WTF?!?

[ta8689]

ok so i got a latitude l400 (der its kinda old n slo dont tell me this) and when i go to change boot order, it says "All items on this menu cannot be modified in user mode. If any items require changes, please contact you system Supervisor." This is dumb. It wont boot to hard drive when u turn on the power. it wants removable drives first, and it doesnt go to hdd after that. i have to hit f12 every time to boot to hdd. any way around this crap?

 

[ta8689]

bump

 

[Jiggz]

It sound like you do not have admin access or in the bios supervisor access. Is the bios password'ed? Have you tried setting the bios to default settings? Or maybe clearing the bios using the bios clear jumper?

 

[ta8689]

yes to everything but... what is this bios clear jumper you speak of?

 

[Ricemarine]

Originally posted by: ta8689
yes to everything but... what is this bios clear jumper you speak of?

CMOS? Should be somewhere on the motherboard.

 

[ta8689]

umm...u mean open it up and find it on the motherboard. what does it look like? Hopefuly not on the backside...

 

[apac]

Originally posted by: ta8689
umm...u mean open it up and find it on the motherboard. what does it look like? Hopefuly not on the backside...

If you don't know what a CMOS is, and you're not willing to risk this laptop, I wouldn't do it yourself..

That said, I learned all I know about computers by breaking em! Hell, I took the heatsink off my first Athlon XP2100+ and turned it on cause I wanted to see why the computer wouldn't POST. In retrospect...don't do that .

So go for it!

 

[Jiggz]

You need to access the bios first and see if you can set the bios to default setting. Accessing the bios jumper on laptops is a major evolution. If the bios has a password you should know the password or you will have to ask the manufacturer reset it for you. Most will not reset laptop passwords due to the fact the unit could be someone else's.

 

[Oyeve]

Dead CMOS battery?

 

[ta8689]

the battery is fine I mean it wont let me ge tot it. i dont have access

 

[acole1]

who did you get the laptop from? if you know them, ask them what the password is, go in, and reset it.

otherwise, open it up and clear the bios.

those are your only options.

 

[ta8689]

I dont even see a place to put the password in. I doesnt ask for a pass. It just wont let me get at it.

 

[Oyeve]

Try holding down some keys on the KB and turn on the laptop, maybe itll let you get into the bios after a KB error.

 

[ming0]

Did you get this figured out?

I have the *exact* same problem on a Panasonic R4 that I just bought from someone (it is 3 months old, originally from Dynamism). I have asked everyone (Dynamism, Phoneix, and the original owner), and I can't get a straight answer.

What model is your BIOS?

Mine is PhoenixBIOS V3.00L10