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How to access the BIOS on an old Dell desktop?
Hello,
Someone gave me an old Dell. When I tried to start it, the BIOS required a password, which I didn't know. The usual backdoor passwords didn't get any resuults, so I removed and replaced the CMOS battery. That got me past the password, but now the BIOS has forgotten everything else it's supposed to do, also. How do I get into the setup, so as to start using the machine? It's looking for something particular (details below); what do I tell it? I've pressed Del, F2, Esc, and a lot of other keys, trying to enter the setup. Nothing happens. Following is the relevant information from the startup screen. = = = = = = PhoenixBIOS 4.0 Release 6.0 4S4EB2X0.10A.0032.P10 Dell Dimension XPS T800r BIOS Version A09 SERIAL PRESENCE DETECT (SPD) device data missing or inconclusive. Press Del to enter SETUP. = = = = = = (Please don't tell me just to get a new computer. That's not the question.) Thank you! Ted Shoemaker |
How to access the BIOS on an old Dell desktop?
Well the Del key would appear to be the correct key to press, as you see
the "Press Del to enter SETUP" on-screen report. However, it may be that the keyboard is not responding due to the "SERIAL PRESENCE DETECT (SPD) device data missing or inconclusive" report. But, this is probably NOT a keyboard issue but rather a memory issue - faulty, loose, dislodged or dirty contacts of the memory modules (SIMMS etc) Might be worth re-seating or cleaning memory's contacts. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_presence_detect or http://www.simmtester.com/page/news/...ws.asp?num=101 and/or Google for "SERIAL PRESENCE DETECT" Mart wrote in message ... Hello, Someone gave me an old Dell. When I tried to start it, the BIOS required a password, which I didn't know. The usual backdoor passwords didn't get any resuults, so I removed and replaced the CMOS battery. That got me past the password, but now the BIOS has forgotten everything else it's supposed to do, also. How do I get into the setup, so as to start using the machine? It's looking for something particular (details below); what do I tell it? I've pressed Del, F2, Esc, and a lot of other keys, trying to enter the setup. Nothing happens. Following is the relevant information from the startup screen. = = = = = = PhoenixBIOS 4.0 Release 6.0 4S4EB2X0.10A.0032.P10 Dell Dimension XPS T800r BIOS Version A09 SERIAL PRESENCE DETECT (SPD) device data missing or inconclusive. Press Del to enter SETUP. = = = = = = (Please don't tell me just to get a new computer. That's not the question.) Thank you! Ted Shoemaker |
How to access the BIOS on an old Dell desktop?
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How to access the BIOS on an old Dell desktop?
On 09/11/2010 07:18 PM, Buffalo wrote:
wrote: Hello, Someone gave me an old Dell. When I tried to start it, the BIOS required a password, which I didn't know. The usual backdoor passwords didn't get any resuults, so I removed and replaced the CMOS battery. That got me past the password, but now the BIOS has forgotten everything else it's supposed to do, also. How do I get into the setup, so as to start using the machine? It's looking for something particular (details below); what do I tell it? I've pressedDel,F2,Esc, and a lot of other keys, trying to enter the setup. Nothing happens. Following is the relevant information from the startup screen. = = = = = = PhoenixBIOS 4.0 Release 6.0 4S4EB2X0.10A.0032.P10 Dell Dimension XPS T800r BIOS Version A09 SERIAL PRESENCE DETECT (SPD) device data missing or inconclusive. PressDel to enter SETUP. = = = = = = (Please don't tell me just to get a new computer. That's not the question.) Thank you! Ted Shoemaker The delete key should do it, but if you have a USB keyboard, it won't work. You will need a serial keyboard, I believe. Buffalo Duh I missed the pasrt where the bios message said del yep, get rid of the USB keyboard and use a PS/2 version as to SPD, the ram setting in the bios needs to be changed to match the RAM in the machine...or else it's just plain got the wrong ram in it |
How to access the BIOS on an old Dell desktop?
