changing BIOS settings

jkess · Post by **jkess** » Wed Apr 17, 2002 9:13 pm

I recently installed DSL through an ethernet card and my COM ports are no longer working. I;ve been told I need to change my BIOS settings. How can I do this to get my COM ports back??? Thanks!

MosDef112 · Post by **MosDef112** » Thu Apr 18, 2002 12:25 pm

Best bet is to either set all your COM ports to AUTO, or load DEFAULT SETTINGS on your BIOS. Something must have been changed that you are not aware of.

jkess · Post by **jkess** » Thu Apr 18, 2002 2:39 pm

thanks! I'm kind of computer illiterate, so how exactly do I do this?

MosDef112 · Post by **MosDef112** » Thu Apr 18, 2002 8:16 pm

Not a problem.

Depending on what type of computer you have, you need to hit a certain keystroke or series of keystrokes while your computer is performing a POST (Power On Self Test). Most newer computers display a company logo while a POST is in progress, and there are some who display step-by-step progress of the boot up process.

Here's what you do.

Shut your computer completely down, as if you're turning it off for the night. Then turn it back on. You must act quick because most computers do a quick POST, so you may miss the chance to get into the Setup program for your PC.

Try any of the following keystrokes while boot up is in progress:

DEL
F1
F2
F8
F10
CTRL+ALT+ESC

Make continuous keystrokes until you are able to get into the Setup screen of your computer.

Since there are also many motherboard manufacturers, the Setup programs will also be different. You want to look for something that says LOAD DEFAULT VALUES FROM ROM, or LOAD DEFAULT SETTINGS. Once you locate this menu option, select it, save the changes, and reboot your machine.

This may not make your problem go away, but it's a good place to start. Most common resource allocation problems in a PC result from a Setup program misconfiguration.

Good luck, let us know how you make out.