Where's the BIOS???

Hope this isn't too vague

I have a Dell laptop which has serious bad sector probs on the hard drive and the message I get is to go check the LBA in BIOS, but I can't get into BIOS???

Windows is not installed and I can only start the comp with the 98 startup disc. I have tried pressing DEL like my "normal" computer but nothing happens. grrrrrrrrrrr..

Can anyone help me get into the BIOS??

 

Try F2?

 

Thanks mate but when I did that it said invalid system disc......... huh????????

 

Getting into Bios
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Most Common:
DEL
F2
Ctr+Esc
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Computers with AMI BIOS Delete during bootup
Computer with AWARD BIOS Ctrl+Alt+Esc Anytime or DEL
Computer with DTK BIOS Escape during bootup
IBM PS/2 BIOS Ctrl+Alt+Insert after Ctrl+Alt+Delete or Insert
PHOENIX BIOS Ctrl+Alt+Escape or Cltrl+Alt+S or F1 or Ctr+Alt+Ins or Ctr+S
ALR PCs F-2 for PCI systems Ctrl+Alt+Escape - non PCI
Compaq PCs F-10
Gateway 2000 PC - F-1
Sony PC F-3 at Logo then F-1
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bios Manufacturer Key Command(s)

ALR Advanced Logic Research, Inc. PC / PCI F2
ALR PC non / PCI CTRL+ALT+ESC
AMD (Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.) BIOS F1
AMI (American Megatrends, Inc.) BIOS DEL
Award BIOS CTRL+ALT+ESC
Award BIOS DEL
DTK (Datatech Enterprises Co.) BIOS ESC
Phoenix BIOS CTRL+ALT+ESC
Phoenix BIOS CTRL+ALT+S
Phoenix BIOS CTRL+ALT+INS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Computer Key Command(s)

Acer F1, F2, CTRL+ALT+ESC
AST CTRL+ALT+ESC, CTRL+ALT+DEL
Compaq 8700 F10
CompUSA DEL
Cybermax ESC
Dell Reset button (press twice)
Dell 400 F3
Dell 400 F1
Dell Dimension F2 or DEL
Dell Inspiron F2
Dell Latitude Fn+F1 (while booted)
Dell Latitude F2 (on boot)
Dell Optiplex DEL
Dell Optiplex F2
Dell Precision F2
eMachine DEL or TAB
Gateway 2000 1440 F1
Gateway 2000 Solo F2
HP (Hewlett-Packard) F1, F2
IBM F1
IBM E-pro Laptop F2
IBM PS/2 CTRL+ALT+INS after CTRL+ALT+DEL
IBM Thinkpad (newer) Windows: Programs-Thinkpad CFG.
Intel Tangent DEL
Micron F1, F2, or DEL
NEC F2
Olivetti Ctrl-Alt-Shift with Del (on number pad)
Packard Bell F1, F2, DEL
Sony VIAO F2
Sony VIAO F3
Tandon Ctrl-Shift-Esc or Ctrl-Alt-Esc
Tiger DEL
Toshiba 335 CDS ESC
Toshiba Protege ESC
Toshiba Satellite 205 CDS F1
Toshiba Tecra F1 or ESC
Zenith Ctrl-Alt-Ins
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You mean the LBA or the F2?

 

No sorry the F2

And it's a Dell Latitude and I have tried F2 and F1...........er.... sorry but what is Fn???....

Thanks for your time too... you should be paid to do this stuff...

 

Dell Latitude is F2, Restart or Power Up, as soon as you do just start tapping on the F2 Key.

 

Function key

 

I tapped F2 until the cows came home but all it did was go to the C prompt.....

I am at a loss.............

At the beginning when I turn on comp it comes up
DELL
Latitude CP M233ST
(a moving bar thingie which shows the progress of the boot up)
Bios Revision A09
Then it flashes Win98 light blu screen then goes to C prompt... then that's it.....

HELP ME....er.. please???

 

when that bar is filling up, take a look around the screen, it has to say what to press to go into setup...aka bios.

 

If your screen flashes too fast to read, hit the "Pause/Break" key on ya keyboard, the "enter" to continue boot.


Kinda Strange ya cant enter bios, I wounder?????, Here I'm thinking out load, remove the HDD & try, but it shouldnt matter.

Another way, (Not really recommended) might force entry to BIOS, remove battery, power up laptop via electic cord, then when laptop is running yank the cord, then reboot & pay attention to screen & tap F2/F1 key.

 

Thanks everyone for you help......

You guys are awesome.......

No luck with anything you all said so going to get new HD ..........

Cheers and thanks again


XOXO