Can’t start BIOS menu or start menu when booting.

Topic

New Reply

I have a Gateway DX4860-UR10P machine running Windows 7 Home Premium SP1. The motherboard is a Gateway IPISB-VR (CPU 1) with a Sandy Bridge chipset and an Intel Core I5 clocked at 3.0 GHz.

The BIOS is an American Megatrends P02-A2 dated 10/31/2011. Disk 0 is a 1954 GB WDC WD20EARX-22PASB0. Disk 1 is a 2930 GM WDC WD30EZRX-00DC0B0. The optical disk is an HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GH70N. In addition I have several external USB drives.

A few years ago, in order to speed up the boot cycle, I set the BIOS to not attempt to boot from the DVD drive first. Now, prior to Windows starting a screen appears which says “DEL to enter setup. F12 to enter boot menu.”, but pressing DEL or F12 does not do anything. The BIOS settings screen or the boot menu does not appear, instead Windows starts normally. The DVD drive does not activate during the boot sequence.

I use Windows 7 image backup, Acronis True Image and Macrium Reflect to create rescue disks but I can not reach the BIOS setup screen to set the BIOS to boot first from the DVD so I can not boot to a rescue disk in the DVD drive. This machine is not safe without the ability to boot from the DVD.

The DVD drive works normally when reading or writing files. It does a nice job of playing movies. The keyboard works normally, including the DEL and F12 keys, once windows loads.

Help please.

Reply | Quote

Replies

If you are using a USB keyboard, try a PS/2 keyboard (just in case the USB ports are initialised after the onscreen prompts for DEL / F12).

Reply | Quote

Hi Rick, I am using a USB keyboard. I don’t believe that this Gateway has a plug for a PS2 keyboard. I have been using this keyboard for years and I believe that I must have been using it when I set the BIOS to skip the DVD when booting.

Reply | Quote

Hi Rick, I am using a USB keyboard. I don’t believe that this Gateway has a plug for a PS2 keyboard. I have been using this keyboard for years and I believe that I must have been using it when I set the BIOS to skip the DVD when booting.

I had a quick look around and some of the pics for that particular mainboard show PS/2 connectors for mouse and keyboard. If you’ve been using a USB keyboard since day one then that’s probably not the reason. However, if you’ve ever changed the keyboard then, IMO, it’s still worth checking.

Reply | Quote

Have you tried F1 or F2 ?

Reply | Quote

Hi Rick, I am using a USB keyboard. I don’t believe that this Gateway has a plug for a PS2 keyboard. I have been using this keyboard for years and I believe that I must have been using it when I set the BIOS to skip the DVD when booting.

I had a quick look around and some of the pics for that particular mainboard show PS/2 connectors for mouse and keyboard. If you’ve been using a USB keyboard since day one then that’s probably not the reason. However, if you’ve ever changed the keyboard then, IMO, it’s still worth checking.

You can use this adapter for plugging a USB keyboard into a PS/2 port. Here‘s one for your USB mouse. The mouse adapter is green, and the keyboard adapter is purple.

I used a mouse adapter successfully on my computer when my USB ports died, so I know these adapters will make your keyboard and mouse into true PS/2 devices.

I’m with Rick — it’s worth a try to connect your keyboard as a PS/2 keyboard, just to see if that fixes your problem. PS/2 ALWAYS works when you follow the rules (power down before connecting), whereas I have seen some issues here and there with USB.

Group "L" (Linux Mint)
with Windows 10 running in a remote session on my file server

Reply | Quote

But the keyboard works after Windows has loaded – perhaps reinstalling the chipset drivers or looking for a BIOS update may resolve.

Still need to know if F1 or F2 works to get into the BIOS.

Reply | Quote

I checked F1, F2, F12 and DEL again. None of them work. The text type screen asking you to press F12 or DEL stays on the monitor for about 15 seconds then the starting windows screen appears. I hit F1, F2, F12 and DEL repeatedly while the text screen was up. …. nothing.

Reply | Quote

I doubt that this will be the solution. I don’t even own a PS/2 keyboard anymore. If nothing else works I will give it a try.

Reply | Quote

You can use this adapter for plugging a USB keyboard into a PS/2 port. Here‘s one for your USB mouse. The mouse adapter is green, and the keyboard adapter is purple.

I used a mouse adapter successfully on my computer when my USB ports died, so I know these adapters will make your keyboard and mouse into true PS/2 devices.

I’m with Rick — it’s worth a try to connect your keyboard as a PS/2 keyboard, just to see if that fixes your problem. PS/2 ALWAYS works when you follow the rules (power down before connecting), whereas I have seen some issues here and there with USB.

