can't enter BIOS on HP-KAYAK

Hello NG,

i have here a HP-Kayak-XU800. Some years ago, the original Windows-
Installation was removed and instead Linux installed. When i now switch
it on, it shows the HP-BIOS-Screen with the Menu-Point "F2 for BIOS
Setup", but if i press F2 nothing happens and the Workstation boots
normaly the installed Linux. I wich to install Windows again, but didn't
get the maschine to boot from CD.

Any ideas ?

with kind regardes, Stephan Weber

There is a possibility that the F2 key has been disabled, sometimes done for
security to prevent people from tampering with a computer.

Be careful to disconnect the computer from the electric wall current when
working inside.

Open up the chassis and either remove the silver coin-sized battery from the
motherboard or find the jumper setting on the motherboard to reset the CMOS. If
you remove the battery, wait a minute or two, then re-insert it. Thereafter, you
should be able to access the CMOS.

The other possibility is that the F12 key will give you the option to boot from
your Windows CD. F12 is a popular choice among BIOSes for this option... Ben
Myers

On Wed, 2 Jan 2008 21:28:33 +0000 (UTC), Stephan Weber <> wrote:

>Hello NG,
>
>i have here a HP-Kayak-XU800. Some years ago, the original Windows-
>Installation was removed and instead Linux installed. When i now switch
>it on, it shows the HP-BIOS-Screen with the Menu-Point "F2 for BIOS
>Setup", but if i press F2 nothing happens and the Workstation boots
>normaly the installed Linux. I wich to install Windows again, but didn't
>get the maschine to boot from CD.
>
>Any ideas ?
>
>with kind regardes, Stephan Weber

* Ben Myers:

> There is a possibility that the F2 key has been disabled, sometimes done for
> security to prevent people from tampering with a computer.

Certainly not. Besides that there is no way to do that on a Kayak, it
would be idiotic to disable the key that's the only way to enter the
BIOS. That's why BIOS passwords have been invented.

Benjamin

* Stephan Weber:

> i have here a HP-Kayak-XU800. Some years ago, the original Windows-
> Installation was removed and instead Linux installed. When i now switch
> it on, it shows the HP-BIOS-Screen with the Menu-Point "F2 for BIOS
> Setup", but if i press F2 nothing happens and the Workstation boots
> normaly the installed Linux. I wich to install Windows again, but didn't
> get the maschine to boot from CD.
>
> Any ideas ?

Yes. It's very likely that your timing just isn't right. On most older
Kayaks even when the F2 prompt is visible for several seconds the point
of polling the key is usually very short. Additionally, some monitors
need some time until they wake up from standby so depending on your
display you might see the first reaction already when the polling point
is over. Try this: Switch on the computer, wait say 2-3 seconds, and
then hit F2 around every second until the F2 prompt changes to "Entering
SETUP" or something like that. This usually works.

Benjamin

I mis-spoke. Many BIOSes have the option to HIDE the message telling the user
to press the F2 key and/or the F12 key... Ben Myers

On Thu, 03 Jan 2008 13:35:49 +0100, Benjamin Gawert <> wrote:

>* Ben Myers:
>
>> There is a possibility that the F2 key has been disabled, sometimes done for
>> security to prevent people from tampering with a computer.
>
>Certainly not. Besides that there is no way to do that on a Kayak, it
>would be idiotic to disable the key that's the only way to enter the
>BIOS. That's why BIOS passwords have been invented.
>
>Benjamin

Am Thu, 03 Jan 2008 13:40:21 +0100 schrieb Benjamin Gawert:

> Try this: Switch on the computer, wait say 2-3 seconds, and then hit F2
> around every second until the F2 prompt changes to "Entering SETUP" or
> something like that. This usually works.

I have tried it: no success ! I tried it more than 5 times, every one
with a little different timing, but without other results.

