How to Reset the BIOS on a Toshiba Satellite
By Patrick Warren
Updated February 10, 2017
On Toshiba Satellite laptops, the BIOS is the first set of instructions the processor runs on startup. The BIOS tells the processor where to look for the operating system, defines system functions and conducts tests to make sure the computer is ready to run. There are times when BIOS settings cause problems; you may need to modify them or even reset them to the default settings.
Shut down the Satellite laptop (do not put it to sleep or set it to "hibernate"). If the computer freezes or will not shut down, press and hold the power button for 10 seconds until the laptop powers down.
Press the power button to turn on the laptop, then press and hold the “F2” key. If the laptop was made before the introduction of Windows XP, press the power button, then press and hold the “Esc” key for three seconds. If prompted, press the “F1” key. The BIOS screen will appear.
Press the “F9” key to reset the BIOS settings on the current BIOS tab to the system defaults.
Press the right arrow key, then the “F9” key to navigate to the next tab and reset the settings to the system defaults. Repeat for each BIOS settings tab.
Press the "F10" key to save the changes to the BIOS and restart the laptop.
Tips
To make changes to the BIOS on a Satellite 5xxx model, run the Toshiba Hardware Setup utility from the Windows Control Panel. To restore the BIOS to default settings, hold "Esc" while the laptop is booting, then press "F1."
Writer Bio
Patrick Warren began writing on the web in 2010. He has 15 years experience as a trainer in hardware, software, and business, most of it in the financial and medical fields. Warren has also created numerous customized training manuals and user guides. Warren received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Charter Oak State College.