Date: Tue, 07 Mar 2006 16:10:35 -0500 From: Benjamin Sher <delphi123@zebra.net> To: Miguel Lopes Santos Ramos <miguel@anjos.strangled.net>, freebsd-stable@freebsd.org Subject: Re: Can't boot into setup to install FreeBSD 6 Message-ID: <440DF6CB.1090001@zebra.net> In-Reply-To: <200603072042.k27KgH5W002542@compaq.anjos.strangled.net> References: <200603072042.k27KgH5W002542@compaq.anjos.strangled.net>
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Dear Miguel: Thank you so very much for trying to help. My answers below: Miguel Lopes Santos Ramos wrote: >> From: Benjamin Sher <sher07@mindspring.com> >> Subject: Can't boot into setup to install FreeBSD 6 >> >> Dear friends: >> >> Just downloaded the two FreeBSD CD's from the web and I would like to >> install them on my second hard drive. But I've discovered that I cannot >> boot up into my Setup (F2, as clearly indicated on my Dell 8200 >> Dimension during bootup). I have never had this kind of problem before. >> I have two 40GB hard drives and wanted to install Linux into my second >> hard drive, but to do this I have to be able to go into my Bios and >> change the boot sequence. I have done this several times before with the >> same computer and the same Win XP OS. But now there is something wrong. >> In fact, I even tried to insert my Windows XP CD and tried to click on >> F2. But, once again, all that happened is that I was taken immediately >> to Windows XP. How do I regain entry to my Setup? >> >> One last thing: I searched for the boot.ini file (making sure that the >> search included all hidden and system files). It's under C:\boot.ini >> >> [boot loader] >> timeout=30 >> default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS >> [operating systems] >> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP >> Professional" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn >> >> I called Dell and asked for their help. Unfortunately, they are now >> charging $99 per incident, which is way beyond what I and my family >> (being Katrina refugees) can afford. But they did let me explain the >> problem, and the lady said that in her opinion this is a software issue. >> I tend to agree since I have never had a single hardware problem with my >> Dell computer in the six years I have had it. If so, may I ask if >> someone on the FreeBSD list would be kind enough to help me resolve >> this. We would very much appreciate it. >> >> Thank you so much. >> >> Benjamin Sher >> 865-690-3898 >> > > I think this is a bit off-topic on this list, but of course I'd like to help. > I don't think this can be a 'software issue', this must be the BIOS (firmware). > > 1- Did you change your keyboard, or is your keyboard not well connected? > I once had a keyboard which had a long reset time and sometimes was not > detected. Try different keyboards, check the plugs. > First, my thanks for explaining that this is a BIOS issue. Does this mean that it is a HARDWARE issue? I did change my keyboard some months ago. I changed my keyboard from a Belkin ergonomic keyboard to a Microsoft ergonomic keyboard when I arrived in Knoxville. But I had this problem before in New Orleans with my old keyboard. The Setup got jammed sometimes last fall for some inexplicable reason and has never worked right since. > 2- Are you pressing F2 at the right time? Try keeping F2 pressed as soon as > you power on, keep it pressed. > Believe me, I press F2 the moment boot starts and keep hitting it throughout the boot process. On the other hand, I can stop the boot process with F12. > 3- Did you update your BIOS? > > I don't think removing the CMOS battery can help in this case. Your problem > seems surreal. > No, I have not updated my BIOS since I purchased the Dell. Thank you again. Benjamin > Miguel > > >
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