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System Setup
Boot Menu
As with previous workstation platforms, this computer includes a one-time boot menu. This feature gives users a quick
and convenient mechanism to bypass the System Setup-defined boot device order and boot directly to a specific device
(for example: floppy, CD-ROM, or hard drive). The boot menu enhancements introduced on previous platforms are as
follows:
•
Easier access — Although the <Ctrl><Alt><F8> keystroke still exists and can be used to call up the menu, simply
press <F12> during system boot to access the menu.
•
User prompting — Not only is the menu easy to access, but the user is prompted to use the keystroke on the
BIOS splash screen. The keystroke is no longer "hidden" from the user.
•
Diagnostics options — The boot menu includes two diagnostic options, IDE Drive Diagnostics (90/90 Hard Drive
Diagnostics) and Boot to the Utility Partition. The benefit here is that the user does not have to remember the
<Ctrl><Alt><D> and <Ctrl><Alt><D> and <Ctrl><Alt><F10> keystrokes.
NOTE: Since the one-time boot menu only affects the current boot, it has the added benefit of not requiring the
technician to restore the customer's boot order after completing troubleshooting.
The computer has several keystroke options available during the POST process at the Dell Logo screen. These
keystrokes make several options available.
Keystroke
<F2>
<F12>
Timing Key Sequences
The keyboard is not the first device initialized by Setup. As a result, if you press a keystroke too early, you lock out the
keyboard. When this happens, a keyboard error message appears on the monitor, and you cannot restart the system
with the <Ctrl><Alt><Del> keys.
To avoid this scenario, wait until the keyboard is initialized before pressing the keystroke. There are two ways to know
that this has happened:
•
The keyboard lights flash.
The second method is good if the monitor is already warmed up. If it is not, the system often passes the window of
opportunity before the video signal is visible. If this is the case, rely on the first method—the keyboard lights—to know
the keyboard is initialized.
Function
Description
Enter System
Use System Setup to make changes to the user-
Setup
definable settings.
Enter Boot Menu One-time boot and diagnostics utility menu.
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