Can't enter BIOS

[Phew]

I was playing with my memory settings, and apparently I chose timings that my memory couldn't handle, so my computer locked during boot. I wanted to go back into the BIOS to put the memory settings back to normal, but when I pressed delete during POST, instead of going to the BIOS, it goes to a blank screen with a blinking cursor and hangs.

I cleared the CMOS, and the computer booted into Windows fine. I rebooted again and tried to get into the BIOS, but it hung on the blank screen with a blinking cursor again. I reflashed the BIOS, but it still has the same problem. Again, I can boot into Windows just fine.

Some other threads on here suggested fixing BIOS problems by disconnecting USB input devices and using a PS2 keyboard to load the defaults in the BIOS. I don't have a PS2 keyboard anymore, but if this is my only solution, I will borrow one from work. Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Thanks

DFI NF4 Ultra-D
2x512 Patriot LLK
Opteron 170
Raptor 74 gb

 

[Phew]

Bueller?

 

[Wentelteefje]

Seems very strange to me, but maybe a PS/2 keyboard might work... At least you can try... Is everything stable in Windows?

 

[nealh]

take out the mobo battery for 10 min or longer(some say overnight)....and then put back in and clear cmos..I bet it will boot

Also I think if you hit the "del" key or something like that on initial boot you can often get into the bios

 

[Phew]

I took out the battery for 9 hours while clearing the CMOS, same problem. I also used a PS2 keyboard for the process.

Any other ideas?

 

[professor1942]

Unplug stuff. Can you get into BIOS if all drives, pci cards etc. are disconnected?

 

[Phew]

UPDATE: I disconnected all IDE, SATA, and PCI devices and ran Memtest, and it passed with no errors. I cleared the CMOS AGAIN, and with no devices connected, I hit delete during the splash screen, and got the same flashing cursor and hung computer.

Having eliminated the memory and all other devices from the list of potential problems, there has to be something wrong with my motherboard.

P.S.-I measured the voltage of the CMOS battery, and it is 3.14V (so fully charged).

 

[fabidovalle]

I am having a problem with my mobo not booting at all so i found this:
You can also hold down the "Insert" key while pressing the power button to boot the machine.
Most boards will reset the BIOS to "Failsafe" default settings.
from this thread: http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=29&threadid=1767891&enterthread=y
Which istill have to try.
Good luck with yours!

 

[HybridSquirrel]

as soon as you turn on the computer hit delete like a ****** mad mother. if that doesnt work try putting in different ram and set to factory defaults(i know clearing cmos does the same but hes having no luck) my board had this prob to and it solved it all

 

[Phew]

Some of the replies indicate that some folks don't understand the problem. So to rehash: If I don't press delete during the splash screen, then the computer boots into Windows normally. If I do press delete, it ***TRIES*** to enter the BIOS, but hangs at a blank screen with a blinking cursor instead. I have:

1. Checked the memory with Memtest-no errors
2. Checked general system stability with 8 hours of Prime-no errors
3. Cleared the CMOS multiple times
4. Reflashed the BIOS multiple times
5. Checked the CMOS battery voltage-within spec
6. Removed all PCI, SATA, and IDE devices-no differences
7. Used only one stick of RAM, in different slots
8. Set the 'Safe Boot' jumper-no difference

I am now thinking that the CMOS chip is somehow damaged.

 

[JustStarting]

Pull the power cord. Clear the CMOS and then get ready to boot up. Hold the insert key before you boot up (and untill while booting) and it has gotten me in every time. Should take you right into the bios screen.

 

[Elmo Grub]

Did this ever get resolved? I know it's an ancient post but I'm having exactly the same problem accessing BIOS settings on a GA-MA790xt-ud4p, after updating some of the hardware including memory modules, and am running the latest BIOS (I've tried all versions - I was running F2 and that was fine but you can't get it anymore).

 

[nerp]

Dumb question, does this have a UEFI bios? Does Gigabyte offer a utility for the board? The reason I ask is becuase mine came with a disc of tools including one that offers the chance to reboot into the BIOS from Windows.