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How do I do that "BIOS setup" thing?
Wednesday, 15 August, 2007
Well how do I? Your answers often tell me to do it, but I don’t know how!
(Originally posted June 2004)
Dorothy Dix, Blackstump, QLD
 In most circumstances, when you power up your system there will be a message contained on one of the initial POST message screens (before it gets to Windows) indicating which key to press to access Setup. This will usually be the <Delete> key, and pressing it at this point will get you into the BIOS Setup Menu System. You might need to press it several times to ensure you get the timing correct, as some systems are a bit ‘touchy’ with the timing of it. There will also usually be a brief delay after the keypress before the ‘Setup’ menu appears.
If your system is a ‘Brand Name’ one from a major computer system provider, such as Dell, HP, IBM or the like, there may be a manufacturer ‘Logo’ screen displayed which hides the POST messages. If this is so, pressing the <Tab> or <Esc> keys should stop the Logo screen from displaying and allow you to see the POST messages being displayed.
On some systems, however, a different keypress is required to access BIOS Setup. The manufacturer may have set the keypress to a different combination, or the BIOS itself may necessitate it. Here is a list of possibilities for the benefit of those who might need it. (Thanks to the Forums at Infopros where I found the information):
Manufacturer | BIOS access method |
| Acer | <Ctrl> + <Alt> + <Esc> |
| ALR PC | <F2>
or <Ctrl> + <Alt> + <Esc> |
| AMI BIOS | <Del> or <F1> or <F2> |
| AWARD BIOS | <Del>
or <Ctrl> + <Alt> + <Esc> |
| Compaq | <F10> (must be pressed when there is a blinking cursor displayed at top right of screen. Pressing <F10> once per second at this point will gain access.) |
| Dell | <F1> or <Del> (some)
Press the reset button twice (some)
<Ctrl> + <Alt> + <Enter> (some) |
| DTK BIOS | <Esc> |
| Gateway 2000 | <F1> |
| Hewlett Packard | <F1> |
| IBM | Hold down both mouse buttons during bootup (some older models)
<F1> (Aptiva)
<Ctrl> + <Alt> + <Del> and then <Ctrl> + <Alt> + <Ins> (PS/2)
<Ins> (PS/2 with ‘reference partition’)
<Ctrl> + <Ins> (some PS/2) when pointer appears at top right of screen |
| Leading Edge | <Ctrl> + <Alt> + <A> (Fortiva 5000 |
| NEC | <F2> |
| Olivetti PC Pro | <Shift> + <Ctrl> + <Alt> + <NumPad Del> |
| Packard Bell | <F1> or <F2> |
| PHOENIX BIOS | <F1> or <F2> or <Ctrl> + <Alt> + <Esc> (some)
<Ctrl> + <Alt> + <S> (some)
<Ctrl> + <S> (some)
<Ctrl> + <Alt> + <Ins> (some) |
| Sony | <F3> while starting the PC, then <F2> or <F1> |
Tandon
Toshiba Laptops | <Ctrl> + <Shift> + <Esc>
Use included Utility (some)
Press <Esc> during boot (some) |
| Your Other assorted PCs | <Ctrl> + <Esc> or <Ctrl> + <Alt> + <+> |
| Zenith | <Ctrl> + <Alt> + <Ins> |
On some newer motherboards, you may find that there is a jumper which disables access to BIOS setup. If this is the situation for your motherboard, the jumper will need to be changed first, to enable access. Consult your motherboard manual for details.
Quite a few of the entries on that list relate to quite old systems. I’ve included them here for the benefit of anyone who might be fiddling around with an old system they’ve purchased at a ‘flea market’ or auction.
If your system isn’t actually included on the list, and <Del> doesn’t get you in, then there are a lot of alternatives in the list to try! I hope one of them works for you.
Cheers, Terry O'Shanassy
 Reader solutions
?Posted: 19/08/2009 re: How do I do that try pressing delete when it starts up and keep pressing it that worked for me from the very start A.jPosted: 18/05/2009 re: How do I do that Hey, thanks for the article but it doesnt solve my particular problem. Im trying to overclock this semi-old hp compaq comp (dc7600) i have. The opening screen says f10 for setup so i assume its the bios. So i press it and this setup utility comes up but its not the bios. It has barely any options at all never mind processor options or anything. Its an old office computer so maybe i have restricted access or something? Any suggestions? Thanks
(Ring HP/Compaq and ask. It's worth a try. -PZ) Cody APosted: 07/03/2009 re: How do I do that I have an hp pavilion elite m9250f desktop and I have tried everything to get into the bios, my bios version is American Megatrends 5.19 any help? thanks!!
(WHat did HP say when you asked? -PSZ) HarryPosted: 06/10/2008 re: How do I do that I have a IBM 385XD Think Pad Notebook with 233mmx cpu. question how do I enter the bios to install 20 Gig upgrade hard drive disk.
