Resolved Starting the BIOS At Bootup is only thing

Starting the BIOS is the only thing that is on the Screen at Bootup. It is also almost filling the Screen. The only thing to start it is press F10. It takes me only to the BIOS. All of the other start buttons are missing and that keeps me from starting anything else. Everything that was there before now is missing.

 

Hi wahlroot, could you please clarify your post a little, for example what happens if you don't press F10?

 

Is it a laptop or desktop, and what's the make and model?

How old is it?

When was the last time it was running successfully?

 

Wait and do not press F10 and Boot continues to the Desktop.

 

It is a Desktop, about a year old. HP Pavilion Model p6557c. I have been in and out of here lately and other people have been using the Computer. I noticed the problem about the last week. When the unit gets to the desktop, everything works fine.

 

OK, from what I can gather you're saying that if you leave the system to boot normally it boots to the desktop but there are no icons. Correct?

wahlroot, no offense but you do need to be more descriptive with your posts, please remember that we cannot see what you are seeing.

 

When the Desktop comes up, the Desktop Icons are there, and the Computer is ready for use.

 

OK, you'll need to describe the initial problem a little more clearer then.

What exactly is the difference between these problem boots and your previous normal boots?

 

At normal Boot I think I get 4 things to get to 4 places. I do not remember what they are. I kind of remember one of them is F8. I do not get F8 at normal or when I press F10. I do not remember the name of what F8 is used for.

 

There are no error messages. After 5 seconds the page is gone. The only thing I can read is Phoenix BIOS then the Boot continues to the Desktop.

 

OK, This is a BIOS Setting and IMHO best left alone, there's nothing wrong with your computer.

 

OK, I give up. I guess I will have to live with it.

 

Somehow I get the idea the Timeout in Boot.Ini has been set to 0 (zero), so you do not get choices such as Microsoft Windows XP Home/Professional Edition, Safe Mode, or Microsoft Windows Recovery Console appear on the screen, it just boots to the desktop.
Nothing wrong with that.

 

Mark, after re-reading the thread your suggestion is more plausible in which case it's not a BIOS setting.

I was basing my post on either a BIOS splash screen or the (previous more normal) POST results.

Either way though, the system is fine and it's best not to mess with either boot.ini or BIOS settings unless there is a real need.

 

Now I remember, Press F8 did get me into Safe Mode. Not now. I Open Msconfig to System Configuration then Boot, then Pick Safe boot, and Reboot, and this gets me into Safe Mode. To get me out of Safe Mode I must uncheck Safe boot in System Configuration before a Reboot. If I cannot Bootup the Computer then I do not think I can get into Msconfig or System Configuration Boot. So it seems I have lost Safe Mode.

 

Try pressing F8 (tap away) when your BIOS flash screen is showing.

 

Tap F8, and Safe Mode never happens. Bootup happens.

 

You are missing it probably. I have seen some machines, where this was a PITA to do. Others no problem.
While you are at it, go to User CP near the top left and fill our you system specs. Don't forget to save them.

 

markp62! I found Boot Timeout was set to 0. I changed it to 30 and now tap F8 after BIOS notice is gone and get to Safe Mode.