Hardware
The first thing that anyone setting up a computer has to do is configure it's B.I.O.S. (Basic Input Output System) So how come your thinking "well, I never had to", or "it's the last thing I learned" or.... well maybe you didn't but if you set the machine up, it (BIOS) must have done it for you (automatically). Perhaps the problem is you cant access BIOS. I recall a famous (in my mind) statement "...most of the guys just pull the ide cable off the hard drive, that pretty much guarantees they'll see BIOS..." So here's how you do it;
|
PC make or model |
Key that you should press to enter the BIOS |
|---|---|
|
Compaq Presario |
Press the F10 key when the red Compaq logo is displayed. |
|
Dell Dimension |
Press the DELETE key as the system powers up. |
|
Dell OptiPlex |
Press the F2 key or Ctrl + Alt + Enter keys during startup. |
|
Dell Latitude (except LM) |
Press the FN + F1 keys simultaneously at any time. |
|
Dell Inspiron and Latitude LM |
Press the F2 key during startup. |
|
Emachines |
Press the Delete key as the system starts up. |
|
Gateway |
Press the F1 key as the computer starts. |
|
HP Pavilion (most models) |
Press the F1 key as the computer starts at the blue HP screen. |
|
HP Vectra and Kayak |
Press the F2 key as the computer starts at the blue HP screen. |
|
IBM ThinkPad |
Press the FN + F1 keys simultaneously at any time. |
|
IBM Aptiva |
Press the F1 key as the computer starts at the blue IBM screen. |
Now hold up a minute, don't just go bounding in and change things without a reason! Human nature being what it is almost (I cant think of an example where it isn't true, but.... who knows...) all BIOS provides a jumper or some function to return to default settings.
this page is under construction, more will follow...
