BIOS Problem on DELL Inspiron 1100

Hey gang!
I didn't know if this should go into hardware or software. I figured since it's a problem with BIOS, I would post in software. However, here is the problem. I am working on a customers computer (DELL Inspiron 1100) and I am trying to restore the computer for him. Main problem being that the boot order is set to HD>CD. No problem right? I'll just enter the BIOS and change that. So i press the F2 at startup and I get no response. So I try to just change the boot order for this one boot by pressing the F12 key, again with no response. So I did the ol' every key of the piano move (Moving your finger down the entire F1-12 line) and absolutely nothing! First instince was bad key, stuck key, or perhaps a demolished keyboard ribbon. However, all of these things checked out just fine! I went to the Dell website and it had pretty much nothing to offer. To top it off, I can't access windows on the gentlemans computer so I can't even try to flash the BIOS! Any suggestions?

 

I have done this on desk tops but dont know about laptops, pull the hard drive loose, boot to the cd, let windows begin loading files, then insert hard drive. ed

 

only problem with that:
If you boot the computer without the hard drive, the Windows setup will not recognize that there is a harddrive. IE. doesn't help, but thank you!

 

You may try removing one of the memory sticks and when the BIOS detects a memory size change you will be offered F! to continue and f2 to enter setup.

 

I tried it anyway. First time it didn't work. Second time around, I had that hard drive back in with a quickness and it is loadnig!

Also the idea about swapping out the ram is not a bad idea either! Thanks for the input about this! Very cool. Gotta hate these days where you just can't think.

 

The only time that this wouldnt work was when the jumper was not on the right pins[ like it came from another pc]. let us know if it works for you. ed