TSGL: Reformt Restore Can't Do It

[Dave]

Dave,
   
     It's a shame that early in the desktop computer development era 
that a standard BIOS key wasn't adopted,
but every company wanted to rule the roost.

Here's a page that shows the multiplicities of techniques:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

The IBMs listed these (even one company couldn't keep it straight!)

	
IBM® <http://www.ibm.com/> 	F1
IBM E-pro Laptop 	F2
IBM PS/2® 	CTRL+ALT+INS after CTRL+ALT+DEL
IBM Thinkpad® (newer) 	Windows: Programs-Thinkpad CFG.



Are you holding the button down at the same time as hitting the power 
button?

As soon as the first B&W screen flashes on the screen during boot (the 
BIOS ID screen, actually) , try to read the print at the bottom, where 
it should specify the proper key.
Sometimes,  pressing the Break key will freeze that screen for easy 
reading.

On some systems,  to get into the BIOS,  it's the BREAK/PAUSE key, the 
ESC key, or even the DEL key. 
Also try holding the CTRL key down with each of them.

 Timing is critical so rapidly clicking whichever key might work.

Don't give up.

PS:  Wait a bit to save more funds, then get a Dell or HP.   After 
trying to fix a couple of Compaqs,
I don't want to go there any more! [they REALLY hide the BIOS!].



David R. Feese wrote:
> To Dave R. 
>
> Dave, 
>
> Neither F1 or F2 will allow me to get into the BIOS.  Just goes right into Windows. 
>
> F8 allows me to get into Safe Mode and gives some other options but nothing that would allow me to get into the BIOS to check which Drive loads first.  
>
> Dave Feese
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