BIOS Magic Keys

[BigBlue66]

Hey,

On my son's old POS 486, the "hit del if you want to run setup" option is no longer there when booting up.

How do I get into the bios of an old FIC 486 motherboard? I know I could do some research and maybe find the answer, but was hoping one of you would know it off the top of your head.

Or, would unplugging the keyboard work?

Cheers,

Big Blue 66

[Paleo Pete]

Was it ever there?

And did you ever find a manual for the beast? The manual should have it. I would doubt that a 486 would require a setup disk, but I suppose it's possible.

You might try clearing CMOS, that might do the trick.

Other keys to try:
[F1]
[F2]
[F10]
[Esc]
[Ctrl] [S]
[Ctrl] [Alt] [+]
[Ctrl] [Alt] [Enter]
[Ctrl] [Alt] [S]

Unplugging the keyboard might work, but then how would you change settings?

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Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)

[BigBlue66]

Hey Pete,

Thanks for the reply. I will try those out. However, it suddenly dawned on me that I used DDO software for the 848mb drive, thinking that the old as dirt bios would not support anything higher than 504 or is it 540mb? Anyway, that surely is the cause of the conflict, because yes, it was there before.

How do I uninstall the DDO software? Or do I have to start over? That I am not opposed to, since I am only as far as loading the OS. Do I need the DDO s/w in the first place? I was just trying to be careful I guess, but may have unnecessarily limited myself.

Ideas? Opinions?

Tanks a rot.

Cheers,

BB 66

[Reid]

If you have the software disk, it should have an uninstall routine. Another option is to use debug with this Clear Partition Script (http://www.firmware.com/support/bios/hdclear.htm).

That system probably has a 540M limitation without the overlay software.

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reido@my-deja.com

Friends don't let friends install Windows ME

[BigBlue66]

Thanks Reid. Yes, I do have the setup disk, and I think you're right about the uninstall feature.

However, as long as I need the DDO to overcome the barrier, guess I will leave it alone for now. Ain't broke.

If I ever need to get into the bios, at least I know that I can now.

Thanks everybody.

Cheers,

BB 66