Win98banter - View Single Post - How to access the BIOS on an old Dell desktop?

**philo[_31_]** · September 12th 10, 01:23 AM posted to microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion

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