Timing Key Sequences - Dell OptiPlex 990 Mini-Tower Service Manual

Partition. The benefit here is that you do not have to remember the
<Ctrl><Alt><D> and <Ctrl><Alt><F10> keystrokes (although they still work).
NOTE: The BIOS features an option to disable either or both of the keystroke
prompts under the System Security / Post Hotkeys submenu.
When you enter the <F12> or <Ctrl><Alt><F8> keystroke correctly, the computer
beeps. The key sequence invokes the Boot Device Menu.
Since the one-time boot menu only affects the current boot, it has the added
benefit of not requiring the technician to restore the customer's boot order after
completing troubleshooting.

Timing Key Sequences

The keyboard is not the first device initialized by Setup. As a result, if you press
a keystroke too early, you lock out the keyboard. When this happens, a
keyboard error message appears on the monitor, and you cannot restart the
system with the <Ctrl><Alt><Del> keys.
To avoid this scenario, wait until the keyboard is initialized before pressing the
keystroke. There are two ways to know that this has happened:
• The keyboard lights flash.
• The "F2=Setup" prompt appears in the top right-hand corner of the screen
during boot.
The second method is good if the monitor is already warmed up. If it is not, the
system often passes the window of opportunity before the video signal is
visible. If this is the case, rely on the first method—the keyboard lights—to
know the keyboard is initialized.
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