Question Can't enter bios at all!

[Kyros70]

So, I got this old HP PRO 3010 MicroTower PC a few months ago running windows 10
Specs are
Cpu : core 2 duo e8400 3.00 ghz
GPU : none (Intel g43 express chipset) that chipset doesn't work in windows 10 due to incompatible drivers, so i use Microsoft basic display adapter.
RAM: one stick of 2gb ddr3
disk drive : 160 gig WD HDD
Motherboard : pegatron corporation 2a94h
BIOS version: american megatrends inc. 5.17
On boot the pc displays HP logo and has texts below and one of them is "F10 = SETUP"
so mash F10 while pressing power button, nothing hold f10, nothing.
Maybe the f10 key is broken? No
It also says "ESC = BOOT MENU"
so same with the f10 I mash it hold it and nothing the pc just boots into windows...
Tried /shutdown /r /fw /t 1 thing and that didn't work (probably cuz it's on legacy mode)
Also, I tried all usb ports, front ones are usb 2.0 (didn't work)
Any help?
*Quick notes : the keyboard has the number lock key LED and when booting I tried pressing it and it didn't light up! + NO PS/2 ports + tried holding power button and it just powers on and off

 

[Darkbreeze]

Try a different keyboard. Even another USB keyboard. I've seen repeated examples of pre-setup BIOS problems with some keyboards, for no rhyme or reason. And then after setup, they work fine. And also, same systems, with other keyboards, initial boot, works fine. So there is no telling and it isn't just what TYPE of keyboard it is, because I've seen it across the board regardless of brand, wireless, wired, PS2, whatever. Same. And then, sometimes, not the same.

 

[Kyros70]

Try a different keyboard. Even another USB keyboard. I've seen repeated examples of pre-setup BIOS problems with some keyboards, for no rhyme or reason. And then after setup, they work fine. And also, same systems, with other keyboards, initial boot, works fine. So there is no telling and it isn't just what TYPE of keyboard it is, because I've seen it across the board regardless of brand, wireless, wired, PS2, whatever. Same. And then, sometimes, not the same.

Tried another one. Didn't work

 

[SkyNetRising]

Can't enter bios at all!
Any help?

Boot into BIOS after a restart from windows
Settings/System/Recovery/Advanced Startup

https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-access-advanced-startup-options-in-windows-10-or-8-2626229

 

[williamjeremiah]

Boot into BIOS after a restart from windows
Settings/System/Recovery/Advanced Startup

https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-access-advanced-startup-options-in-windows-10-or-8-2626229

This doesn't work with Legacy, non UEFI.

 

[kerberos_20]

if bios doesnt detect keyboard, then even if you manage to enter bios, you wont be able to navigate there
some keyboards needs more initialization time
if numlock doesnt work on bios post logo screen, then keyboard wasnt detected
try different usb ports

 

[williamjeremiah]

if bios doesnt detect keyboard, then even if you manage to enter bios, you wont be able to navigate there
some keyboards needs more initialization time
if numlock doesnt work on bios post logo screen, then keyboard wasnt detected
try different usb ports

Also, I tried all usb ports, front ones are usb 2.0 (didn't work)

 

[Kyros70]

I about to die trying everything I even removed HDD and ram and resetting CMOS jumper and trying empty HDD lol

 

[williamjeremiah]

removed HDD

Even leaving the boot device disconnected during POST, doesn't prompt it to enter BIOS settings ?

 

[Kyros70]

Even leaving the boot device disconnected during POST, doesn't prompt it to enter BIOS settings ?

it shows realtek thing
then pxe fail check cable
exiting pxe ROM
reboot and select proper boot device
or insert boot media in selected boot device and press a key
I have a windows 7 installation disk and I inserted it into the CD drive and pressed a key AND nothing happened even Ctrl shift del didn't restart the pc
*quick thing : I ALSO REMOVED THE CD DRIVE WITH HDD and that did nothing.

 

[williamjeremiah]

Try a different mainboard with a PS2 Keyboard
https://www.ebay.com/itm/376024295708

 

[Darkbreeze]

Try a different mainboard? William, are you seriously suggesting that the fix is to change motherboards? LOL. C'mon man. That's just kind of not helpful.

 

[Kyros70]

Try a different mainboard? William, are you seriously suggesting that the fix is to change motherboards? LOL. C'mon man. That's just kind of not helpful.

lol I don't think it's worth it for that pc.

 

[Darkbreeze]

lol I don't think it's worth it for that pc.

No, I agree. That's kind of my whole point. Plus, I don't think it's the fix or the answer. AND, if the board IS the problem, then of course, the answer is, a whole new build. No reason to replace a motherboard of that Gen at this late date.

 

[Kyros70]

No, I agree. That's kind of my whole point. Plus, I don't think it's the fix or the answer. AND, if the board IS the problem, then of course, the answer is, a whole new build. No reason to replace a motherboard of that Gen at this late date.

TRUE.

 

[Kyros70]

can downgrading the bios make it work😭 I'm running out of options, also is there a custom bios that works on every pc?

 

[ex_bubblehead]

is there a custom bios that works on every pc?

No. BIOS is specific to the hardware.

 

[Kyros70]

No. BIOS is specific to the hardware.

oh okay.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Have you tried this?

BIOS Hard Reset procedure

Power off the unit, switch the PSU off and unplug the PSU cord from either the wall or the power supply.