Thanks
Harry Masood RehmaniPosted: 25/09/2008 How do I do Enter Setup/Bios of Compaq Armada 1592DMT Sir I could not enter the setup/bios of Compay Armada 1592DMT failed to F10 key or anyother
(What does Compaq say? -PZ) AshPosted: 29/12/2007 re: How do I do that Does my 'puter even have a bios?
(Certainly. They all do. It's a standard part of a PC. -PZ) Keith MitchellPosted: 18/08/2007 re: How do I do that There are a lot of answers here, but as I don't know the reason for your original post, I don't know why you would want to do this. You would have to re-publish your original question to give some reasonable technical answers, otherwise you're going to get a lot of jargon from people who are trying to help, but have their own answers without necessarily having a soulution to your "problem". If you can do this.....There is really no need to acces your BIOS setup unless you want to reboot your PC from a different physical drive, A, B C, or D etc depending on your configuration.
(I disagree Keith. That was a reasonable question. There are other reasons for needing to knoiw how to access the BIOS setup. For instance, changing the amount of RAM allocated to on-board graphics or changing other hardware settings at boot-up.-PZ) mmPosted: 16/08/2007 re: How do I do that After all these years, I think Dorothy has a crush on PC user's staff :)
(I wonder if Dorothy Dix has an entry in Wikipedia. I'll bet she does. -PZ) MikePPosted: 16/08/2007 re: How do I do that I have to ask the question. So many people want to "get into the Bios" but don't know how.
The question is that if you don't know how to get in, should you be playing there at all?
Finding the "how" isn't difficult, even for me. StormPosted: 14/08/2007 re: How do I do that Hey, i have a compaq deskpro 2000 and tried all the F keys but it keeps saying keyboard error when i do it but the keyboard works fine.
(Is it a USB or a PS/2 keyboard? Borrow or buy a PS/2 keyboard and it will probably work. -PZ) pietPosted: 20/04/2007 re: How do I do that after presing F10 for the compaq bios it ask for a pasword (emptie)
after 3 times I can go into the bios but I can't chance the settings.
what is wrong.
(I don't know, but you should ask Compaq. -PZ) NrupenPosted: 31/01/2007 re: How do I do that I have Compaq Armada 1592DMT Laptop. I can't go in BIOS Setup , i have tried all F1, F2, F10, DEL, ESC etc.
so please say me the key for going in to BIOS Soccer fanaticPosted: 24/11/2005 re: How do I do that If anyone gets to the bios and doesnt know there password first ask whoever built ur comp wat it is or u can reset it by first closing ur computer then opening it up and taking out the internal battery for a min of 15 mins den put it back in and restart ur comp!! there u go der is no password now and u go strait inot the bios and set a new password that u will remember P.S Never Trust a Yugoslavian(for u non soccer fantics they also call them selves MACO)
kerryPosted: 07/06/2005 BIOS problem i got to the BIOS, i have HP so i click F1. when the screen come out, the screen appears to be blue and it tells me to enter password. I have no idea which password is it talkin about. any of u got an idea of wut password is the thing talkin about? farooqPosted: 06/06/2005 re: How do I do that when i want to enter bios,i use to press DEL key but no response.my system config is PII,COMPAQ DESKPRO2000.could any one give me idea for entering the bios setup? JohnPosted: 14/09/2004 re: How do I do that Compaq (must be pressed when there is a blinking cursor displayed at top right of screen. Pressing once per second at this point will gain access.)
When I press F10, a black screen appear and nothing else... What should I do?
(Look in the handbook or contact Compaq. -Paul Zucker)
GeraldPosted: 16/07/2004 re: How do I do that I need to get into the BIOS setup on a COMTEX . The serial # is00889
(Try http://www.comtexmicro.com/html/cmtx2101.htm for help. -Paul Zucker)
PeterEPosted: 26/06/2004 re: How do I do that Thanks for the above Terry, but you didn't give any details about when, where, and how to update a BIOS.
Should a user wait until problems appear before searching for an Update?
Where should any such Update be sort from, Microsoft or an individual manufacturer, eg. Intel, Gigabyte, Nvidia, etc?
Should these Updates be downloaded to a "Drivers" file or stored separatley by Manufacturer named files?
What is "Firmware"?
Although my PC is running well at the moment, could I be missing out by not activly seaking out the Updates?
Best regards from Peter E.
(Hi Peter. That's one of the dangers of the terminology. What Terry's talking about if the BIOS or CMOS setup, which is merely the "settings" of the PC. A BIOS upgrade is a different thing. Do a HelpStation search for "BIOS AND UPGRADE". Also check for "firmware". I'll put up a question and answer for you. -Paul Zucker
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