Reference number: CH000192
How to enter the BIOS
or CMOS setup.
Issue:How to enter the BIOS or CMOS setup.
Reasoning:
IBM compatible users may need to enter the
BIOS or
CMOS setup to change how their computer's hardware is currently
configured.
Solution:Because of the wide variety of computer
manufacturers and BIOS manufacturers over the evolution of
computers, there have been numerous different ways to enter the
BIOS or CMOS Setup. Below is a listing of the majority of these methods
as well as other recommendations for entering the BIOS
setup.
Notice: If you are unable to get into the
BIOS or CMOS setup because of a password please see
document
CH000235.
New computers
Thankfully, computers that have been manufactured
in the last few years will allow you to enter the CMOS by pressing
one of the below five keys during the
boot. Usually it's one of the
first three.
A user will know when to press this key when they
see a message similar to the below example as the computer is
booting. Some older computers may also display a flashing block
to indicate when to press the F1 or F2 keys.
Press <F2> to enter BIOS setup
Tip: If your computer is a new computer
and you are unsure of what key to press when the computer is
booting, try pressing and holding one or more keys the keyboard. This
will cause a stuck key error, which may allow you to enter the
BIOS setup.
Older computers
Unlike the computers of today, older computers
had numerous different methods of entering the BIOS setup. Below
is a listing of general key sequences that may have had to be
pressed as the computer was booting.
- CTRL + ALT + ESC
- CTRL + ALT + INS
- CTRL + ALT + ENTER
- CTRL + ALT + S
- PAGE UP KEY
- PAGE DOWN KEY
ACER BIOS
If your computer is unable to boot or you wish
to restore the BIOS back to bootable settings and your computer
uses an ACER BIOS, press and hold the F10 key as you turn on the
computer. While continuing to hold the F10 key, you should hear
two beeps indicating that the settings have been restored.
AMI BIOS
Older AMI BIOS could be restored back to
bootable settings by pressing and holding the
Insert
key as the computer is booting.
BIOS / CMOS diskettes
Early 486, 386, and 286 computers may have
required a floppy disk in order to enter the BIOS setup. These
diskettes are known as ICU, BBU, and SCU disks. Because these
diskettes are unique to your computer manufacturer, you must
obtain the diskettes from them. See our support
list for contact information on computer manufacturers.
Early IBM
computers
Some models of early IBM computers required that
the user press and hold both mouse buttons as the computer was
booting in order to enter the BIOS setup.
Other suggestions
Finally, if none of the above suggestions help
get you into your CMOS setup you can cause a stuck key error,
which will usually cause the CMOS setup prompt to appear and
remain until you press a key to continue. To do this press and
hold any key on the keyboard and do not let go (you may get
several beeps as you're doing this). Keep holding the key until
the computer stops booting and you're prompted with an option to
enter setup or to press another key to continue booting.
Additional information:
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