I know this isn't directly Linux-related, but it is an issue that's keeping me from installing Linux.

Basically, I have no floppy drive installed in my system (purposely left it out because I think floppies are obsolete)--just a CD-ROM, CD-RW, and hard drive. I have my BIOS set to use the hard drive as the primary boot device; thus, it boots immediately into the OS. I'm trying to boot a RedHat 9 CD, which means that I need to set the BIOS to boot from the CD but I can't get into my BIOS setup utility!

During the POST, while the memory is being tested, I can see the line that says "Hit <DEL> to enter the setup utility". I can hit the DEL key as many times as I want, but it just acts like I've done nothing. I'm trying to think of why this might be. One guess is that my motherboard has no PS/2 connectors on it--just USB. I'm wondering if the USB controller doesn't initiate until after point in time when I can hit DEL. In fact, I've noticed that the caps, scroll, and num lock lights on my keyboard don't even blink until after the POST. I have no idea how to remedy that.

Another thing that it *might* be is the fact that I've changed my video card. I noticed that, with my new video card, the memory test seems to go much faster than with my old one. Mabye with the new video card it's done with POST before the keyboard wakes up? Unfourtinately, I'm in college now and I don't have access to my old video card, so it's not like I can go back to the old one.

I have absolutely no idea how to get past this. Anyone had this problem before and, if so, would you know how to get past it?

Thanks!

Did you try hitting any of the F keys, F1, F2 instead of del? also the bios can be entered in different ways lik with ctrl-alt-esc. it depends on the motherboard but if yours is showing del then thats it, but try different key strokes anyway. are you hitting it to early or to late cuz i know on mine when i hit it early it does nothing and I doubt that your video card has anything to do with it, its just running faster cuz the card is new.

Thanks for the reply.

However, you're right when you say that the DEL button is it--that's what the BIOS specifically says to press. You're supposed to be able to press it as long as the message to press it is up--which seems to last only as long as the memory test. I typically try hitting it repeatedly during this period, but I still get nothing. I have played with this *numerous* times, hitting the reset button after I've been unsuccessful and trying again after that. I still get nothing.

I really am starting to think it has something to do with the USB controller. I mean, if the lights on the keyboard aren't even coming on until after the POST, how is the computer supposed to be able to respond to keystrokes? I've tried just hitting the caps/num/scroll lock keys during the post, and none of the lights even come on (as if it weren't even getting power yet). I've been told to switch to a PS/2 keyboard, but remember that my board doesn't even have PS/2.

FWIW, I have an A-BIT motherboard. I can't remember the model name exactly, but I know it has onboard Dolby Digital 5.1 audio, USB 2.0, USB 1.2, and firewire ports.

Thanks again.

i would say your 100% correct, i sincerly doubt that the bios can support usb input devices, if you dont have ps/2 ports then i would reccomend you email A-BIT and ask how you are supposed to get into the bios

hmmm... no PS/2? Maybe try connecting over the serial port and see if it allows you to go in that way... It's a wierd one... I've never used a motherboard without a PS/2 port.
Good luck

I wonder if you could edit your boot.ini file so that it boot's you cdrom. I know you can use the windows loader to load linux. But I don't know if this will work.

Well, I had a similar thought. I did try to edit my "grub.conf" to boot the CD-ROM, but I didn't get anywhere. It puts the entry in there, but it says it can't find a disk when I select it.

If there's some way I could get GRUB to deal with this, then I'd be set.

ive been trying to get the chainloader option of grub to load up a file representing a floppy disk image but i cant get it to work. if i were you i would email the grub mailing list and ask if its possible. or just put a floppy disk in the machine.

I might email them... but remember, even if I did have a FDD in the machine, I still won't be able to boot it until I get into my BIOS.

FYI, I just sent off an email to A-Bit today asking about the problem. Hopefully, I'll get a good answer soon...