No Access to BIOS

[Paul Verlaine]

I am having trouble accessing BIOS. I used to press "delete" and could get in but now I press it and it just starts up in XP. After start up it is normal. I changed the PSU on the computer and the fan on the graphics card but do not see how this could effect getting in to BIOS. Motherboard is Asus P5LD2. Any ideas anyone. Thanks

[PrntRhd]

Try resetting BIOS to default by removing the CMOS battery, then push the On button and wait 20 minutes before powering it back up. This may be a good time to replace that CMOS battery since it is cheap and you are there already.

[Paul Verlaine]

Thanks for the suggestion. I tried it but still locked out.

[Sylvander]

Is it possible that a BIOS configuration setting is unsuitable for the hardware connected?

Just a few days back ErnieK had the identical situation to yours.
He had gone into his BIOS Setup and changed the his "video card type" setting from PCIe to PCI, when he had a PCIe video card in place.
After he clicked "Save and Exit Setup" and the PC recontinued Startup, he was unable to enter the BIOS Setup....
So he fitted a PCI video card, was then able to enter the BIOS Setup, changed the setting back to PCIe, "Save and Exit Setup", and when the PC recontinued Startup again, this time he was able to enter setup with or without the PCI video card in place.

So your default BIOS configuration settings need to match the hardware.

[Paul Verlaine]

Thanks Sylvander, that's interesting. I removed and replaced the video card as I changed its fan but I did not change anything in the BIOS but something has triggered this. I wonder if anyone has idea if this could be related to problem?????

[Sylvander]

"I did not change anything in the BIOS but something has triggered this"
What if the following happened?
1. Your CMOS battery is beginning to go faulty and the BIOS configuration settings were altering on their own.

2. You removed and replaced the battery which reset the BIOS's configuration settings to the defaults.
If you're lucky they will stay where they are put: if not they will begin to drift again.

3. Even if they stay at the defaults, those defaults may not match the BIOS configuration requirements of the hardware now connected.

[Paul Verlaine]

I don't think there is a conflict between the BIOS default settings and the hardware, I have not changed anything but maybe taking out and replacing the graphic card did something. Even if there is, I still have the problem of how to get into the BIOS anyway. :confused:

[mjc]

OK...an old trick that can still work...press down and hold a key on the keyboard and THEN hit the power button to turn on the computer...usually, a stuck key error will result and you will be given an option to enter setup or continue (usually F1 and F2).

If that doesn't work...then what kind of keyboard are you using? If it is a USB keyboard (or wireless of some kind) try a PS/2 keyboard.

[Whyzman]

Tricky tricky...;)

[Paul Verlaine]

I tried swapping keyboards and holding down keys but made no difference.

[Whyzman]

I would then suggest doing a barebones boot. Remove everything but the keyboard, monitor, RAM, Video card (if onboard video, remove the card) and see if you can get into the BIOS/Setup...

After removing, clear the CMOS once again then then try to boot...

[mjc]

If it didn't give a stuck key error...then it seems to be ignoring the keyboard until after POST.

[Paul Verlaine]

I tried everything suggested but still got the problem. There are jumpers on the Mobo to clear the CMOS but as everything is working fine I don't think it's worth the risk so I am going to live with it and wait for a less radical solution. Thanks for the ideas anyway everyone.

[Whyzman]

I suppose you could just let things be as they are. Call me a "control freak," but I like to "own" my system... :D Being able to get BIOS/setup access might not be meaningful at this juncture since, as you say, "everything is working fine." However, if you need to change the boot order for some reason or enable a BIOS option...

Resetting the CMOS simply puts everthing back to the default settings. The defaults will 99% of the time allow a system to boot...which is where you're at now... It's not as "radical" a solution/move as you are setting forth...

If your system is under warranty, I would suggest getting this fixed as I would deem BIOS access a necessity...

Was there ever a time when you did have access?

[Paul Verlaine]

Thanks Whyzman. Yes, it was working fine. Then I changed the PSU and the fan on the graphics card and then it didn't. The Mobo manual says ""except when clearing RTC RAM, never remove the cap on the CLRTC jumper default position. Removing the cap will cause system boot failure!" That sort of put me off, their exclamation mark. Maybe I am being overcautious. It should still be under warranty, I will check with supplier.

[Whyzman]

Once the CMOS is cleared (following manual directions) then the jumpers are replaced to the RUN position.

Why was there a need to replace the PSU?

[Paul Verlaine]

I replaced the PSU becuase it made a sound like a jet taking off..that's all.

[Whyzman]

Hehe...Ah, one of those things! :rolleyes:

Just curious if there was some kind of backlash from a failing PSU that might have damaged the motherboard...

If for some reason the system failed to boot up and you needed to use an emergency boot disk, you'd be out of luck if you couldn't get into setup and change the boot order to other than the harddrive...

[Paul Verlaine]

I found out what the problem was. I had to plug the printer into a USB that was connected directly to the motherboard. I had changed the USB when I changed the PSU etc. mjc was right, it was ignoring the keyboard till after POST.