be quick or you miss because PCs boot fast these days, especially if you have an SSD as boot drive...
RoHe
10 Elder
10 Elder
•
44.3K Posts
0
December 13th, 2019 10:00
@DBA Bob - F2 opens BIOS, not F12, which opens the boot menu.
FWIW: I use HDMI on the GTX 1660Ti in my XPS 8930 and I don't have any problems accessing BIOS...
RoHe
10 Elder
10 Elder
•
44.3K Posts
0
December 14th, 2019 11:00
@Jbakst
On the XPS 8930, don't press F2 until you see the Dell logo and the "F2" and "F12" prompts in the lower right corner of that logo screen...
RoHe
10 Elder
10 Elder
•
44.3K Posts
0
December 14th, 2019 12:00
Is the monitor already powered on before you power the PC on? Have you tried restarting the PC after you get to the desktop and start tapping (don't hold) F2?
On my 8930, it pauses for a few seconds at the logo screen with the F2/F12 prompts in the corner, which gives me the chance to press F2, but I"m using an add-in video card...
Vic384
4 Operator
4 Operator
•
3.2K Posts
0
December 14th, 2019 13:00
You could try clearing the CMOS settings in the BIOS. There is a procedure on page 96 of the service manual. I think clearing the CMOS settings cured this problem for someone on this forum.
RoHe
10 Elder
10 Elder
•
44.3K Posts
0
December 14th, 2019 15:00
There is another thread with similar issue with an XPS 8930 and Dell replaced the motherboard under warranty to solve the problem.
Suggest you contact Tech Support asap. Have the Service Tag handy when you call them...
Vic384
4 Operator
4 Operator
•
3.2K Posts
0
December 16th, 2019 17:00
What model monitor do you have? When connected via HDMI did you select HDMI as the input source on your monitor? I assume now VGA is selected as the input source on your monitor.
Vic384
4 Operator
4 Operator
•
3.2K Posts
0
July 4th, 2020 14:00
Can you tell us a little more about the configuration of your system? Does you computer have an SSD, an HDD, or both? Do you have a discrete graphics card or just onboard graphics? If you have a discrete graphics card, make sure your monitor is connected to it.
Also, you could try turning off Fast Startup. Go to All settings, Power & sleep, click on 'Additional power settings', click on 'Choose what the power buttons do', under 'Shutdown settings' uncheck 'Turn on fast startup (recommended)', then shut down your computer and try accessing the BIOS after powering on again.
Vic384
4 Operator
4 Operator
•
3.2K Posts
0
July 5th, 2020 11:00
How is your monitor connected to the computer? Does your computer have a discrete graphics card? Is the monitor connected to the discrete graphics card or the onboard graphics?
RoHe
10 Elder
10 Elder
•
44.3K Posts
0
July 5th, 2020 20:00
@jlogicbud - Do you only have the SSD or do you also have a HDD too? If you also have a HDD, I'm wondering if Windows was installed on the HDD, instead of on the SSD. Been some threads about XPS 8930 systems where that's happened.
And exactly which SSD do you have? Dell posted firmware updates for various SSD models installed in the XPS 8930 so see if there's a firmware update for your specific brand and size SSD too.
Vic384
4 Operator
4 Operator
•
3.2K Posts
0
July 6th, 2020 13:00
@jlogicbud You didn't answer the question about how your monitor is connected to your computer. Two minutes is a long time for an SSD before you see the opening screen. I am thinking your computer is trying to resolve some display issue is why it is taking so long and you are not seeing the Dell logo.