Cannot access BIOS

[Michael Cellini]

We have an HP Netserver LX Pro that we just upgraded to Windows 2000 Server. We cannot access the BIOS, which is an AMI 1.00.11. Does anyone know what key or key combination should give us access? We have tried every key combination we can think of. Thanks for your assistance.

[Martin Breidenbach · Accepted solution]

This is a EISA/PCI system and EISA setup is disk based and stored on a special system partition. This system partition is created from the Navigator CD.

If the system partition is installed then I think F12 should be the correct key (there should be a short message during/after POST)

[Michael Cellini]

Thanks Martin. We tried F12 numerous times. We never receive any kind of prompt after the POST. I have a feeling that we will need to re-build the server with the Navigator CD to get the special system partition back. I really appreciate your help.

[Martin Breidenbach]

I'm not 100% sure but I believe that if the system partition isn't there then you don't get the F12 prompt message.

Actually I don't know where this message is generated - system BIOS, MBR (partition table) or boot sector.

[Michael Cellini]

We re-built the server with the Navigator CD and made sure that the utility partition was created. We are still unable to access the BIOS and never see any kind of prompt either. Any idea what could be preventing us from getting to the BIOS?