laptop....bios

formatting laptop

i just bought a laptop from a buddy ......is formatting it the same as formatting a desktop?..........

 

i have a Dell Inspiron 1100 laptop, im trying to change the boot sequence so i can format it and reinstall XP using my bootable XP disk. On the splash screen it says to hit f2 to get into my bios, ive tried that a dozen times. Ive done some surfing and i seen all kinds of ways to get into my bios.....FN+F1 f5 f10 f12....ive hit every "f"...nothing seems to work to get into my bios....does anyone have any ideas on how i can get in it? thx in advance

 

Re: formatting laptop

i have the driver cd that the laptop came w/.......problem is ....cant get into the bios to change the boot sequence....tried the f2 like it says to but it goes str8 to windows.....i know its a bootable cd ive used it many times....

 

i tried the delete and it still goes to windows, i also tested the f2 key and it works fine...any other suggestions........thx in advance

 

Re: formatting laptop

You have to be very quick with modern pcs and start tapping the bios key as you press the power button.

Are you sure it's F2?

 

Re: formatting laptop

i tried what u said........as soon as i hit the power button i started tapping f2....still goes str8 to windows...grr......im sure its f2, it says right in the corner "press f2 for system utilities"...i also went to dell.com and punched in my model type and they all say f2 is supposed to get me there.......

 

F12 not F2, Halo.
Start the machine with the XP disc in the drive.
Start tapping the F-12 button as soon as you turn on the computer. (keep tapping, don't wait until it boots into Windows)
It will give you the options to boot from, choose disk.

 

Re: formatting laptop

Some Dells use the Del key.

Some other laptops and pcs use a combination of keys, but I don't know any Dells that do.

You have nothing to loose by experimenting.

The other question, for a laptop is

Are you sure you are starting from cold, not some standby or hibernate mode?

Take the main battery out and put it back in and try again.

 

Re: formatting laptop

tried the battery thing ..still no go......i found a list bios combo keys and tried them all....still no go......i also read that if i removed the battery and left it out for a few that would reset the cmos, 30 screws later i still couldnt get the back off, theres something inside that has a hold on it. I tried just running the XP cd from the desktop w/ new installation, i figured i could delete the partition and create a new 1, that would wipe out the old OS...`but it wouldnt let me because it had already copied the new XP files to that partition so it wouldnt delete it....so now i have 2 OS's...it just keeps gettin better...any other ideas?

 

shoot..........that didnt work either, i starting tappin right when i hit the power button...w/ the bootable XP cd in.....st8 to windows......i double checked the CD-Rom...works fine...im startin to wonder if a nine iron golf club will help matters any?......any other suggestions.......

 

F2 gets me into the BIOS of my Inspiron 600M. Have you tried putting the CD in the computer in Windows and installing from there?

E

 

From the Dell site:

STEP: Configure the Inspiron 1100 BIOS to Boot From the CD Drive
Additional Information
http://dsnimg.dell.com/images/external/images/UI/new_note.jpgNote: The following steps set your BIOS to boot from the CD drive at every reboot. The changes are permanent unless they are reversed or the BIOS is set to default settings using the Restore BIOS Defaults section.

1. Insert a bootable CD into the CD drive.
   
2. Restart the system.
   
3. When the Dell logo screen appears, press <F2> to enter the System Setup.
   
4. Press the <Right Arrow> on your keyboard to highlight Boot.
   
5. Press the <Up Arrow> or the <Down Arrow> to highlight CD-ROM Device.
   
6. Press <F5> or <F6 > on the keyboard to move CD-ROM Device to the top of the list.
   
7. Press <F10>.
   
8. Press the spacebar to select Yes.
   
9. Press <Enter> to Save changes and exit now.

Your system now attempts to boot to the CD that is inserted into the CD drive.


What was the problem that leads you to reinstall the OS?
I have seen nasties that keep you fromk booting from disk.

 

Re: formatting laptop

I did say remove the internal coin cell battery I said remove the main battery. This should just unclip without opening the case.

What model is the laptop?

 

Re: formatting laptop

thats what i did...i removed the main battery pack, i never got to the coin battery. Its a Dell Inspiron 1100.

 

Re: formatting laptop

You have two threads on this subject.

I did ask the mods to combine them as there is useful information in both that should not be duplicated.

When you tap F2 or Del or whatever you need to do it repeatedly and rapidly, not once or hold down the key. When I meet an unknown pc I usually rapidly alternate between these two.

To clarify terminology.

Windows Vista has an enhanced set of recovery tools which give access to Vista System Restore, before Windows starts fully. These are separate and distinct from restore options provided by the manufacturer. I understand your desire to keep your data.