Remove the motherboard CMOS battery for about three to five minutes. In some cases it may be necessary to remove the graphics card to access the CMOS battery.

During that five minutes while the CMOS battery is out of the motherboard, press the power button on the case, continuously, for 15-30 seconds, in order to deplete any residual charge that might be present in the CMOS circuit. After the five minutes is up, reinstall the CMOS battery making sure to insert it with the correct side up just as it came out.

If you had to remove the graphics card you can now reinstall it, but remember to reconnect your power cables if there were any attached to it as well as your display cable.

Now, plug the power supply cable back in, switch the PSU back on and power up the system. It should display the POST screen and the options to enter CMOS/BIOS setup. Enter the bios setup program and reconfigure the boot settings for either the Windows boot manager or for legacy systems, the drive your OS is installed on if necessary.

Save settings and exit. If the system will POST and boot then you can move forward from there including going back into the bios and configuring any other custom settings you may need to configure such as Memory XMP, A-XMP or D.O.C.P profile settings, custom fan profile settings or other specific settings you may have previously had configured that were wiped out by resetting the CMOS.

In some cases it may be necessary when you go into the BIOS after a reset, to load the Optimal default or Default values and then save settings, to actually get the hardware tables to reset in the boot manager.

It is probably also worth mentioning that for anything that might require an attempt to DO a hard reset in the first place, IF the problem is related to a lack of video signal, it is a GOOD IDEA to try a different type of display as many systems will not work properly for some reason with displayport configurations. It is worth trying HDMI if you are having no display or lack of visual ability to enter the BIOS, or no signal messages.

Trying a different monitor as well, if possible, is also a good idea if there is a lack of display. It happens.


And, if that doesn't work, maybe try power on with NO CMOS battery installed. Often that will force it into the BIOS.

 

[Kyros70]

Have you tried this?

BIOS Hard Reset procedure

Power off the unit, switch the PSU off and unplug the PSU cord from either the wall or the power supply.

Remove the motherboard CMOS battery for about three to five minutes. In some cases it may be necessary to remove the graphics card to access the CMOS battery.

During that five minutes while the CMOS battery is out of the motherboard, press the power button on the case, continuously, for 15-30 seconds, in order to deplete any residual charge that might be present in the CMOS circuit. After the five minutes is up, reinstall the CMOS battery making sure to insert it with the correct side up just as it came out.

If you had to remove the graphics card you can now reinstall it, but remember to reconnect your power cables if there were any attached to it as well as your display cable.

Now, plug the power supply cable back in, switch the PSU back on and power up the system. It should display the POST screen and the options to enter CMOS/BIOS setup. Enter the bios setup program and reconfigure the boot settings for either the Windows boot manager or for legacy systems, the drive your OS is installed on if necessary.

Save settings and exit. If the system will POST and boot then you can move forward from there including going back into the bios and configuring any other custom settings you may need to configure such as Memory XMP, A-XMP or D.O.C.P profile settings, custom fan profile settings or other specific settings you may have previously had configured that were wiped out by resetting the CMOS.

In some cases it may be necessary when you go into the BIOS after a reset, to load the Optimal default or Default values and then save settings, to actually get the hardware tables to reset in the boot manager.

It is probably also worth mentioning that for anything that might require an attempt to DO a hard reset in the first place, IF the problem is related to a lack of video signal, it is a GOOD IDEA to try a different type of display as many systems will not work properly for some reason with displayport configurations. It is worth trying HDMI if you are having no display or lack of visual ability to enter the BIOS, or no signal messages.

Trying a different monitor as well, if possible, is also a good idea if there is a lack of display. It happens.


And, if that doesn't work, maybe try power on with NO CMOS battery installed. Often that will force it into the BIOS.

I don't have a graphics card so removed the CMOS battery and unplugged it and did what you said then when I booted it said somethings about CMOS and date/time and at the bottom it said
PRESS <F10> TO ENTER SETUP OTHERWISE LET THE PC BOOT
but as always f10 did nothing.

 

[Kyros70]

Tried the second thing (booting with no cmos) so its the same thing the windows.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Then in my opinion you have a motherboard issue and likely it is not one that can be resolved. It has to happen eventually with any hardware. Feels like, this may be the case here. As old as that system is, feels like you got a nice long ride out of it if you've owned it since it was new and if not, well, hopefully you didn't pay much for it since it clearly WAS old hardware. That's really all you can say or advise in situations like this. I've thrown newer hardware out for the same reason.

 

[williamjeremiah]

lol I don't think it's worth it for that pc.

I mean, whether it's worth it or not is clearly up to the OP.
This is some vintage uhm stuff.

 

[Kyros70]

Then in my opinion you have a motherboard issue and likely it is not one that can be resolved. It has to happen eventually with any hardware. Feels like, this may be the case here. As old as that system is, feels like you got a nice long ride out of it if you've owned it since it was new and if not, well, hopefully you didn't pay much for it since it clearly WAS old hardware. That's really all you can say or advise in situations like this. I've thrown newer hardware out for the same reason.

Yeah i payed like 50$ for this lol

 

[Darkbreeze]

Yeah i payed like 50$ for this lol

Where do you live, if you don't mind my asking?

And how long ago did you buy this? What, did you buy it FOR? To do WHAT? Just wondering.