Hardware interview questions with Answers

 

What is the difference between 32-bit and 64-bit?

The main difference between 32-bit processors and 64-bit processors is the speed they operate. 64-bit processors can come in dual core, quad core, and six core versions for home computing (with eight core versions coming soon). Multiple cores allow for increase processing power and faster computer operation. 

Software programs that require many calculations to function operate faster on the multi-core 64-bit processors, for the most part. It is important to note that 64-bit computers can still use 32-bit based software programs, even when the Windows operating system is a 64-bit version.

Another big difference between 32-bit processors and 64-bit processors is the maximum amount of memory (RAM) that is supported. 32-bit computers support a maximum of 3-4GB of memory, whereas a 64-bit computer can support memory amounts over 4 GB. This is important for software programs that are used for graphical design, engineering design or video editing, where many calculations are performed to render images, drawings, and video footage.

One thing to note is that 3D graphic programs and games do not benefit much, if at all, from switching to a 64-bit computer, unless the program is a 64-bit program. A 32-bit processor is adequate for any program written for a 32-bit processor. In the case of computer games, you'll get a lot more performance by upgrading the video card instead of getting a 64-bit processor.

In the end, 64-bit processors are becoming more and more commonplace in home computers. Most manufacturers build computers with 64-bit processors due to cheaper prices and because more users are now using 64-bit operating systems and programs. Computer parts retailers are offering fewer and fewer 32-bit processors and soon may not offer any at all.

 

 What causes high CPU usage and how can I reduce it?

Most of the time, computers only use a small fraction of their CPU power. In fact, many computers use less than 5% of their CPU the majority of the time. When you open an application, play a video game, or encode media file, the CPU usage will rise or spike temporarily. Once the CPU intensive process completes, the CPU usage should once again drop down to lower level.

Most applications will not use up more than 50% of your CPU for an extended period of time. However, some programs and system processes can use up a large amount of CPU without you even knowing it. This may happen if a program gets stuck in an infinite loop or encounters an unexpected error. If you computer is using close to 100% of the CPU, it will constantly have to free up processing power for different processes, which will slow your computer down.

In order to reduce your CPU usage, you first need to determine what programs or processes are taxing your CPU. Both Windows and Macintosh systems provide easy ways to view the processes running on your machine.

Windows

In Windows, you can use the Task Manager to see the current running processes. To open the Task Manager, press Control+Alt+Delete and click the "Task Manager" option. This will open the window below.
In the Windows Task Manager window, click the Processes tab to view all running processes. Then click the "CPU" header to sort the processes by CPU usage. You can monitor the CPU usage for a few seconds to see what programs are consistently using the most CPU. If an errant process is using a large amount of CPU power, you can click the End Process button to kill the process. This will free up whatever percentage of CPU power the process was using.
Important: Clicking End Process will immediately quit an application. Therefore, be careful not to end any programs that you are currently using, especially if you have not saved your work!

 

What does the phrase "System Analysis" mean?

A System Analysis refers to analyzing a computer's hardware and software resources. It is often done for diagnostic or troubleshooting purposes. Running a system analysis can also be helpful when determining if your computer meets a software program's system requirements.
A basic system analysis can be performed in Windows using the Microsoft System Information utility (Msinfo32.exe). This program can be opened by clicking the Start Menu and selecting Programs → Accessories → System Tools → System Information. You can also use the Run option in the Start Menu and type Msinfo32.exe, then click OK.

 

 What does the term COM mean?