This is accessed either by booting from the Windows DVD or by a function key (F12 on Dell I think) and leads to ascreen with the following options

1) Startup Repair

2) System Restore

3) Complete PC Restore

4) Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool

5) Command Prompt

You need Number 2.

If Windows is causing problems accessing the BIOS I would be inclined to remove the hard drive temporarily and start the pc without.

 

heres the whole scoop w/ this laptop.....i bought it from a buddy of mine that was in need of some cash, but it was a basket case w/ malware ,trojans,hijackers,rerouters etc etc.....plus it still had the original Mcafee (yuk) and the other Dell bs on there that just eats resources. As of now...ive put a new copy of XP on there w/o formatting, so theres 2 OS on this laptop, the 1 i just put on there runs like a top but the original 1 wont even boot and it takes 1/2 the hard drive space. I guess my goal was to see if the laptop was even worth buying so i put the other OS on it...b4 i did that it wouldnt boot from cd either. I was gonna try the "ole system restore " to as far back as it would go but now the original wont even boot. Now that i know it runs like a top i wanna format it to get all the HHD space....what a lu-lu huh?...so if theres any way i can get this "piece of art" (and i say that loosely)into the bios to change the boot sequence...it would be awesome....thx again

 

Re: formatting laptop

nope ..dont want the data.....i wanna wipe it clean.......im running windows XP....guess i shoulda mentioned that....

ya i put it in the hardware and the software threads...i guess it has to do w/ both....thx for the merge...

 

Now we are merged, everybody's sinking in the same ship.

Did you manage to get to the BIOS with the hard drive out?

 

Have you tried to format the old partition that has all the crap on it?
Some dells have a system restore partition which resets it to factory set up, have you looked into that?

 

STUDIOT... i havent tried to take out the HHD, i was trying to refrain from takin this thing apart, i know my way around a desktop...never took apart a laptop....theres 2 trap doors on the bottom of the comp but 1's for memory and the other is for the wireless internet

FRED G.... i put the other windows on by poppin the XP cd in while the comp was already in windows....

TJET..... U read my mind...i looked for that factory system restore..no luck, as for the partition....both of them were on the same partion...when i put the other OS on it gave me the option to delete the partion, i choose that option but...since i was already in windows it wouldnt delete partition because it was being used...i was using windows to put in windows...so it said that i couldnt delete the partition, tried the same thing in command prompt, typed "FORMAT c:" told me that i couldnt because it was being used.....(guess thats why they make boot disks huh...) it gave me another option which was to remove the old windows files.....i choose yes.......it got rid of the other windows files but left all the other data on there, and put my new windows on top of it. Now when i turn the machine on i have a choice of XP home (the old windows) or XP Pro (the windows i just put on)..if i click on the home version it tells me that theres no windows files there....if i click on the Pro, its my clean install that runs great except i have 1/2 my hard drive being used by the old left over data from the original XP home......r ya confused yet?...lol

 

You don't need to take it apart it just slides out.
Page 105 of the owners manual clearly described how to remove the hard drive.
It's in a carrier retained by two screws.


http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins5100/en/i1100-om.pdf

 

ok ill give ut a try.......i guess 30 screws was a lil exagerated....i took out about 8 lil screws and there was something still holding it together so i just put it all back....i was gonna try to take out the "coin battery" to reset the cmos......imma go rip out a hard drive, ill post when im finished....oh and thx for the guide addy!!!!!

 

Don't recommend trying for the Cmos Battery.

Those that are not accessible under a removable panel are usually the devil's own job to remove.

 

i c .....we'll scratch the lil battery gitter-outter idea then........well... i pull the hard drive....i tried the f2 the delete the fn+f1.......i tried everyrthing.....all it does is tell me that there isnt a operating system.....that guide u gave me was kick-a** tho........it gives exact details on how to boot up the cd if ur gonna install windows (on page 95)..it tells me to hit f12 at the logo screen and other options will appear.......i of course get no other options , i tried it over and over again...tapping, holding .....sometimes i get a looooooong beep.....sometimes i just get the windows choice....

 

seein how the frushtration is setting in.....i figure id better test out a few other simple things....first off the cd-rom its-self..its good.......next ...several bootable cds that i tried in my (guinie pig desktop)..XP Pro, XP Home,XP Pro Dark Edition,Vista ultimate...last but not least "Derik's HHD Nuker".....all booted up fine in the desktop......i think that laptop is beggin for a 2lb sledge party.........

 

Not being funny but you are using the laptop keyboard, not a plug in one aren't you?

I have asked Dell Customer Assistance to respond,

Check here in a day or two for their answer.

 

im using the keyboard on the laptop itself......no plug in 1.....i tried something else that had nooo effect ........i made a boot floppy disk and plugged in my external usb "A" drive hopeing that would start some action...........no good....ok ill check back thx again

 

Sorry I've not heard from them yet.