If you are prompted to press a function key each time you boot your computer, the following steps may help you resolve the issue.

New hardware was recently installed

If new hardware was recently installed in your computer, you may receive the prompt “Press F1 or F2 to enter setup”. If you receive this message, the BIOS needs you to verify the configuration of your new hardware. Enter the CMOS setup, verify or change your hardware settings, save your configuration, and exit. If you continue to receive errors, continue to the next step.

  • How to enter and exit the BIOS or CMOS setup.

Error or confliction with settings in CMOS

If no new hardware was added or you continue to get this prompt, verify no error or conflictions exist in CMOS. Press the indicated key to enter setup and verify that all settings are correct.

  • How to replace the CMOS battery.

If the time and date are correct and everything else appears to be correct, try resetting the CMOS values to their default settings.

If your time and date are not set correctly, your CMOS battery is more than likely bad. Try setting the correct time and date, save the settings and then reboot. If, after turning off the computer the time and date get reset again, replace the CMOS battery.

  • How to reset CMOS or BIOS settings.

CMOS battery is bad or failing

If you continue to receive the prompt to enter setup each time the computer boots up and you have attempted the above suggestions, your CMOS battery is bad. We recommend you replace the CMOS battery.

  • Computer BIOS help and support.
  • CMOS help and support.