Cannot get into Bios Settings

Question

Hello everyone, i  need help!  I have a dimension 2350 and i need to reinstall windows and reformat my hard drive.  The problem is, i can't make it boot from CD!  I can't get into the setup screen because my comp's dell logo never appears.  It doesnt give me an option to go into the setup screen with F12 key!  All that happens is that when i start it up, its a blank (black) screen, and then my profile appears so I can click on it.  Sorry if this is in the wrong forum, but i really need help! Thanks.

volcano11 · Answer

Assuming that you don't have a wireless keyboard, as soon as you see the keyboard lights light up, hit the F2 key to get into the BIOS setup program. If you have a USB keyboard, make sure it is plugged into one of USB ports on the back of the computer. Only one of these ports will be active prior to loading Windows.

Steve

Catalyst118 · Answer

My keyboard is hooked into the right USB port.  The problem is that I do not see the Dell logo like I'm suppose to in the beginning.  I'm not sure what else to do.  When I hit F2 repeatedly, it just freezes on me.  Someone please help!

volcano11 · Answer

When you say your keyboard is plugged into the 'right' USB port, do you mean the 'correct' USB port or one on the right-hand side?  Is it plugged into the one shown on the set up diagram that came with your computer? - http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim2350/K0515a00.pdf   Of course you could always try plugging it into different ports until you find the 'correct' one.   Are you watching the keyboard when you power on the computer?  Does the keyboard have lights on it?  What happens if you hit the F2 key as soon as you see the lights light up?  Of course if the lights don't light up until Windows loads because you are not plugged into the 'correct' USB port you won't get into the BIOS setup program.

Majestic · Answer

Catalyst118, what kind of monitor you have?  I recall someone else having a similar problem using a flat panel monitor.  The monitor was inactive during boot up until the Windows drivers were loaded.  Unfortunately I can't find that previous posting in searching the forum.  I believe one of the suggestions offered was to switch temporarily to a CRT monitor in order to have video during boot up and for the re-install of the OS.

Catalyst118 · Answer

Thanks for helping.  I'm at work right now and I can't check my keyboard at the moment.  But i'll do that once i get home.  BUt on the other issue, I do have a flat screen panel.  I hope it's not the problem...but I can try to get a CRT and try that out.  Thanks for the suggestions! I'll reply again tonight.

Catalyst118 · Answer

I can't get my hands on a CRT right now...and i'm not sure what I should do.  I do have a flat screen panel and when I try to hit F2 before it starts, nothing happens.  It seems like it freezes instead.  Should I just take it to a professional or troubleshoot it myself?  I'm running out of options...

Majestic · Answer

If the system appears to be freezing after pressing the F2 key.....  my best guess is that the system is indeed entering the BIOS Setup program which you can't see because of the flat panel monitor being used.  Without trying a CRT monitor it is difficult to confirm if the flat panel monitor is source of the problem.

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Cannot get into Bios Settings

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