Have to press F1 to get computer to boot

[richjane]

I have a dell dimension e521. when I try to boot up I have to press F1 or F2. F1 to get to windows and it works fine.
If I set up date and time in Bios plus turn of non existing floppy drive the computer freezes on dell flash screen.

 

[hans_pcguy]

Try putting in a new cmos battery.

 

[reedo_43]

Definitely the batt. cr2032

 

[richjane]

Try putting in a new cmos battery.

 

[richjane]

I forgot to mention it has a new battery. this has something to do with cmos but I am not sure how to find the problem. In other words the computer runs ok as long as you use the F1 key but if you set up cmos the way it is supposed to be, it freezes up on exiting cmos.

 

[reedo_43]

it sounds "broken" for lack of a better term. Not sure how to fix it...sorry

 

[Rafael Mestdag]

It seems like the HDD might be failing. I have the same problem with a 500Gb HDD which makes the same message appear onto the boot screen, except mine is on a loop. If I press F1, it will reboot onto the same screen. On my BIOS there's a setting to sort of 'turn off' the F1 key prompt message. I'll try that tomorrow when I'll get my hands on this HDD and put it in my new PC.

 

[richjane]

Thanks for the input, I think you are correct, I changed the HHD and it started working the way it should after I reset bios.

 

[Rafael Mestdag]

Thanks for the input, I think you are correct, I changed the HHD and it started working the way it should after I reset bios.

No problem! I'm actually surprised your F1 F2 problem didn't come with a message saying the HDD was failing. This is normally due to HDD problems, swap the defective Hard Drive and the problem's gone.
As for my own failing HDD, I got it today and installed it and got the same message which took me to the BIOS. What I did was I turned S.M.A.R.T. off and disabled the "F1" message somehow. It worked, now I have an extra working 500Gb HDD.
If you feel you still need that HDD of yours you could try doing the same.

Good Luck!