PC help please

square_bear

My PC at work has died.
It has Windows 7 on it.
It acts as a server for 3 computers as well.
Usually the PC is left on stand-by to keep the server on but last night I mistakenly shut it down.
Now all I have is a black screen reading 'Please press del or F2 to enter UEFI BIOS setting'
Nothing happens when I press these buttons.

Could you please advise what I need to do?

Thank you.

GunJack

enter the bios, check the time/date are correct (put right if need be) and exit saving changes, see if it boots up...

edit - re-read, you tried this. Unplug from mains, leave for 30 secs, check all peripheral connections (mouse, kboard, etc.) reconnect mains and try to boot again...

square_bear

Thanks for the reply GunJack.

Nothing happens whatever button I press.

square_bear

I've tried all that, and it's still the same.

GunJack

ok, try unplugging from mains, hold down the power-on button for a good minute, then plug back in and try to switch on..

GunJack

do you have a different keyboard to try?

Heedtheadvice

Just to clarify, when are you pressing f2?
(Assuming the keyboard is working...) You need to press f2 (probably several times till the boot screen comes on) immediately after powering up to ensure you have pressed it at the right moment. Then take it from there. If that does not work try it with the delete key.

psychic_teabag

Unlikely, but an old PC I have works fine with a USB keyboard once it has booted, but the bios (and bootloader) don't recognise it. (So I can't use it to navigate boot options, for example.)

In the unlikely event that this is the same for you, you could try looking for an old ps2-style keyboard.

Maybe another possibility is to ensure the keyboard is plugged directly into a USB port, rather than a hub. Again, that would operate normally with an OS loaded, but might confuse the bios. Or maybe if it's a wireless keyboard. (Or bluetooth.)

psychic_teabag

Heedtheadvice wrote: »

You need to press f2 (probably several times till the boot screen comes on) immediately after powering up to ensure you have pressed it at the right moment. Then take it from there. If that does not work try it with the delete key.

That's true when you're trying to interrupt normal booting to speak to the bios. But I thought if the screen said to press a particular key, it was then waiting for you to do so ..?

GunJack

psychic_teabag wrote: »

That's true when you're trying to interrupt normal booting to speak to the bios. But I thought if the screen said to press a particular key, it was then waiting for you to do so ..?

yes, but some machines won't have active usb ports at that point, hence why a ps/2 kbd and mouse are worth keeping hold of

the problem is made worse when some newer machines don't have a ps/2 port on them :mad:

square_bear

PC collected by an IT guy.
Says he thinks the motherboard is faulty, so he needs to take it away to have a look.


Update later.