Can't access bios, no command promt

[dfontenot81]

Hello,

 

I have a problem, I can't get into the bios. And I know how to, it's just that I'm not getting the promt to do so, anymore.

Er, admittedly, this is my fault. Last time I was in there, I changed something, trying to assign the IRQ to VGA, so that my new graphics card would work.

Anyway, ahem...PLEASE, PLEASE HELP!

 

Thanks

[RandyL]

Hi;

What computer do you have? Dell, HP, IBM etc.

[dfontenot81]

Dell, Dimension 3000

[RandyL]

To enter the BIOS on a dell dimension continually tap either the F2 or Del key at startup. It could be either one.

[dfontenot81]

It's F2 on mine, and I tried that. The thing is, it doesn't even give me a command prompt to do so, anymore, it just goes straight to Windows.

[AdvancedSetup]

It's just a timing issue. Try holding the F2 down the entire time from a POWER OFF state. It should give you a keyboard error. If it does then it's just a timing issue. If it doesn't then you may have a bad keyboard and the F2 is not working.

[dfontenot81]

I tried that, it just holds it at a black screen, I tried F8, which would take me to safe-mode, I even tried holding down Insert (which, on some computers, takes you to the safe-mode select screen), nothing.

I changed something in the bios that makes it automatically go to windows, bypassing the promt, and I don't know how to reverse this.

[dfontenot81]

By the way, thank you guys, because I really need help. Jeez, I just realized I've been spelling prompt wrong this whole time. :o

[RandyL]

Well there's nothing you could have changed in the bios that would prevent you from getting back in. It most likely is just a timing issue.

 

Have you tried a different keyboard and if so was it PS2?

Have you tried removing the cmos battery for a few minutes?

[RandyL]

From Dell:

At the first text on the screen, or when the Dell™ logo appears, press the <F2> key every three seconds until the message Entering Setup appears.

[dfontenot81]

Okay, I tried the 3 second thing, and it just held me at a black screen. I think what's going on is, the screen is not coming on, until windows is loaded. Maybe the bios is pulling up, but I just can't see it? Any ideas?

[dfontenot81]

Hmm, what would pulling the CMOS battery do?

[dfontenot81]

Alright, I looked into pulling the battery, and that would erase all the cmos values, right? But, since I can no longer see what those values are, I can't put them back in. So, does anybody know how I can get a full list of said values?

[AdvancedSetup]

Not without getting into the BIOS - however it will default to basic values and most everything will work.

 

Then you can look at making changes as needed but you may want to review with a site that lists all the BIOS settings and what they mean and what they should possibly be set to.

[dfontenot81]

Really? Well, then maybe that will work. Okay, then, one more question- do you know of a site that would list those settings that I could review with?

I'm pretty certain I have a phoenix bios.

[maynardvdm]

Hi

 

Have a look here: Phoenix