Can't get into BIOS. F2 or CTRL+ALT+ENTER doesn't work.

Question

I have a Dell Optiplex GX1 - 400Mhz. This was previously part of a network and the boot process may have come from the server. I have examined the HD on another PC and it contains a version of Windows NT Workstation.

When I switch on, the DELL logo screen appears, the progress bar fills about 25%, the screen goes black, then I get the message "Invalid configuration - please run SETUP program". I cannot get it to do anything after this. I have tried every conceivable keystroke and many combinations, F2, CTRL+ALT+ENTER, ad nauseum, both after the message has appeared and during the boot up process. Someone suggested to press f2 immediately all the keyboard light were lit. This didn't work either.

As advised by various people on this forum, I have tried removing various attachments to the motherboard, like HD floppy drive, CD, even the riser, in the hope that it will default to something. In the end it has to default to the floppy, so I can run a W98 bootup program, or something similar. But I still get the invalid configuration message, plus a message saying can't find HD or floppy etc. And it always seems impossible to progress beyond this stage.

The BIOS version appears to be A02. This appears on the very first screen (the DELL logo screen). People seem to think changing the bios might improve things but unless I can get the system to recognise either the floppy or the HD I can't make progress.

I have now removed the CMOS battery for an hour or so. The invalid configuration message no longer appears so now I just get a blank screen, apart from a flashing cursor. And nothing I press on the keyboard works.

I have tried 2 other PS2 keyboards. No difference

I hope someone out there has a suggestion, short of the bin. I think I've tried everything, but hope to be proved wrong

Mike

peterfelgate_ce40d3 · Answer

Take the system down to just the CPU and memory (no expansion cards, riser card, IDE/CD ROM drives etc). Power on, and watch the top right hand part of the screen. It should tell you to press F2 to get into setup. Press F2. It should change to Entering setup. If this doesn't happen, you may have a duff keyboard input circuit. Does the progress bar then halt or go to 100%? If the former, there's stilla problem with the hardware. If it goes to 100% then blanks, the bios has executed and is now probing the hard drives etc. If so, wait for at least five minutes - the bios at this stage probes for all devices and it can take some time to come back, usually with an F1/F2 prompt.

MJRB · Answer

Thanks for your comments. Your help is appreciated

The progress bar moves no more than 25%, then the screen clears. I now get 2 messages on the second screen viz

Diskette Drive 0 seek failure

Primary hard disk drive 0 not found

These 2 messages are obviously as a result of disconnecting the cables to these devices. I have also disconnected everything else, (CD and riser) except the memory card and the keyboard.

The message in the top corner does not appear (F2 etc)

I was interested in your comment that the progress bar not filling 100% indicating a hardware problem. Do you know what those problems might be?, e.g. faulty memory chip, BIOS chip etc?

Incidentally I have even tried rebooting without the keyboard in case this is causing the problem. The F2 message still did not appear

peterfelgate_ce40d3 · Answer

Did you wait a few minutes?  It may be that the behaviour is as you observe if you are using an older bios.  Leave the system a while after it reports the disk missing - it is clear that the bios is running and POST is executing if you get these messages.  It may be a flat battery......

MJRB · Answer

Yes, even after an hour or so there is no change in the display. And I removed the battery and checked the voltage with an analogue test meter. It read 3v, which is the stated voltage on the battery. I have even tried a new one, after leaving the socket empty for a day or two, but it made no difference.

After your comment about the possiblity of other hardware faults I substituted another memory chip. It made no difference.However when I replaced the original memory chip AND added the additional chip, making 2 in all, the second screen reported MEMORY SIZE CHANGED (or some similar message). So something is working! But still no message including F2

I think the bin is looming ever nearer!

peterfelgate_ce40d3 · Answer

The point at which you should press F2 is as soon as the Dell logo and progress bar appear.

varnent · Answer

Removing all the components worked for me. Thanks! Message Edited by varnent on 06-27-2004 11:02 PM

MJRB · Answer

Things have moved on a bit. The reluctant PC was one of a number surplus to requirements after a network upgrade. I swapped it for another and the replacement behaves in an entirely predictable way, recognising memory addition, changes of hard drive etc. And it displays the F2 notice just as you all said it would.

But the original one still wont play ball, no matter what I do, so I have transferred all the memory and the hard drive to the replacement - it now has 2 drives courtesy of a new cable.

I really appreciate the help from the people who have been kind enough to try to get me going. I hope to be able to repay the favour in the future.

Thanks again

Mike

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Can't get into BIOS. F2 or CTRL+ALT+ENTER doesn't work.

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