Member Avatar for manitm16

When I press the start button I get a black & white screen with the title 'AMIBIOS system configuration (c) 1985 - 2001 American Megatrends..etc
My system is winxp
Could some one please suggest how to solve this?
manitm

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Dani AI

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Original report from describes a machine that stops at the AMI BIOS/Setup screen and never proceeds to Windows XP. That behavior means POST is not finishing or BIOS is being held waiting for a device/response. Advice from that this is a POST issue, and the suggestions from and to try entering Setup, are good first checks. If a USB keyboard does not respond at power-on, try a PS/2 keyboard since older AMI firmware sometimes won’t initialise USB input before setup.

If Setup can be entered, check whether the hard drive appears in the device list and whether the boot order points to that drive. If the drive is present but XP still won’t start, repairing the Windows boot code is safer than destructive partition tools. Boot the Windows XP CD to the Recovery Console and run:

C:\> fixmbr
C:\> fixboot
C:\> chkdsk /r

Backing up important data or imaging the drive first is strongly recommended.

If Setup cannot be accessed or POST still hangs, isolate hardware with a minimal-boot test: remove extras (cards, USB devices, extra drives), leave one RAM stick and onboard video (or remove a recently added video card as noted by ), reseat components, and listen for motherboard beep codes (consult the board manual). Clearing CMOS using the motherboard jumper (preferred) or removing the coin cell briefly will restore defaults and can recover from corrupted BIOS settings.

A final caution: the suggestion to wipe with FDISK/MBR is destructive and not a first choice. Start with non-destructive checks, Recovery Console repairs, and simple hardware isolation; persistent hangs after those steps point to a failing motherboard, BIOS corruption, or other hardware fault that may need manufacturer recovery or professional repair.

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Member Avatar for Kraai

When you press the start button?
Does it boot up after you see this b&w screen?

Member Avatar for manitm16

Hi Kaai,
It does not boot after getting this screen. The screen remains there as permanent fixture.

Member Avatar for Suspishio

In my experience, this usually means that the master boot record is corrupt. I don't know of a way out of this other than to wipe everything with FDISK using the MBR option.

To save your data, you can put the HDD into a USB enclosure and stream it off using another PC.

I hope that the other geniuses on this forum give you other suggestions before you have to take this drastic step, like re-seating all your PCI cards and memory.

Let us know.

Member Avatar for caperjack

When I press the start button I get a black & white screen with the title 'AMIBIOS system configuration (c) 1985 - 2001 American Megatrends..etc
My system is winxp
Could some one please suggest how to solve this?
manitm

can you hit the del key it [may be another key ] to enter the bios and set the defaults and save changes and reboot see what happens .
I have seen this with computers that have been unplugged from power source and have a dead bios battery ,

Member Avatar for PcTestCard.com

Hi manitm ,

your pc cannot pass the POST process.
Try unplug the power cord and remove all removable parts like KB/Mouse, PCI addon cards, USB devices, unplug the HDD data cable as well. then holding down the power button over 20 seconds to discharge and reset the system.

Connect just the Power cord and try power on the PC.
If you see the boot screen pass the "AMIBIOS system configuration (c) 1985 - 2001 American Megatrends..etc", power off the PC and connect the HDD data cable, then power on teh PC again.

Hope this can boot your PC to desktop.
Happy New Year!
Bill

Member Avatar for Frank Wallis

When you turn on the power of your computer, press del button on your keyboard, to see if you are able to enter BIOS setup, if you are then, just come out of it without making any changes in it.
Than keep on pressing F8 button on your keyboard, if you see a screen giving you different information, select "Safe Mode" and press enter button and see if you are able to boot into "Safe Mode".

If you are able to enter "Safe Mode" then it could be an issue with any of your hardware device.

Please inform us as soon as possible if you are not able to enter BIOS setup.

Member Avatar for bastiandrade

can somebody help me too i have a same problem too can someone help me?

Member Avatar for the2smithboys

I had this same problem when I installed a new videocard. I solved it by resetting the CMOS (remove the battery for a few seconds).

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