Those adapters do not convert the PS/2 keyboard protocol to USB, they just convert the plug type from one to the other.

You can use these $2 adaptors, with keyboards that support USB and PS/2. These keyboards(or mice) auto-detect which protocol to use at power-up, based on the responses they get from the computer at that time. This is all done by the keyboard controller chip at power-up handshaking time, and once the protocol is decided upon, the controller remains in that state while powered, which means that the keyboard controller will not be able to run in PS2 mode for the BIOS screen but then switch to USB mode after Windows starts and the USB drivers load.

The little adaptor plug has nothing to do with any of this, and if you put one of these on a USB keyboard, what you then have, is a USB keyboard, with a PS/2 plug – but it is still the USB protocol on those PS/2 pins.

The keyboard I am using is not one that came with the Gateway box. I don’t even remember if a keyboard was included. I am using one of the expensive noisy clickety-clack buckling spring keyboards sold as replicas of the original IBM PS2 1980s vintage keyboards, but it came with a USB plug, not a PS2 plug. It sounds like a 1947 Hudson crossing a New Jersey railroad crossing, but it feels great. I used it on a Dell XP box that pre-deceased the present Gateway.

Reply | Quote

Those adapters do not convert the PS/2 keyboard protocol to USB, they just convert the plug type from one to the other.

I stand corrected. The box my mouse came in was labeled “PS/2 and USB”. The plug on the mouse was USB, but there was an adapter plug in the box, allowing it to be connected to a PS/2 port. So I can’t honestly say if any USB mouse would work as a PS/2 mouse, because mine was designed to work in both modes.

You can use these $2 adaptors, with keyboards that support USB and PS/2. These keyboards(or mice) auto-detect which protocol to use at power-up, based on the responses they get from the computer at that time. This is all done by the keyboard controller chip at power-up handshaking time, and once the protocol is decided upon, the controller remains in that state while powered, which means that the keyboard controller will not be able to run in PS2 mode for the BIOS screen but then switch to USB mode after Windows starts and the USB drivers load.

The little adaptor plug has nothing to do with any of this, and if you put one of these on a USB keyboard, what you then have, is a USB keyboard, with a PS/2 plug – but it is still the USB protocol on those PS/2 pins.

The keyboard I am using is not one that came with the Gateway box. I don’t even remember if a keyboard was included. I am using one of the expensive noisy clickety-clack buckling spring keyboards sold as replicas of the original IBM PS2 1980s vintage keyboards, but it came with a USB plug, not a PS2 plug. It sounds like a 1947 Hudson crossing a New Jersey railroad crossing, but it feels great. I used it on a Dell XP box that pre-deceased the present Gateway.

Thanks for the USB vs PS/2 info!

If you have a replica of the IBM “clicky” keyboard, it may have PS/2 circuitry included in it. Therefore, you might be able to use it as a PS/2 keyboard. I know that my genuine IBM “clicky” keyboard is a PS/2 keyboard, but it will work as a USB keyboard if I plug it into an adapter. I have used it successfully in both ways.

Group "L" (Linux Mint)
with Windows 10 running in a remote session on my file server

Reply | Quote

What about the chipset drivers and if there’s a BIOS update ?

Have you also tried a different USB port, unplugging/replugging the keyboard and do you have anything else plugged in other than the mouse ?

Reply | Quote

What about the chipset drivers and if there’s a BIOS update ?

Have you also tried a different USB port, unplugging/replugging the keyboard and do you have anything else plugged in other than the mouse ?

I believe you have to reach the BIOS settings page before you can flash the BIOS memory.

I have a bunch of USB3 external drives plugged in. They all work fine once Windows is running.

Reply | Quote

I believe you have to reach the BIOS settings page before you can flash the BIOS memory.

The readme.pdf file for the BIOS update shows the BIOS can be updated from within Windows or using DOS.

44093-gateway
Click to enlarge

Hope this helps…

Reply | Quote

1. What is the voltage of the coin battery? If the battery is <3V replace.

2. You can usually pick up a PS/2 keyboard at a used shop like Goodwill or Salvation Army for $5. Definitely do not micky mouse a USB keyboard…if it doesn't work you don't know if it is the keyboard or mickey.

3. If you cannot get into the BIOS Menu via holding down the F1 key during boot using a PS/2 keyboard then your BIOS is likely fried.

