How to Enter the BIOS on a Dell

By C. Taylor

The setup on your Dell computer is actually the BIOS. 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. To enter BIOS, you simply need to enter the correct key combination at the correct time.

Turn on your Dell computer or reboot it.

Press "F2" when the first screen appears. Timing is difficult, so you may wish to continually press "F2" until you see the message "Entering Setup." Pressing the key several times has no detrimental effects. In older Dell models, you might need to press either "Delete," "Ctrl" + "Alt" + "Enter," "Fn" + "F1," or "Fn" + "Esc." When in doubt, you can press several different combinations without any ill effects.

Use your arrow keys to navigate BIOS. You mouse will be inoperative in BIOS. Instructions for navigation and saving should appear at the bottom of your BIOS screen.

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