BIOS Info

BIOS - Basic Input/Output System

The keystroke used to enter BIOS depends on the system. Generally, the keys used are the function keys (F1 - F12) or ESC or DELETE. Often POST will display the proper keystroke on the screen, but you might have to have a quick eye to catch it.

Here are likely some keystrokes to try (according to various sources on the Web). (These have not been verified.)

Other keystrokes to try for various types of computers):

• CTRL-ALT-+
• CTRL-ESC

When you can't figure out the keystroke

You can also google a term like "Gateway bios key" to find pages that might tell you. (It might help to include the computer's model number.) Pages from the manufacturer's web site are the most likely to be accurate.

Some computers will prompt you with the option of entering the BIOS on the first boot after a hardware change. Changing the amount of memory may do this, for example. Disconnecting the hard drive cable from the motherboard is another very useful tactic.

Occasionally you will find a password protected BIOS. In these cases, removing the battery for a minute or two may reset BIOS into a default state, bypassing the password. In the rare cases where there is a default password, these are often available via a google search.

Rare problems

In some systems, if the keyboard and mouse are switched, they will still work in the GUI, but the keyboard will not work to enter BIOS