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General discussion

PC Boots only to a key symbol on the screen

by hinesjrh May 23, 2005 12:02PM PDT

I have an IBM Aptive Windows 98SE machine that when it booted up today gave me an error message that said the memory was OK, but the date and time were wrong. It gave me an option of F1 to run setup or Enter to continue. I thought I wanted to correct the date and time so I hit F1, but then it seemed to ask for a password (only showing a key symbol [like and old fashion skelton keys]). I can not get by this key symbol, can't boot into safe mode, can't boot to a CD. What can I do?

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That's the BIOS-password.

by Kees Bakker May 23, 2005 5:03PM PDT

a) Reset the BIOS-password (see the manual on how to do this: there might be a jumper somewhere on the motherboard, or you take out the battery for a few minutes when the machine is disconnected from the power), then enter the correct date.
b) Or: reboot and press Enter to continue with the incorrect date/time, and reset it from Windows.

It might be time to replace the battery!

Kees

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