How to get into BIOS?

  • Thread starter Thread starter hzpurple
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hzpurple

I have rebooted (Win XP on a Toshiba laptop) hit F8 to take me to a
screen of selections (Start in safe mode, troubleshooting mode, etc.)
all of which, when selected, just start XP in the appropriate mode. I
need to get into BIOS (I think) to change the setting corresponding to
the largest any drive can be (particularly a 320gb external drive). I
can’t seem to get to the right place.

The chore I’m trying to accomplish is to have my computer recognize
this new, huge external drive without unplugging/plugging everytime I
start up.
 
hzpurple said:
I have rebooted (Win XP on a Toshiba laptop) hit F8 to take me to a
screen of selections (Start in safe mode, troubleshooting mode, etc.)
all of which, when selected, just start XP in the appropriate mode. I
need to get into BIOS (I think) to change the setting corresponding to
the largest any drive can be (particularly a 320gb external drive). I
can't seem to get to the right place.

The chore I'm trying to accomplish is to have my computer recognize
this new, huge external drive without unplugging/plugging everytime I
start up.
Click to expand...

Ive never known a bios option for changing the size of hard drive that a
motherboard can recognize - for a motherboard to recognize a larger HDD
usually requires a bios update.
 
hzpurple said:
I have rebooted (Win XP on a Toshiba laptop) hit F8 to take me to a
screen of selections (Start in safe mode, troubleshooting mode, etc.)
all of which, when selected, just start XP in the appropriate mode. I
need to get into BIOS (I think) to change the setting corresponding to
the largest any drive can be (particularly a 320gb external drive). I
can’t seem to get to the right place.

The chore I’m trying to accomplish is to have my computer recognize
this new, huge external drive without unplugging/plugging everytime I
start up.
Click to expand...
Here's a list ...

BIOS access at boot:

Delete: AMI or Award BIOS.
Esc: Toshiba
F1: Toshiba; Phoenix; some IBM PS/1 models.
F10: Compaq.
F2: NEC.
Insert: IBM PS/2.
Tab: eMachines.
Reset button (press twice): Some old Dells.
Ctrl-Alt-+: Various computers.
Ctrl-Alt-?: Some old IBM PS/2 models.
Ctrl-Alt-Enter: Some Dells, others.
Ctrl-Alt-Esc: AST, Tandon, others.
Ctrl-Alt-Ins: Zenith PCs, Phoenix BIOS.
Ctrl-Alt-S: Phoenix BIOS.
Ctrl-Alt-Shift with Del (on number pad): Olivetti.
Ctrl-Esc: Many PCs.
Ctrl-Ins: Some IBM PS/2s.
Ctrl-S: Phoenix BIOS.
Ctrl-Shift-Esc: Tandon
 
hzpurple said:
I have rebooted (Win XP on a Toshiba laptop) hit F8 to take me to a
screen of selections (Start in safe mode, troubleshooting mode, etc.)
all of which, when selected, just start XP in the appropriate mode. I
need to get into BIOS (I think) to change the setting corresponding to
the largest any drive can be (particularly a 320gb external drive). I
can't seem to get to the right place.

The chore I'm trying to accomplish is to have my computer recognize
this new, huge external drive without unplugging/plugging everytime I
start up.
Click to expand...

Usually there will be a black and white screen right after you turn on the
computer. Somewhere on that screen should be something that says which key
to press to get into the BIOS. On my computers it's the Del key. On others
it may be the ESC key or even a function key (but probably not F8).
 
Unfortunately you probably won't see the prompt because the power saving "feature" of the monitor will keep the screen from coming on in time unless there is some delay in the BIOS e.g. memory test enabled.
 
Mike Walsh said:
Unfortunately you probably won't see the prompt because the power saving
"feature" of the monitor will keep the screen from coming on in time
unless there is some delay in the BIOS e.g. memory test enabled.
Click to expand...


On my computer, the monitor wakes from sleep pretty much right after I turn
the computer on, as soon as there's any kind of video signal.
 
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