Help Please.....I'm stuck in CMOS Setup Utility and can't get out?

[burnselk]

I was installing a new SATA HDD when I went into the CMOS to see if it was set right. Now I am frozen on the CMOS Setup Utility screen and I can't get out.....I've entered every key that gives me an option; like Esc, etc. nothing works......what can I do?

The yellow light on the computer is on "steady" as well..

Will I lose the BIOS if I shut it down while in CMOS? Help Please. Thank you.

[neuron2]

Just power cycle. You won't lose the BIOS.

[burnselk]

Just power cycle. You won't lose the BIOS.

Thank you, thank you neuron.......do you mean to turn the power off and back on?

I really appreciate the quick response.....I'm in a tizzy.....

[burnselk]

do you mean to turn the power off and back on?

Anyone have a comment on this approach? I want to be sure.

Thanks

[[P]ako]

You have no other option. Just turn the computer off and then back on.

[burnselk]

ako;1112106']You have no other option. Just turn the computer off and then back on.

Thank you Pako, you were absolutely right, I had no other option.....but I wanted someone to agree that's what neuro meant by his statement.

I turned my computer off then back on as you said.....and it worked.......thank heaven for Doom9 Forum techies neuro and Pako.

I've now partitioned my new 500GB Seagate Barracuda SATA HDD and feel like I'm now "out of the woods" and I'm now "on-line" with my new build.....once again with a new HDD.

It seems to be working fine......thanks again guys.

[Adub]

You will never lose your bios by shutting down your computer. Your bios (at least on modern mobo's) have a backup chip that is used in case the bios ever get thoroughly messed with. If you need to reset your bios, you just pull the CMOS battery out and wait a few minutes. Again that resets the bios, it doesn't wipe out forever.

[neuron2]

There's no backup chip. There is battery powered memory that stores the BIOS settings. By removing the battery, you restore the default settings. The BIOS code itself is stored in non-volatile memory. It's possible to ruin it, for example by powering off during a BIOS firmware update, but not by powering off while in the BIOS setup program.

[burnselk]

You will never lose your bios by shutting down your computer. Your bios (at least on modern mobo's) have a backup chip that is used in case the bios ever get thoroughly messed with. If you need to reset your bios, you just pull the CMOS battery out and wait a few minutes. Again that resets the bios, it doesn't wipe out forever.


I learned a lot today thanks to neuron2, Pako, and you Merlin. You guys pulled me up out of what I had thought was a very difficult state of affairs......I thought I had really messed up my new computer's BIOS....for sure. I was desperate and you guys came through for me when I needed you the most. Thank you all very much.

I now wonder why my CMOS "froze" up? Has that ever happened to any of you guys? Is that a common thing or what?

[neuron2]

If you are changing things in your settings, you can make a change that doesn't work on your hardware. Suppose you increase the memory speed seetings beyond the capability of the actual memory installed, it will lock up. You should know what you're doing if you want to tweak BIOS settings. :)

[burnselk]

You should know what you're doing if you want to tweak BIOS settings. :)

Amen neuron2, words well spoken. I learned a lot from you today and I appreciate it.....most of all because you "nailed" what I needed to do.....and you did it very quickly.....when I was in a jam. That was very much appreciated. I was in a bind.

I was trying to check the BIOS setting on my new SATA HDD that I had just installed. I wanted to make sure it was not set as the boot disk.....that's when the "stuff hit the fan" and my CMOS froze up on me.

I did learn you have to be careful when you're in the BIOS/CMOS.....which is it BIOS or CMOS.....or both?

I must admit, just because I "assembled" a computer and fumbled around and got it working doesn't mean I know much about the BIOS.....I know nothing at all about the BIOS.....but with responses like yours, I hope to learn....at least some things about it.