accessing Setup program

Hi all- In reading the May 2003 issue of PC World, I came across some tips on pgs. 90 & 91, that I would like to implement on my computer. I am running 98SE. Both of the tips require that I enter the PC's Setup program. They refer to pressing a key ( Ctrl, Esc or the like) that is displayed during the bootup before Windows loads to enter Setup. The only prompt that I can see during my bootup is to push Esc to cancel my AVG bootup scan. Can anyone shed some light on this? Thanks much, Clydeo22.

 

You won't get a prompt. Usually you hit the magic key when you see a splash screen (manufacturer's logo or whatever), before windows starts to load.

If you don't get a splash screen, try hitting your chosen key, Esc, F2, F8, etc. about once a second while the machine decides what it's going to do. If Ctrl is what's needed, just hold it down.

 

Sounds to me like you're on a brand name machine like Dell or Compaq or HP and the first thing you see is their logo for a splash screen. You need to hit escape (keep tapping it if necessary) as soon as it come up. Hitting the escape key will get rid of the splash screen so you can see what's happening in the background. Once the splash screen is gone look in the lower left hand corner of the screen and it should tell you what key to hit to enter setup, the most common being Del. Some computers use a different key depending on the manufacturer.

 

Yup- it's a Dell

Thanks for the replies! I don't get a Dell logo, just the DOS type screen as it displays the BIOS information and totals up the memory. I got the thing from my brother-in-law as a welcome to computers gift. Most kind of him. However, I don't have a manual and don't know the proper key to push. I thought that maybe it was a key that was standardized for Windows 98 like F5, Esc, or something. So, it sounds like ESC or DEL would be a good place to start. Anything I should watch out for before I begin? Thanks again. Clydeo

 

I'm pretty sure Dell uses the Del key, once inside the BIOS make a note of any changes you make in case you have to change them back.

Good Luck

 

Still trying.....

Hi Again- I've Ctrl, Esc and Delete but still can't access the PC startup program. Does anyone have any more ideas? Can I try more combinations, e.g. Alt, Ctrl+*? Am I risking something bad happening by experimenting? Thanks again. Clydeo 22.

 

I have 2 Dells sitting here on my bench and both use the DEL key to enter setup.

You have to hit the key while it's doing the memory check, if you wait too long you'll miss it and nothing happens.

 

I found the combo!

Hi- I thought I'd write and let you know what key combination I had to enter to access Setup. It was Ctrl+Alt+Enter. Then I had to hit F2 and finally accessed the setup program! Thanks for all your help and I thought these results might be helpful for someone else. You folks are the greatest! Thanks. Clydeo22.

 

Glad to hear you found your way in.