All computers have special keys that, when pressed, allow access to the new UEFI firmware or the classic BIOS. These are activated by pressing a specific key during the hardware testing phase, which occurs when the personal computer is turned on. This gives us access to the Basic Input/Output Systems (BIS) that run at startup, facilitating low-level communication, operation, and basic configuration of the system's hardware.
The downside is that these keys aren't standardized, and sometimes you don't recognize them. They should appear on the screen at startup, but this isn't always the case due to the quick-boot modes on today's computers, especially laptops. Furthermore, manufacturers make things more complicated because Each one uses different firmware and key solutionsThe good thing is that they tend to be repeated across different models of each brand. 👍
The keys to access the internal boot menu are also very useful, as they allow you to select boot from different devices storage, whether internal such as hard drives or SSD, or external such as pendrives, USB disks or CDs/DVDs. 📀
BIOS access keys
Here we leave you one non-exhaustive list of major manufacturersMost use one of the Function keys or the Escape key, although they vary and it's important to know which ones. We've also included Apple's special keys, which are different. 🍏
Laptops
Acer: F2
ASUS: F2 or Delete
Compaq: F10
Dell: F2
Fujitsu: F2
HP: Escape or F10
Lenovo: F1, F2 or nano button
Packard Bell: F8
Samsung: F10 or F2
Sony: F1, F2, F3 or assistance button
Toshiba: Escape, F2 or F1
Desserts
Acer: Delete or F2
ASUS: F8, F2 or Delete
Compaq: Escape or F9
Dell: F2
HP: Escape or F10
Lenovo: F1 or F2
Internal boot menu
Acer: F12, F9 or Escape
ASUS: F8 or Delete
Dell: F12
Fujitsu: F12
HP: Escape or F9
Intel: F10
Lenovo: F12, F10 or F8
Packard Bell: F8
Samsung: Escape, F10 or F2
Sony: Escape or F11
Toshiba: F12
Apple Laptops
Command + Option + P + R: Resets PRAM and NVRAM.
Command + S: Boot in single-user mode.
Command + V: Boot with detailed status.
Option: Selecting the boot volume on the hard disk.
Option + N: Boot from a server image.
Shift: Boot into safe mode.
C: Boot from optical drive.
D: Boot into recovery mode and test hardware.
N: Boot from a network.
Other manufacturers and access modes
If you build your own PC, your motherboard manual from ASUS, Gigabyte, MSI or ASRock will include the UEFI – BIOS access key and also the corresponding key to select the storage drive that will act during boot. Remember that all these keys you have to press them during the processPower On Self-Testthat happens when you start your computer, before the operating system loads. 🔄
On newer laptops, fast SSDs don't allow much time for key activation. In these cases, it's best to shut down the computer, press the corresponding UEFI or internal boot key, and hold it down while turning it on.
With Windows operating systems, you can access a special menu that includes Safe Mode, from where you can also access the BIOS. without having to press any keys during boot. Just hold down the Shift key, restart your computer from the boot menu, and search for the BIOS option. 👩💻✨
The best category for your blog, considering the title and text, is **#Tutorials**. This is because the article explains in a practical and detailed way how to access the BIOS/UEFI using specific keys, which is a useful guide or instruction for users.
In conclusionKnowing the specific keys to access the BIOS or UEFI is essential for any user who wants to configure or troubleshoot their computer quickly and efficiently. While the lack of standardization and boot speed of modern devices can be challenging, familiarizing yourself with the most common combinations by manufacturer makes this process much easier.
Additionally, having access to the internal boot menu expands the options for booting from different devices 💻📀, offering greater flexibility and control. Finally, remember that on Windows systems, there are alternative methods for entering firmware settings without using keys during startup, which is especially useful on laptops with ultra-fast boot ⚡.
Staying informed and prepared about these keys is a key tool to get the most out of and control any computer 🖥️🔑.
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