Accessing the CMOS/BIOS Setup

Almost all new 'clone' systems today allow you to enter the CMOS/BIOS by either pressing the 'Delete' or 'F1' key.  You will be prompted when first turning on or booting up the computer for the proper key to enter.

Compaq: Generally Compaq Setup can be entered by hitting the 'F10' key when booting up. As soon as you see the cursor go to the upper right hand side of the screen, hit 'F10'.  Compaq setup program resides on a small partition on the hard drive and if you have fdisked and reformatted or installed a new hard drive you will need to use the Compaq setup program from here: Compaq Setup Download.

Dell: Older Dells (486 models) require you to enter the sequence: CTRL-ALT-ENTER.

Hewlett Packard: Pentium Systems: Hold down the F1 key upon startup/bootup.

IBM Thinkpads: Thinkpads using IBM BIOS (Early Models): Press CTRL-ALT-INS when cursor is in upper-right corner of screen. Thinkpads using IBM BIOS (Later Models): Press and hold F1 key while powering-up laptop. Thinkpads using Phoenix BIOS: Press CTRL-ALT-F11 from DOS prompt.

Packard Bell: Early models (386,486) require the sequence Ctrl-ALT-S at any time.

NEC Versa Notebooks: Hold down the F1 key upon startup/bootup.

AST: Many AST 486's require CTRL-ALT-ESC.

Older models that require setup programs include: AST AT&T 6300 Compaq Epson Grid IBM XT/AT/PS2 NEC Tandy Zenith You can download them from here:  CMOS/BIOS Setup Programs

Other common key sequences to enter the BIOS CTRL-ALT-S CTRL-ALT-Enter CTRL-ALT-Insert CTRL-ALT-Esc F1 F10