I have a really old set of notes for recovering a bricked BIOS that can be tried. Since BIOS have changed since then to the 4000 series Gateway days you will have to adjust. Before that I would try resetting the CMOS either via the jumper or battery removal.

http://us.gateway.com/gw/en/US/content/drivers-downloads – for the DX4860:
BIOS Gateway BIOS – UEFI for Windows 8 (Not for Upgrades) P11.A3 3.1 MB 2013/09/02 Download
BIOS Gateway BIOS (for device with Ivy Bridge & USB 3.0 Supported) P03.A3 2.5 MB 2012/05/14 Download

Upgrading your system BIOS incorrectly could harm your Gateway Product. Please proceed with caution. But you have nothing to lose at this point. So experiment.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883113198

———————————-
Here goes:
http://www.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/sb/CS-028780.htm#noboot (see especiallyrecovery BIOS link), and can be as simple as this.

As far as "correct" procedure for using an Intel BIOS on a major box mfg.'s PC when an Intel MB has been identified…here are my notes [tenses not directed at you] copied at various times from the Internet from hackers. This is a hack and as you have found it can brick your system. Also note…if a BIOS revision is more than a year newer than the one being installed it is usually good practice to install about one year's advance at a time as sometimes things get a little buggy if the BIOS revision jumps too big a gap at once.

——————

Presently, Intel BIOS are pretty much derived from the Phoenix Tech BIOS dev kit.

http://www.wimsbios.com/faq/howtoflashintelphoenixbiosonoemboard.jsp

Try this process at your own risk.

Download the newest BIOS from the Intel site for your motherboard.
Put the downloaded Intel's flash BIOS on a bootable diskette. (see the text files in the zip-file on how to do it)
Go into the BIOS and enable the option 'Check for User Flash ROMS' (it's in SETUP)
Power down the computer
Set the BIOS Jumper on the motherboard to RECOVERY
Insert the bootable diskette you made in step 2 that contains the new BIOS
Turn on the computer
It'll now go through the recovery procedure and then load the new BIOS from the diskette.
After that the recovery procedure is completed, power down
Set the BIOS Jumper back to the normal mode
Power up

You should now have the new BIOS installed!

(Thanks to Anne Munson for sending me this info!)

Go back to our BIOS FAQ.
http://www.wimsbios.com/intelphoenixbiosids.jsp

————————–

http://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/showpost.php?p=806048&postcount=33

In response to the original post about swapping the OEM Bios for an original intel Bios, I have done some research into this with my 865GLC OEM Gateway Board.

First thing you do is go to http://americanmegatrends.com and find a bios identifier prog. to find your bios string. From there, if so appropriate, go to Intel's site to find the match, minus the 86a-15a difference in the string.

This is where I must caution you, Be Absolutely sure the first part of the string matches. From there, for the non- technically challenged get a copy of Intel's integrator toolkit to look at the actual bios information to find out if the new bios info is correct. ie; if you have a micro ATX the new bios may contain the commands for 5 PCI slots, instead of 3. I found this out the hard way. Luckily I recovered.

Next, get the bios recovery instructions for your Intel board, (normally this would entail removing the bios jumper from the board). Then, D/L the Bios recovery file from Intel, onto a formatted floppy disk, *note* it does not have to be bootable.

After this, set your board for bios recovery, after you turn it off of course, insert the floppy and restart. THERE WILL BE NO VIDEO AT THIS POINT, so don't freak, and especially don't turn off the machine. It should turn off automatically, or give you a beep code [2 beeps?] when done, in any case, watch the status indicator on the floppy drive.

When it's done, reset your bios jumper and reboot your machine, enter your bios, and observe the second part of the bios string, In my case it went from BF86510a.15a.**** to BF86510a.86a.****.

Re-Check ALL your new bios info to confirm that it is indeed for your board. and your done

Now, this worked fine for my D865GLC/D865PESO, but your board may be different. As for the Intel Integrator Toolkit, (tech support) for examining the bios info….

……………………………………………………………

With an Intel board, all you'll need is just the .bio file on a non bootable floppy (the bios will automatically look for the file on the A: drive) Set the board to bios recovery mode (generally this would entail removing the bios jumper), insert the floppy and wait.
DO NOT turn off the machine, it should shut off by itself, or beep twice when done.

As I stated before, Be VERY careful to match your bios with the like bios from Intel. Especially if you have a micro atx (I learned this the hard way) You can use Intel's integrator toolkit to view the info.

http://biosagentplus.com/?ref=752
http://biosagentplus.com/ami.php

http://www.ami.com/support/bios.cfm

http://www.ami.com/support/supportrequest.cfm?AMIProd=notamiproduct#faq

http://www.ami.com/support/product.cfm

http://www.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/sb/cs-015474.htm
Intel® Integrator Toolkit technical support

The Intel® Integrator Toolkit is a utility for PC OEMs and professional system integrators building systems with Intel® Desktop Boards. This application helps streamline and automate the manufacturing process while allowing replication of customized system configurations.

