This is my first post and any help will be greatly appreciated with my problem! I recently formatted my hard drive (WDC 40 gig) to install a fresh copy of windows xp. However, my BIOS boot sequence seems to be set to load OS first, then check cd drives or A drives. This seems like a quick fix, just hit f1 on startup and enter bios setup and change the boot sequence. But when I hit f1, the screen goes to an all black screen with a blinking prompt at the top and the comp doesn't respond. So, I can't enter bios to change the boot sequence. I have the xp cd in the cd drive, but I get the error " error loading OS " when the comp boots up with no operating system. I tried installing the OS onto the same WDC hard drive via another comp (Compaq presario 5010us), and load the hard drive back into the pavilion, but then a blue screen appears after the POST saying there is a problem-check the drive for viruses, uninstall any newly installed hard drives, etc. I think that windows must install on the HP to work on the HP because of the specific drivers being loaded during windows setup and all that. So, I need to get into the bios somehow! Any help I need it thanks!

Did you try hitting the F1 key more than once, or holding it down as soon as you start the computer?

Also, does the startup screen indicate which key to press to enter CMOS/BIOS?

Yes, the system instructs me to hit the F1 key to enter setup, but when I hit the f1 key, the next screen does not enter setup or continues loading windows-a blank screen appears with a blinking prompt at the top and the system doesn't respond and I have to restart. I was wondering if the default settings for the bios instruct the system to read the cd rom drive first. If so I may try removing the cmos battery or whatever that deal is all about in hopes of reading the cd drive before the OS. any suggestions (or details about how to do the cmos battery deal) are appreciated thanks!!

The Component ID Thread (http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?t=25502) should help you find the CMOS battery, it's a good idea to check the motherboard first and see if you can find a jumper that will clear CMOS for you instead, that's the preferred method. Some are marked, some are not and there's no telling what the markings will be so I can't tell you specifically what to look for, different manufacturers mark them differently and place them in different locations. I sure wish there were standards for some of this stuff...

You can also try holding down the [Esc] key while booting, it might give you a keyboard error and let you choose whether to continue booting or press a certain key to get into BIOS. (probably F1 ) You might also be able to boot to a Win98 start up disk on floppy and get setup to run from there by navigating to the CD ROM, i386 folder, maybe some of the other folks here have done that and will be able to provide some specifics.

I found out how to install windows xp on the comp by loading the 6 xp startup floppy disks instead of loading via the cd. But, the HP still will not enter bios or setup...but I don't need to worry about that now!

you can get into the BIOS by holding down the F11 button while start the pc starts up, it will take u to the advanced BIOS settings, try it, or else when ur pc is booting up keep on tapping the escape button, this will give you the option to select the boot device, but its only one time :)