In the computer world, "COM" has several different meanings, which are described below:

1. A Domain Suffix
   The most common place you'll see "com" these days is at the end of a domain name. The .com (dot com) domain suffix is the most common suffix. Even though ".com" is short for commercial, many personal, educational, and non-profit websites have a .com domain name since it is the most recognizable. Other popular suffixes include .net, .org, .gov, and .edu. For a complete list domain suffixes, including country-specific ones, view the Sharpened.net list of domain suffixes.
2. A DOS Command File
   Another place "com" may appear on your computer is at the end of a filename, as a file extension. A file that ends in ".com" contains a list of instructions that can be executed within DOS or by the Windows operating system. The most recognizable COM file, "COMMAND.COM," includes instructions that are referenced during the computer's boot process and also serves as command shell. Since COM files contain executable commands, you should not open any unknown files ending in .com, as they may contain viruses or other malicious instructions.
3. The Component Object Model
   COM is also an abbreviation for "Component Object Model," a software interface standard developed by Microsoft. It provides a standard way for programmers to create and share objects, which are used in Object-Oriented Programming. The Component Object Model includes both OLE (Object Linking and Embedding) and ActiveX technologies. A newer version of COM, called COM+, was released with Windows 2000 and includes support for Microsoft Transaction Server (MTS) and .NET applications.

What is the difference between bits and bytes?

Bits and Bytes both measure amounts of data. However, they are typically used in two different contexts.
Bits, kilobits (Kbps), and megabits (Mbps) are most often used to measure data transfer speeds. This may refer to how fast you are downloading a file, or how fast your Internet connection is. For example, if you are downloading a file on cable modem, your download speed might be 240Kbps. This is much faster than a dial-up modem, which maxes out at 56Kbps.

Bytes, on the other hand, are used to measure data storage. For example, a CD holds 700MB (megabytes) of data and a hard drive may hold 250GB (gigabytes). The other important difference is that bytes contain eight bits of data. Therefore, a 240Kbps download is only transferring 30KB of data per second.

However, kilobytes per second is not as commonly used as kilobits per second for measuring data transfer speeds. After all, using kilobits per second (Kbps) makes your connection sound eight times faster!
It is important to know that bytes are abbreviated with a capital B, where as bits use a lowercase b. Therefore, Mbps is megabits per second, and MBps is megabytes per second. So 8Mbps is equal to 1MBps.

What are kibibytes, mebibytes, and gibibytes?

he size of computer data is measured in bytes. Larger units of bytes are often measured in kilobytes, megabytes, and gigabytes. However, the size of these units can be somewhat ambiguous. For example, a kilobyte can equal 1,024 bytes or 1,000 bytes, depending on the context in which it is used. A megabyte may equal 1,048,576 bytes or 1,000,000 bytes.
In 1998, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) introduced new units of measurement to avoid this confusion. These units are all exact measurements and cannot be estimated like kilobytes, megabytes, and gigabytes. The new IEC units are listed below:

1. byte (B)
2. kibibyte (KiB) - 2^10
3. mebibyte (MiB) - 2^20
4. gibibyte (GiB) - 2^30
5. tebibyte (TiB) - 2^40
6. pebibyte (PiB) - 2^50
7. exbibyte (EiB) - 2^60
8. zebibyte (ZiB) - 2^70
9. yobibyte (YiB) - 2^80

What is the difference between Hibernate and Standby in Windows?

 

Answer: Hibernate and Standby are two different sleep options offered in Windows XP.

Hibernate saves an image of your desktop, including all open windows and files. Then it powers down your computer just as if you had turned it off. When you turn your computer on again, your windows and files are open just as you left them.
Standby is a more traditional sleep mode, as it reduces the power your computer uses to almost nothing. When you select Standby, the power to your screen, hard drive, and peripheral devices is cut. However, the power to the computer's memory (RAM) is maintained so your open files stay open.

What does POST mean in reference to a computer's boot process?

POST stands for "Power On Self Test." It is a diagnostic program built into the computer's hardware that tests different hardware components before the computer boots up.

The POST process is run on both Windows and Macintosh computers. While the exact tests performed may vary between machines, most POST sequences check the vital hardware components, such as the power supply, RAM, and system bus. If any of these tests fail, the POST process will return an error message. This message may be displayed on the screen or may be output in the form of beeps or blinking lights.

