How to Access BIOS on a Dell Computer

All Dell computers have a BIOS settings program that controls your hardware configuration settings. These settings are stored in a battery powered CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) chip, which maintains the settings when the laptop is off. The BIOS allows you to control hardware features on your Dell computer such as enabling or disabling hardware components, monitoring system temperatures and speeds, or setting boot sequence to boot the computer from a CD. The following shows how to enter BIOS on Dell.

Detailed Steps to Access BIOS on Different Models of Dell

1. For Inspiron, Optiplex, Latitude Dimension, Precision Models

Step 1: Turn on your computer. If your computer is already on then reboot it. You need to see the initial display screen to get into the BIOS.
Step 2: Press the "F2" key when you see the initial screen displaying the BIOS provider information. If using the Optiplex and Dimension models, press the "DEL" key instead of the "F2" key.
Step 3: Enter password if required. When finished in the BIOS, be sure to save your changes. For changes to take place you must reboot the computer.

2. For Dell400 Model

Step 1: Turn on your computer. If your computer is already on then reboot it. You need to see the initial display screen to get into the BIOS.
Step 2: Press the "F3" or "F1" key when you see the initial screen displaying the BIOS provider information.
Step 3: Enter password if required. If you change settings in BIOS, remember to save your changes.

3. For Dell4400 Model

Step 1: Turn on or Reboot your Dell computer.
Step 2: At the first text on the screen or when the Dell logo appears, you quickly press the F12 Key. Tap it until the message Entering Setup appears.
Step 3: Enter password if required. Wait for the BIOS to load and navigate it.

4. For Older Dell Computers

Step 1: Turn on or Reboot the Dell computer.
Step 2: At the first text on the screen or when the Dell logo appears, please enter "Ctrl + Alt +Enter" keys, or the "Dell" key.
Step 3: Wait for the BIOS to load and navigate it. Enter the password if you set one.

Adjusting the Hardware Functionality Using the BIOS

After you get to the BIOS, you can make changes to the following:

Date and Time
Boot Sequence (to reboot from a system recovery disk)
System and Hard Drive Passwords
Restore the BIOS to the Default Configuration
Turning on or off modular add-on devices
Adjusting LCD Brightness (on laptop computers)
Adjusting the Hard Drive Noise level
Adjusting the number of cores the processor is using and speed they are functioning

Note: Incorrectly changing BIOS settings may leave the computer in a state in which the operating system no longer starts. Therefore you’d better record the original BIOS settings before you modify them.

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How to Access/Enter BIOS on Dell