Computers and Technology

1. No Access to the Keyboard During the Boot Process?

Help, I can't access my keyboard at boot!

If this is the case, I would recommend:

1-1. If using a USB keyboard, plug the keyboard into the primary USB ports on the back of the computer (on the motherboard). Restart the computer and try again.

1-2. Try another known working USB keyboard plugged into the primary USB ports on the back of the computer (on motherboard). Restart the computer and try again.

1-3. Try another known working PS/2 keyboard, restart the computer and try again.

1-4. If using a PS/2 Keyboard, try replacing your keyboard with a USB keyboard, restart the computer and try again.

1-5. If these steps fail, remove your keyboard connection and shut the computer off with the power button. While computer is off, plug the keyboard back into the computer and start the computer.

Still doesn't work? Please go to "I need to flash my bios" section and proceed with flashing your bios.

2. Does Your Computer Freeze at Bios?

Why is my computer frozen?!

2-1. Remove all devices from your computer including removable hard drives, additional USB devices, and printers and faxes. Restart the computer and try again. If no result, go to step 2-2.

2-2. If you can see your bios screen, please tap the key to go into your bios settings. While inside of bios, make sure that your hard drive, memory and video card ( is applicable) are detected. If it is not, try re-seating or replacing the unit that is not being detected. If no result, go to step 2-3.

2-3. While looking in bios and all of your hardware is getting detected okay, please reset the bios back to its default settings and choose "save and quit." The computer will restart and you should be looking at the operating system loading page at this point. If no result, go to step 2-4.

2-4. Open the computer, remove all but 1 memory module (usually closest to the CPU) and disconnect all hard drives. Also disconnect and PCI or AGP add on cards and start your computer. If you see "operating system not found" or a similar message, progress has been made. Then start adding back 1 item at a time, restarting the computer after each item to see when it fails.

If these steps still won't work, please proceed to the "I need to flash my bios" section.

3. Computer Beeping Noises on Power Up

No data on screen and computer yelling at you?

3-1. If your computer is beeping at start up and you are not seeing anything on your screen. There is a hardware problem with your computer. Please check your motherboard or computer manufacturers website for bios code meanings. If this is not possible, first thing to try is remove all sticks of memory except for one, restart your computer and try again. If no result, please go to step 3-2.

3-2. If removed and tested all memory, please disconnect all internal connections EXCEPT for Power supply connections, Video card connections and the Power switch (PSW). Also leaving 1 stick of memory, heatsinks and fans plugged in as well, restart the computer and try again. If no result, please go to step 3-3.

3-3. If you have a video card installed and have on-board video as well, please remove the video card and the power connection to that card. Hook the video cable to your on board video connection. Restart your computer and try again. If no result, go to step 3-4.

3-4. If the beeping still exists, Try replacing the memory with a known working module. Restart the computer and try again, if no result, please replace the motherboard and try again. If still no result, go to step 3-5.

3-5. If beeping still exists, replace the processor and add only the necessary connections ( Power supply connections, Video card connections and the Power switch (PSW). Also leaving 1 stick of memory, heatsinks and fans plugged in as well ). Start the computer and try again.

Note: If all steps do not work, please review the steps one more time, if the computer is still beeping at start up, please contact a local computer repair technician.

4. Windows Was Unable to Start?

unmountable volume, windows did not start successfully?

4-1. First you should try "start Windows normally." If this does not bring you back into Windows, move to step 4-2.

4-2. Choose the "Use last known good configuration", you should be able to boot back into Windows at this point, if not proceed to step 4-3.

4-3. Choose "Repair" as an option and let the computer go through it's motions, your computer may restart a couple of times in the process. You should now be able to get back in to Windows, if not please proceed to step 4-4.

4-4. You will need to boot from a Windows installation DVD or boot-able USB with the installation files on it. Make sure to press the adequate key at bios to view / change boot options. Boot the DVD / USB, choose repair and then choose your Windows installation directory. If prompted with a command prompt, type "chkdsk /r" and then press enter. If no result, move to step 4-5.

4-5. If another computer is available, please remove the hard drive from the affected computer, insert the hard drive into the working computer as a slave ( making the proper jumper configuration change on the primary and slave drive). Then boot into Windows using your known working hard drive, then try and recover as much personal data as possible and store it on the known working hard drive. If another computer is unavailable or this does not work for you, please proceed to step 4-6.

4-6. Attach a removable storage medium ( removable hard drive ) Boot to a recovery software utility or Live CD using your DVD drive or USB drive. A few of these utilities are Hiren's Boot CD, Ultimate Boot CD, Knoppix and Ubuntu. Access your hard drive from this utility and back up all of your personal files and information. Then safely remove your removable hard drive, restart your computer and hit F11 or ctrl + F11 repeatedly if you have a factory installed windows recovery partition. Or if you have a DVD Windows installation disc insert this disc at start up. Choose the "install" option and install over your old broken Windows installation.

Note: If the above will not work, please contact a local computer repair technician.

5. I Need to Flash My Bios!

Bios corrupted, acting strange?

5-1. Obtain your bios compatible files. Most of the time, you can get these files from the manufacturer's website. Just search for the files on their website using your model # of you computer or service tag.

5-2. Create a boot-able floppy drive with your bios files. Then manually copy the bios files onto the floppy drive, eject the floppy drive and insert it into the troubled computer and start the computer up. Press the specific key to access your boot menu when the computer is starting up, choose your floppy drive. If everything goes to plan, you should see a command prompt. Follow your manufacturers instructions on how to flash the bios. If you do not have a floppy drive, proceed to 5-3.

5-3. Create a boot-able USB with your bios files on it. One utility to get this job done would be HP's USB Storage Format Tool. Then manually copy the bios files onto the USB drive, eject the USB drive and insert it into the troubled computer and start the computer up. Press the specific key to access your boot menu when the computer is starting up, choose your USB drive. If everything goes to plan, you should see a command prompt. Follow your manufacturers instructions on how to flash the bios. If you do not have a USB drive, proceed to 5-4.

5-4. Create a boot-able DVD with your bios files on it. When making your iso, copy the bios files into the ISO before compiling. Burn the DVD, eject the DVD and insert it into the troubled computer and start the computer up. Press the specific key to access your boot menu when the computer is starting up. Choose your DVD drive. If everything goes to plan, you should see a command prompt. Follow your manufacturers instructions on how to flash the bios.

Note: If you are not able to flash your bios, you may need to contact a local computer repair technician.