Reply | Quote

1. What is the voltage of the coin battery? If the battery is <3V replace.

2. You can usually pick up a PS/2 keyboard at a used shop like Goodwill or Salvation Army for $5. Definitely do not micky mouse a USB keyboard…if it doesn't work you don't know if it is the keyboard or mickey.

3. If you cannot get into the BIOS Menu via holding down the F1 key during boot using a PS/2 keyboard then your BIOS is likely fried.

I have a really old set of notes for recovering a bricked BIOS that can be tried. Since BIOS have changed since then to the 4000 series Gateway days you will have to adjust. Before that I would try resetting the CMOS either via the jumper or battery removal. ……….

FN: Wow! You wrote a book. Thanks for trying to help.

There seems to be a catch 22 in all of this. To flash the BIOS you have to set the BIOS to look for the update file. You have to get to the BIOS setup screen in order to do this. Then you move a jumper and re-boot. But, I can't get to the setup page so I can't set the BIOS to look for the update file. I might be stuck. I see from following your last link that the Intel Integrator Toolkit support for this motherboard has ended.

1. Since it does not seem that I have a UEFI BIOS in this box I wonder if the BIOS setup will start if I wipe the CMOS memory by pulling the battery and disconnecting the disk "0" hard drive so it won't find Windows? It seems that this would be what would happen if I just replaced the coin battery anyway.

2. If I can't reset the BIOS I wonder if the simplest course would just be to just replace the whole motherboard with something newer?

3. Would that destroy my license to run Windows 7 on the OEM Gateway box and therefore eventually upgrade to Windows 10?

Maybe it's time to buy a whole new machine with Windows 10 and then get this box running with Linux. To an old mainframer like me it seems ridiculous that these things have a service life of about 6 years.

Reply | Quote

Did you try removing and re-inserting the CMOS battery? That should reset the BIOS to default values, which may help.

Reply | Quote

@ Paul_L

Most modern motherboards have a backup copy of the BIOS/UEFI stored in the CMOS chip.

You could try resetting the BIOS/UEFI (I have seen this problem w/ many PCs, especially after mains power surges). Use the following steps to load the backup copy of the BIOS/UEFI:

1. Unplug the mains power cord from the power supply unit (leave the cord disconnected during steps 2. through 4.).

2. Remove the CMOS battery from the motherboard.

3. Use a suitable screwdriver (or some other suitable metal object) to short out the +/- contacts in the CMOS battery holder.

4. While the +/- contacts are shorted, press and release the PCs power-on switch 8 to 10 times (uses residual power stored in the motherboard’s capacitors to force the motherboard to load the backup copy of the BIOS/UEFI and resets the CMOS settings to defaults).

5. Refit the CMOS battery and plug the mains power cord back in to the power supply unit.

6. Power on.

If you now have video, you will need to adjust the BIOS/UEFI settings (date, etc.). If you do not have video, then the motherboard is probably dead.

Note: this procedure relies on residual power stored in the motherboard’s capacitors, so it is important to perform each step as quickly as possible especially after removing the mains power lead and the CMOS battery.

Reply | Quote

I have a Gateway DX4860-UR10P machine running Windows 7 Home Premium SP1. The motherboard is a Gateway IPISB-VR (CPU 1) with a Sandy Bridge chipset and an Intel Core I5 clocked at 3.0 GHz.

The BIOS is an American Megatrends P02-A2 dated 10/31/2011. Disk 0 is a 1954 GB WDC WD20EARX-22PASB0. Disk 1 is a 2930 GM WDC WD30EZRX-00DC0B0. The optical disk is an HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GH70N. In addition I have several external USB drives.

A few years ago, in order to speed up the boot cycle, I set the BIOS to not attempt to boot from the DVD drive first. Now, prior to Windows starting a screen appears which says “DEL to enter setup. F12 to enter boot menu.”, but pressing DEL or F12 does not do anything. The BIOS settings screen or the boot menu does not appear, instead Windows starts normally. The DVD drive does not activate during the boot sequence.

I use Windows 7 image backup, Acronis True Image and Macrium Reflect to create rescue disks but I can not reach the BIOS setup screen to set the BIOS to boot first from the DVD so I can not boot to a rescue disk in the DVD drive. This machine is not safe without the ability to boot from the DVD.

The DVD drive works normally when reading or writing files. It does a nice job of playing movies. The keyboard works normally, including the DEL and F12 keys, once windows loads.

Help please.

I have had to force my way into setup by removing and reinstalling the battery on the motherboard.

Don in Austin

Reply | Quote