----- Original Message -----
From: "DHSinclair" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Hardware Group" <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2007 11:00 PM
Subject: [H] Dell Help
I know how we all really like Dell, but I have a Dell POS that I need to
view BIOS.
I've tried the DEL key, the F2 key, and the F10 key.
How does one get to Dell bios? Maybe the HOME key?
Also can not get Win-ME to give me SAFE Mode either. Is it possible?
I have formatted and clean installed on many of those 4100's. As with most
any computer, holding the proper key (F8 or F10 for lots of Compaqs and
often F1 for HP's, but Delete for Dell) does not work but repeatedly tapping
it works. As others mentioned, start tapping as soon as you hit the Power
Switch. Nobody knows when the correct time to hit the proper key is, thus
the reason for the tapping. Often the P.O.S.T. screen will tell you which
key to hit. This is the perfect time if you see this.
As for Safe Mode, yes it will go there. I have not seen a computer that
would not allow Safe Mode. Again, we do not know the timing on hitting the
F8 key. We do know it is sometime past P.O.S.T. but before the GUI shows up
(the black background screen that has the version of Windows in bright color
graphics).
Here is a tip for the rookie technicians. When diagnosing a computer I first
gather and write down lots of information about it. I write down the Make,
Model and type of CPU as shown on the front. I record the version of Windows
and Product Key as shown on the COA. I open the case and write down the
wattage of its power supply and the MB and speed of its RAM. I go into the
BIOS and glean valuable information there, such as the hard drive make and
model etc. While there I correct any settings that the computer manufacturer
did not set correctly. Example: I enable S.M.A.R.T. so it can tell the
customer if the hard drive starts going bad.
I boot into Safe Mode so I can get around in Windows without the speed being
slowed down to a crawl by the loading of devices and crapware. While in Safe
Mode I back up the customer's important data to an external hard drive. I go
into Device Manager and write down the type of video, modem, NIC and audio
so I will know what I need drivers for when I do a clean install. What if
this is not a format and reinstall job? I write it down anyway. The next
time the computer comes in, Windows may not be bootable.
Yes, I keep good records. If you get a computer in that will not load
Windows and you do not know what drivers you need for a clean install, email
me the Make and Model Number of the computer. Most likely I have worked on
the same model and can tell you what video. modem, NIC and audio is has.
Usually the internal modem is as simple as pulling the modem card to look.
It is the onboard video, NIC and audio that you may not know about. It seems
that 99% of audio nowadays is AC '97 or SoundMax (Seems like they are both
the same.)
"Dell POS" Is that one word or two? Back in the days of southern pride kids
were grown before they found out that damn yankee was two words. Now Dell
and POS are one word for people who really know computers.
Chuck
