hi. I've a dell gx260.i have red hat installed on the pc.anyhow pc had not been turned on for a few months.anyhow i turned it on today and i get a message saying ' automatic ide configuration' then about 5 seconds later the pc powers off!! I cannot access the bios settings.I've tried various bootdisks and even partition magic - but nothing happens.I've replaced the ram,different hard drive,disconnected the cd rom + floppy drives, and still i get the same message! i've tried everything i can think of but nothin works. any ideas folks??
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can't access the bios
- Thread starter mgam
- Start date
BigBadBen provided you with the common keys used to access a bios, however these are not all there is. For example I've worked on various older PC's that required bizzar key combinations "ctrl+c" for example gave bios access for a Toshiba Laptop
If you tried what "BigBadBen" suggested and you're still not able to access the bios, it may be worth while to go to the "MFG" site and obtain what ever documention you can find on your system. They should have the information you require somewhere.
Alternatly, you could ask support, even if your warrantee is expired most will give you basic information such as bios acces keys etc. Apple, and Sony for example get a "2 Thumbs up" for this as they don't have to talk to unsupported customers, but do anyway.
Good Luck
If you tried what "BigBadBen" suggested and you're still not able to access the bios, it may be worth while to go to the "MFG" site and obtain what ever documention you can find on your system. They should have the information you require somewhere.
Alternatly, you could ask support, even if your warrantee is expired most will give you basic information such as bios acces keys etc. Apple, and Sony for example get a "2 Thumbs up" for this as they don't have to talk to unsupported customers, but do anyway.
Good Luck
- Thread starter
- #5
Few more key combinations - (though it sounds like something might have fundamentally gone wrong).
Another suggestion - 'hammer' keybaord as it boots to generate keyboard error - usually offers option to access bios settings when this happens.
Also have you tried disconnecting all the hardware (except keyboard, graphics) - in case its a bad piece of hardware causing the porblem.
Another suggestion - 'hammer' keybaord as it boots to generate keyboard error - usually offers option to access bios settings when this happens.
Also have you tried disconnecting all the hardware (except keyboard, graphics) - in case its a bad piece of hardware causing the porblem.
Well he said earlier that the PC powers off after 5 seconds so BIOS upgrade is out of the question...
(1) Try a different PSU just to make sure that's not the cause of the rather abrupt shutdown.
(2) Try disconnecting all drives, both power and data cables, remove any cards plugged into mobo other than video, and see if that will goad it into the BIOS.
(3) Another trick is to hold down the <Ins> key whilst powering up the computer - this sometimes causes default settings to be applied.
(4) Plug in a different keyboard just in case the usual one is playing up.
Good luck!
ROGER - G0AOZ.
(1) Try a different PSU just to make sure that's not the cause of the rather abrupt shutdown.
(2) Try disconnecting all drives, both power and data cables, remove any cards plugged into mobo other than video, and see if that will goad it into the BIOS.
(3) Another trick is to hold down the <Ins> key whilst powering up the computer - this sometimes causes default settings to be applied.
(4) Plug in a different keyboard just in case the usual one is playing up.
Good luck!
ROGER - G0AOZ.
Hi the Dell’s my area of desperandum!!!!
Has GOAOZ said do remove everything from motherboard leave only keyboard and monitor listen to the motherboard beeps.
If ok it will beep once if more it means you got problems. Each different beep is one particular prob.
Now if you have done this and by pressing DEL key (which is the Dell bios key) and it will not display the menu, you must set jumper p6 (or J4) to pin 2-3 which will at power on flash the bios room.
Then put power off and set the jumper to 1-2 and power on and press del it will go in the bios even the password protection will be reset at this point.
If not then do remove the battery from motherboard and power on this time it must flash the bios because it has no power to retain the settings
Let me know how it goes
Perito
Has GOAOZ said do remove everything from motherboard leave only keyboard and monitor listen to the motherboard beeps.
If ok it will beep once if more it means you got problems. Each different beep is one particular prob.
Now if you have done this and by pressing DEL key (which is the Dell bios key) and it will not display the menu, you must set jumper p6 (or J4) to pin 2-3 which will at power on flash the bios room.
Then put power off and set the jumper to 1-2 and power on and press del it will go in the bios even the password protection will be reset at this point.
If not then do remove the battery from motherboard and power on this time it must flash the bios because it has no power to retain the settings
Let me know how it goes
Perito
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