[SOLVED] Can't get into BIOS of old HP compaq computer

Gregg Bell · 04-08-2016, 11:17 PM

It's a HP/compaq 220 MT (DW984A), Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.80GHz, 1.24 RAM that was running XP. (BTW a Malwarebytes product says it will protect XP computers, is this true?) I can't get into the BIOS. F2 gets me into the AMBIOS, whatever that is, and I can't do anything there. F12 gets me into the boot selector but I can't do anything there either.

I feel I need to get into the BIOS to change the boot sequence so the computer will install a new OS.

So, anybody know how to get into its BIOS?

Thanks.

ferrari · 04-09-2016, 12:32 AM

I think you'll find that the computer has American Megatrends Inc BIOS (AMI BIOS) fitted, hence the name. You should be able to set the boot device order via the 'BOOT' menu accessed via the main BIOS page.

http://www.ecomputerz.com/american-megatrends-bios.html

ondoho · 04-09-2016, 01:45 AM

everything sounds normal.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gregg Bell

but I can't do anything there

please elaborate on this.

beachboy2 · 04-09-2016, 02:30 AM

Gregg,

You pressed F2 to access the BIOS.

You should now see something similar to the attached photo.

Use the keyboard arrows to navigate left/right and up/down.

Keep tapping the right arrow key to reach the Boot tab.

Note the instructions on the page (right-hand side) for how to change items.

Carry out the changes to the boot order then press F10 to save them and reboot.

EDIT:
I have attached a second screenshot showing the Boot page of the BIOS.

rokytnji · 04-09-2016, 03:17 AM

http://www.manualslib.com/manual/275...t.html?page=21

I replace the cmos battery myself on older gear I pick up for free.

Quote:

The battery that comes with your computer provides power to the
real-time clock and has a lifetime of about three years.

Is this a MICRO tower or a laptop? A link to your exact computer would have been nice.

Teufel · 04-09-2016, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gregg Bell

...I can't do anything there...I can't do anything there either...

Replace the keyboard, it may help, especially if you use USB KB, replace it with PS/2.
Other option is resetting CMOS (remove battery and switch CLR_CMOS jumper for a minute or so and then put them both back)

beachboy2 · 04-09-2016, 06:11 AM

Gregg,

Is the current time and date being shown on your Compaq PC?

If not, then as rokytnji suggests, replace the CR2032 battery.

Look under the Advanced tab and make sure that the USB keyboard (not PS/2) is enabled.

Malwarebytes Premium (NOT the Free version) will protect Windows OSs against
malware, including ransomware such as CryptoLocker.

https://www.malwarebytes.org/antimalware/

Goodbye to XP:
https://blog.malwarebytes.org/the-ba...erved-us-well/

jefro · 04-09-2016, 05:30 PM

Some older systems don't work well with a usb keyboard.

Gregg Bell · 04-09-2016, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ferrari

I think you'll find that the computer has American Megatrends Inc BIOS (AMI BIOS) fitted, hence the name. You should be able to set the boot device order via the 'BOOT' menu accessed via the main BIOS page.

http://www.ecomputerz.com/american-megatrends-bios.html

Thanks ferrari. That's a great link but when I push the delete key booting up it does nothing. Here is what I get:

Del Does nothing
F2 Does nothing (I was mistaken in my OP)
F8 Windows Advanced Options (screenshot 976)
F9 Boot choice (screenshot 975)
F10 AMBIOS (screenshot 973)

As you can see in the AMBIOS screenshot,there is no way to set the boot device order.

Gregg Bell · 04-09-2016, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ondoho

everything sounds normal.
please elaborate on this.

Yes, it was a sloppy post. My bad. By not being able to do anything I meant not being able to do anything that would allow me to change the boot order. Or like in the 975 screenshot above--it doesn't matter what I choose. Whatever I choose there the computer still boots up to Windows XP.

Gregg Bell · 04-09-2016, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beachboy2

Gregg,

You pressed F2 to access the BIOS.

You should now see something similar to the attached photo.

Use the keyboard arrows to navigate left/right and up/down.

Keep tapping the right arrow key to reach the Boot tab.

Note the instructions on the page (right-hand side) for how to change items.

Carry out the changes to the boot order then press F10 to save them and reboot.

EDIT:
I have attached a second screenshot showing the Boot page of the BIOS.

Thanks beachboy2 but as you'll see in post #9 (screenshot 973) my (AM)BIOS is different.

Gregg Bell · 04-09-2016, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rokytnji

http://www.manualslib.com/manual/275...t.html?page=21

I replace the cmos battery myself on older gear I pick up for free.

Is this a MICRO tower or a laptop? A link to your exact computer would have been nice.

It's a regular tower. I couldn't find a link to the computer. I couldn't find hardly anything at all about it.

Gregg Bell · 04-09-2016, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teufel

Replace the keyboard, it may help, especially if you use USB KB, replace it with PS/2.
Other option is resetting CMOS (remove battery and switch CLR_CMOS jumper for a minute or so and then put them both back)

Thanks Teufel. It's a PS/2 keyboard now. I'm a little hesitant to open up the computer at this point. I'd rather change things in the BIOS first.

ferrari · 04-09-2016, 05:47 PM

Greg, referring to your second attached image image showing the boot device order. That is where you can change the order.

Gregg Bell · 04-09-2016, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beachboy2

Gregg,

Is the current time and date being shown on your Compaq PC?

If not, then as rokytnji suggests, replace the CR2032 battery.

Look under the Advanced tab and make sure that the USB keyboard (not PS/2) is enabled.

Malwarebytes Premium (NOT the Free version) will protect Windows OSs against
malware, including ransomware such as CryptoLocker.

https://www.malwarebytes.org/antimalware/

Goodbye to XP:
https://blog.malwarebytes.org/the-ba...erved-us-well/

Thanks. I can do the set-up utility and it keeps time properly. How does replacing the battery help?

Do you really think XP can run safely, even with the MB Premium? (I wouldn't mind keeping the XP around actually. And I could care less about losing the computer but I would hate to infect the other computers on the network.)