BIOS has forgotten everything like USB
you need a old keyboard to set you up first #! How to Do A Resetting of Dell Dimension XPS T800R to Boot Windows then the Delete on startup will open the Dell Dimension XPS T800R Setup in setup # !Main Processor Serial Number [Disabled] L2 Cache ECC Support [Auto] System Time: [00.00.15] set to right time it in 24 hour,, for (00:00:00 to 11:59:59 is AM) & (12:00:00 to 23:59:59 is PM) System Date: [09/12/2010] # !Advanced Plug & Play O/S: [Yes] Reset Configuration Data: [No] NumLock: [Auto] Peripheral Configuration IDE Configuration Diskette Options DMI Event Logging Resource Configuration # !Do Resource Configuration first # !Do Peripheral Configuration Serial Port A: [Enabled] Base I/O address: [COM 1] Interrupt: [IRQ 4] Parallel Port: [Auto] Mode: [Output Only] Legacy USB Support: [Enabled] ## !Now that USB Keyboard will work LOOL ## Esc #! Press Esc to Exit Menu # !Do IDE Configuration IDE Controller: [Both] Primary IDE Master [Auto] Primary IDE Slave [Auto] Secondary IDE Master [Auto] Secondary IDE Slave [Auto] ## ! you can set all to Auto here. ## If it say [None] click it and set it to ## Type: [Auto] ## Press Esc to Exit Menu IDE Configuration Press Esc to Exit Menu # !Do Diskette Options Diskette Controller: [Enabled] Diskette A: [1.44/1.25 MB 3 1/2"] Diskette Write Protect: [Disabled] Press Esc to Exit Menu #! on Manu at top click Boot Boot-time Diagnostic Screen [Enabled] QuickBoot Mode: [Disabled] Restore On AC/Power Loss: [Stay off] On LAN: [Stay off] First Boot Device [Removable Devices] Second Boot Device [ATAPI CD-ROM Driv] Third Boot Device [Hard Drive] Fourth Boot Device [Network Boot] Hard Drive Removable Devices # ! We do Hard Drive #! The Bootable Add-in Card have to be on 1. and Primary IDE Master Hard Drive on 2. 1. [Bootable Add-in Card] 2.[] 3.[] #! My is 2.[WDC WD-200AB-00CM0-{PM}] your name of your Primary IDE Master not the some #! My is 3.[ST320011A-{PS}] your name of your Primary IDE Slave if you have one #! Yours may look like this and its OK 1. [Bootable Add-in Card] 2.[] #! Read the Item Specific Help on the right side of page #! Press Esc to Exit Menu # ! We do Removable Devices 1.[Legacy Floppy Drives] #! Press Esc to Exit Menu #! Now on the top Menu Click Exit #! A POP-UP Setup Confirmation Save configuration changes and exit now? [Yes] Enter Accept #! When you see the Dell logo on the right side #! Power off #! unplug that old Keyboard and Plug that USB KeyBoard #`! Power ON Test is BY doing {{{ Ctrl - Delete }}} if it ReBoots you good to go |
How to access the BIOS on an old Dell desktop?
wrote in message
... Hello, Someone gave me an old Dell. When I tried to start it, the BIOS required a password, which I didn't know. The usual backdoor passwords didn't get any resuults, so I removed and replaced the CMOS battery. That got me past the password, but now the BIOS has forgotten everything else it's supposed to do, also. How do I get into the setup, so as to start using the machine? It's looking for something particular (details below); what do I tell it? I've pressed Del, F2, Esc, and a lot of other keys, trying to enter the setup. Nothing happens. Following is the relevant information from the startup screen. = = = = = = PhoenixBIOS 4.0 Release 6.0 4S4EB2X0.10A.0032.P10 Dell Dimension XPS T800r BIOS Version A09 SERIAL PRESENCE DETECT (SPD) device data missing or inconclusive. Press Del to enter SETUP. = = = = = = (Please don't tell me just to get a new computer. That's not the question.) Thank you! Ted Shoemaker Have you tried the debug routine? O 70 FF O 71 17 Q You were unclear about what the computer *was* doing, many BIOSes will automatically enter the CMOS Setup program if the checksum is invalidated.http://www.wimsbios.com/faq/clearbioswithdebug.jsp |
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