BIOS problems

[giuly15]

hey guys...i have a question for u if
recently i wanted to install windows xp to friend computer...and when i put the cd in its not working to boot from it because the primary boot device is floppy...ok...i went in bios utility setup to change that into cdrom....but surprise....there is nothing active....i mean i cannot change anything there, i cannot modify...because are like some innactive buttons/options...i see everything there, i see the floppy as a primary device....but i cannot do anything about it
if u have any suggestion,,,,please tell me...cuz i dont know
ps: is phoenix award bios....if that helps...

[w31n3r]

probably the bios is password protected. you can reset it using the cmos jumper. refer the motherboard manual to find the cmos jumper. if you don't have it, google the model number and search for its manual. quick way out is to directly look for it, most mobos have it clearly marked. look for "cmos", "clrcmos", or "RTC" marked next to jumper pins.

if you're having trouble, post the model here.

EDIT: This link might be of some help

[w31n3r]

**EDIT double post** accidentally posted twice, my connection sucks today :(

EDIT2: most newer mobos allow you to change the boot priority for the current session without getting into bios. try hitting F8 while booting. ideally you should get a list of devices to boot from. worth a try, but you have to be quick.

[giuly15]

probably the bios is password protected. you can reset it using the cmos jumper. refer the motherboard manual to find the cmos jumper. if you don't have it, google the model number and search for its manual. quick way out is to directly look for it, most mobos have it clearly marked. look for "cmos", "clrcmos", or "RTC" marked next to jumper pins.

if you're having trouble, post the model here.

well....when i open bios is asking for a password....but i know it because is the same like the password required opening the windows...only that i can acces windows without typing it, just skipping that request with the admin name and password...i dont know if are having a connection or not....or maybe there were some settings before that i dont know about
and one more thing....i saw that are 2 users....as in the admin and the guest,but i dont think its a problem that...right?

[w31n3r]

the bios password is in NO way related to your windows account. let me get this straight, are you asked for a password while entering bios?

[giuly15]

well....when i open bios is asking for a password....but i know it because is the same like the password required opening the windows...only that i can acces windows without typing it, just skipping that request with the admin name and password...i dont know if are having a connection or not....or maybe there were some settings before that i dont know about
and one more thing....i saw that are 2 users....as in the admin and the guest,but i dont think its a problem that...right?

ps: i tryed all the F's at the begging....before to know what is the problem....in fact i was trying to find a key to bood windows from cd....and only then i realised that cdrom is not the primary device.....so...any F i tryed doest do anything....
at home i cand do it...but not on that comp

[giuly15]

yup....im asked for a password while entering bios....and seems to be the same that my friend set for windows at the beggining

[w31n3r]

so, you have the password, problem solved?

[giuly15]

so, you have the password, problem solved?

:)...seems to be NOT...because after typing the password i get bios...but the problem is in the advanced bios features....where i cannot modify anything....everything is inactive there....or maybe i cannot say that very good in english (wich is not so good)....and i dont want u to undarstand that all the features there have the properties set to DISABLED...is just that i cannot use the keys up/down or something else there....i dont have acces to change something

[w31n3r]

ok, so the password you have is read only, meaning that you don't have permission to make changes. go through my first post here, theres your solution. the only drawback is, you'll have to open the case, and if you're a newbie, you might screw up something else :D

oh well, we all have to learn sometime :)...keep us updated.

[1cooldude]

what type of a motherboard do you have (brand/model)? locating a CMOS jumper may not be that easy for a novice and I'd say he/she may not have the mobo manual available. Find the brand>model of the board and then access the mobo's manufacturer's support page. There is a another way by removing CMOS battery on the mobo but for a novice I would not suggest to follow that path. Resetting the CMOS with a jumper is your safest method.

[mountain_rage]

You are also assuming its a desktop and not a laptop. Now I've never reset the cmos of a laptop, but I assume its not a matter of flicking a jumper, but rather some key combination. So lets see what the individual has to say when he comes back because we really need more info here.

[1cooldude]

You are also assuming its a desktop and not a laptop. Now I've never reset the cmos of a laptop, but I assume its not a matter of flicking a jumper, but rather some key combination. So lets see what the individual has to say when he comes back because we really need more info here.

granted m_r; we stand corrected on that assumption. Resetting laptop CMOS is a lot more involved to the point one may have to re-flash a new BIOS including a replacement of CMOS chip. I've just done an IBM Lenovo T60 with the above work as there were no other options pertainng to this model.