I have Windows XP (not an issue, I think). I reinstalled a slightly updated bios. The new Bios is not significant. My computer runs just as it did before, no problems there. The only issue is that in updating my bios I mistakenly put my boot settings so that it pauses after the initial bootup screen and gives the option to press F1 (continue to windows) or delete (enter bios). Before this screen appeared for a fraction of a second and then the bootup/setup continued automatically. Question is: How do I reset the system so the entire boot/setup is automatic? There may be a setting in the Bios, but I don't want to go poking around without knownig for sure. Can you help me? What does this bit here do?

Press F1 to continue message. Press F1 to continue, DEL to enter setup" it's likely that your CMOS is corrupt. When you see that message, go into CMOS (press DEL) and then hit F10 to save and exit and unless your battery is weak, you should not see that again. You don't have to change anything - go into it and save and exit.

Thanks, But my CMOS is not corrupt. I chose the F1 prompt as a boot option so everything works perfectly as it's supposed to. DEL to enter Bios settings, F1 to continue setup. As I said, when I upgraded my bios i mistakenly "chose" the option for the F1 prompt, so everything works perfectly. I have been in and out of the bios configuration settings, as you said, but as everything is in proper order, nothing resets or changes, of course. I was wondering if, within the bios config or the sys config of win xp if there was a way to "unchoose" the F1 prompt. Sorry if I wasn't clear enough :)

CPU/Ram: intel 4, hyperthreading We know it's the CPU but we have no clue what's the make of your PC. Is it OEM PC? Custom? Whenever you see F1 at bootup, it's usually the HD that won't kick in. Read more HERE. i_XpUser

OK, Problem solved, and I have JohnW and XP user to thank. Going into the Bios scares the willies out of me and I like to know exactly what I am doing. It's working now but I am not sure why it had the problem in the first place. Apparently, you two were right and I was wrong. XPUser, I have a custom job specifically designed for video editting. It has two hard drives (153 gigs each) with about 40 gigs partitioned for the hard drive. C, E, and F. It has a D (DVD RAM Drive). It also is detecting a G Drive (Which I thought was my video camera I/O but it is probably one of my other USB plugins masquerading as an HD or It is possibly my firewire plugin. It's working anyway and I will find it! ) It was ALSO DETECTING A nonfunctional A: Floppy Drive. I don't have an A Drive. I went into BIOS, set A: Drive to [none] and reboot. Problem solved. All because I upgraded my BIOS software. I am still wondering why the system was detecting an A drive that wasn't there? Thanks to all Paul So, thanks. CPU/Ram: intel 4, hyperthreading We know it's the CPU but we have no clue what's the make of your PC. Is it OEM PC? Custom? Whenever you see F1 at bootup, it's usually the HD that won't kick in.

All because I upgraded my BIOS software How? Did you flashed BIOS and why? 9 out of 10 flashes turned computers into door stops. i_XpUser

The same people, msi, who provide the Bios provide msi live monitor and msi live update as well as a pretty cool core monitor for controlling the fan. The bios upgrade is an upgrade of the same bios that came with the system. Log in with microsoft explorer and they read your system with active x and tell you what you need. I WAS worried and did it VERY carefully.