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Thread ID: 82202 2007-08-19 02:52:00 Can't get into bios Bob_the_lob (10622) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
582655 2007-08-19 02:52:00 Hi Everyone

I recently got a Compaq d530, which was surplus from work. Now I want to get into the bios so I can change hard drives in it. When it starts up it very briefly says "press f10 to enter setup", but if I do this it just continues to load windows. I also tried delete, f1, and esc to get in, but no luck.

I thought maybe it was ignoring my key presses or something, but found if I held down some keys it would stop on a "Keyboard error" screen, not just immediately load windows. In that screen it also says "Press f10 to enter setup, or esc to load windows", but pressing either just loads windows!!

This is not a password problem (I think) because it never gets to a point where a password is requested.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Bob_the_lob (10622)
582656 2007-08-19 02:59:00 Press / hold F10 DOWN as soon as you reboot.

Until the BIOS screen appears.

I think youre pressing it too late (after it says press it on the screen).
Speedy Gonzales (78)
582657 2007-08-19 03:10:00 Nope :(
I tried holding down f10 and it did go to a black screen with the words "HP d530" and "Setup" in the corners, for about 1 second, then continued loading windows.
Anything else?
Bob_the_lob (10622)
582658 2007-08-19 03:19:00 Try F2 that works on some compaqs

If you look quickly when first booting it normally says what key to enter BIOS / setup. but you gotta be fast to spot it.
wainuitech (129)
582659 2007-08-19 03:22:00 It says to use f10, just that doing so makes it load windows. Bob_the_lob (10622)
582660 2007-08-19 03:32:00 Some Compaqs display a white square at the top right hand corner of the screen early in the power up sequence. That's when ypu need to give it F10.

Howver, probably the disk has been wiped, and the maintenance partion is no longer there to respond to F10. ;)

Look for a "RomPaq" for that model. That will let you make a few floppies, which can be booted from. That lets you restore the maintenace partition.

This applies to many older models I've come across. It might not apply to very modern machines, but you can only try. :D
Graham L (2)
582661 2007-08-19 03:47:00 OK, thanks! I'll give it a try. Bob_the_lob (10622)
582662 2007-08-19 04:19:00 Just had a thought ( yes it hurt):) If none of the F keys work , make sure the F LOCK is activated on start up.

Some systems require you to quickly press F Lock on boot up then the F keys work, other wise they are dead.
wainuitech (129)
582663 2007-08-21 07:17:00 I have discovered that I can only get into the bios when the computer is being restarted. :confused:

I have never heard of this before, but that's how it seems to be working here! If the computer is shut down then turned on, even the boot disc does nothing - it just loads windows. But when the computer is restarted, I can get into the bios with a simple f10.
:waughh:
Thanks for all the help!
Bob_the_lob (10622)
582664 2007-08-21 09:06:00 Well yer of course you have to reboot to get into the BIOS .

You cant get into it, if youre in windows .

Thats what you have to do with any PC (reboot and press a F key or del to get into it) .
Speedy Gonzales (78)
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