Stephan Weber

Stephan Weber wrote:

> Am Thu, 03 Jan 2008 13:40:21 +0100 schrieb Benjamin Gawert:
>
>> Try this: Switch on the computer, wait say 2-3 seconds, and then hit F2
>> around every second until the F2 prompt changes to "Entering SETUP" or
>> something like that. This usually works.
>
> I have tried it: no success ! I tried it more than 5 times, every one
> with a little different timing, but without other results.
>
> Stephan Weber

Did the PC originally come with a PS2 keyboard and are you using a PS2 or
USB keyboard? Your BIOS may not recognize a USB keyboard.

craigm

The brute force method is to power up the computer while holding down the F2 key
and some other keys for good measure. This often forces the BIOS to recognize
a defective keyboard and to offer the option to enter the CMOS setup.

Do the keyboard Num Lock, Caps Lock and Scroll Lock LEDs blink as soon as you
turn on the power? If not, the keyboard is defective, or (as someone else
suggested) the system does not work properly with a USB keyboard... Ben Myers

On Thu, 3 Jan 2008 21:50:14 +0000 (UTC), Stephan Weber <> wrote:

>Am Thu, 03 Jan 2008 13:40:21 +0100 schrieb Benjamin Gawert:
>
>> Try this: Switch on the computer, wait say 2-3 seconds, and then hit F2
>> around every second until the F2 prompt changes to "Entering SETUP" or
>> something like that. This usually works.
>
>I have tried it: no success ! I tried it more than 5 times, every one
>with a little different timing, but without other results.
>
>Stephan Weber

* Stephan Weber:

>> Try this: Switch on the computer, wait say 2-3 seconds, and then hit F2
>> around every second until the F2 prompt changes to "Entering SETUP" or
>> something like that. This usually works.
>
> I have tried it: no success ! I tried it more than 5 times, every one
> with a little different timing, but without other results.

Ok, then as others suggested check the keyboard (Kayaks prefer PS/2
types as even the machines with legacy USB support are very sensible
regarding the type of USB keyboards they accept) or better yet, replace
it with another one. Check that the Num Lock/Scroll Lock/Caps Lock LEDs
flash up shortly during the BIOS sequence.

If that all doesn't work the keyboard controller might be broken. Most
people think that PS/2 connectors are hot-plug capable when in fact
they're not (at least not on desktop computers like the Kayak, Servers
usually have hot-plug capable ports). Removing or connecting a PS/2
device (mouse/keyboard) when the machine is powered up carries the (very
high) risk of frying the keyboard controller that's in the chipset. If
this is the case then all you can do is to hope that the BIOS has legacy
USB support, that legacy USB support is enabled, and try an USB
keyboard. Or replace the system board.

Benjamin

Am Thu, 03 Jan 2008 23:18:59 -0500 schrieb Ben Myers:

> The brute force method is to power up the computer while holding down
> the F2 key and some other keys for good measure. This often forces the
> BIOS to recognize a defective keyboard and to offer the option to enter
> the CMOS setup.

In this case the BIOS shows the keyboard-error with the 2 Options: F1 for
continue (the systems boots from HD); ENTER to show the detailed error
information (but no way to enter the BIOS).

>
> Do the keyboard Num Lock, Caps Lock and Scroll Lock LEDs blink as soon
> as you turn on the power?

Yes they do ! I tried my standard-used MS-Wireless-Desktop (without Leds)
over a console switch (which i use right now) and a solo Cherry-Keyboard
(Din-Connector with PS/2-Adapter and with Leds; i have no USB-Keyboard
available)

I tested also the F8-Key (for Boot-Menu, hopping that this offers the
posibility to booz from CD) without any success. The F6-Key for the
Adaptec-SCSI-BIOS after the main-bios-screen works fine (i can enter the
adaptec-BIOS without any problems).

Stephan

> If not, the keyboard is defective, or (as
> someone else suggested) the system does not work properly with a USB
> keyboard... Ben Myers
>
> On Thu, 3 Jan 2008 21:50:14 +0000 (UTC), Stephan Weber <>
> wrote:
>
>>Am Thu, 03 Jan 2008 13:40:21 +0100 schrieb Benjamin Gawert:
>>
>>> Try this: Switch on the computer, wait say 2-3 seconds, and then hit
>>> F2 around every second until the F2 prompt changes to "Entering SETUP"
>>> or something like that. This usually works.
>>
>>I have tried it: no success ! I tried it more than 5 times, every one
>>with a little different timing, but without other results.
>>
>>Stephan Weber