The most common type of POST error is a memory error. This can be caused by one or more bad memory modules or a memory chip that is loose or not fully seated. If the post process fails on your computer, you may need to check your computer's manual to see what the error code means. If it is a memory error, you may be able to fix the problem by removing, reinstalling, or replacing the bad memory module. If the error is caused by another component, you may need to have your computer serviced by an authorized technician.

The POST process runs quickly at the beginning of the boot sequence before the operating system loads. Therefore, you most likely will not notice it unless there is an error. If the POST process finishes without encountering any errors, your computer will boot up normally.

What are primary and secondary storage devices?

A computer stores data using several different methods. Therefore, there are different levels of data storage, which may  be referred to as primary and secondary storage. A computer's internal hard drive is often considered a primary storage device, while external hard drives and other external media are considered secondary storage devices.

However, primary and secondary storage may also refer specifically to the components inside the computer. In this case, primary storage typically refers to random access memory (RAM), while secondary storage refers to the computer's internal hard drive.

Is it possible to increase the number of available PCI slots on my computer?

Ans : Unfortunately, you can't increase the number of PCI slots inside your computer. The only option you have, other than buying another computer, is to get a PCI tower, which has multiple PCI slots. The tower connects to any PCI slot on your computer's motherboard. (For example, it could turn one slot into six.) However, these are typically only used by people that do high-end video editing, and they are pretty expensive.

How can I print to a printer connected to an Airport Base Station?

Ans: In orrder to print to an Airport printer, you first need to make sure your computer is connected to the wireless router (the base station) either wirelessly, or directly with an Ethernet cable. If you are using a Mac, you can simply select the Base Station from the drop-down menu by clicking the Airport icon in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. Windows should allow you to choose the Base Station if you click the wireless network icon in the systray, located in the lower-right part of the screen.

The second thing you need to do is make sure the printer drivers for the printer are installed on the computer. Your computer will not recognize the wireless printer if you have not installed the correct drivers. You should be able to use the disc(s) that came with the printer or download the drivers from the manufacturer's website. After installing the drivers, you may need to restart your computer.

Once you've installed the printer drivers and established a network connection with the Airport Base Station, you should be able to print to the wireless printer. Just select "Print..." in whatever program you want to print from and then choose the printer from the list in the dialog box that pops up. The computer should recognize the printer as if it was connected directly to the machine. Once you click "Print," the file will get sent to the Base Station and the printer connected to it will print the document.

What is the difference between the DVD-R and DVD+R formats?

DVD-R (pronounced "DVD dash R") and DVD+R (pronounced "DVD plus R") are nearly identical formats. The discs look the same and are both supported by most DVD-ROM drives and DVD burners. The only difference between the formats is the way they determine the location of the laser beam on the disc. DVD-R discs use tiny marks along the grooves in the discs, called land prepits, to determine the laser position. DVD+R discs do not have land prepits, but instead measure the "wobble frequency" as the laser moves toward the outside of the disc.

What is the difference between Firewire 1394a and 1394b?

Firewire is a high-speed digital interface that comes in two varieties - 1394a (or just 1394) and 1394b. The 1394a standard (Firewire 400) supports data transfer rates up to 400 Mbps and uses a 6-pin connection. The 1394b standard (Firewire 800) can transfer data up to 800 Mbps and uses a 9-pin connection.

An 6-pin to 9-pin adapter can be used to plug a 1394a cable into a 1394b port, but the speed will be limited to 400 Mbps.

Can I put my computer (tower) on its side, or does it need to stand up?

Ans : Not a good idea, The wires could hit the fans.

However, it won't cool quite as efficiently, but should be OK: lay it on it's right hand side if it's a conventional layout case so that the mainboard is lowermost & the processor fan can still dissipate heat. Don't put anything directly on top of it that'll block the vents in the side of the case or keep heat in.
I'd put some small rubber 'feet' on the 'bottom' & put it on a hard surface too.

What is a lost cluster?

A lost cluster, or file fragment, is a small amount of data that does not belong to any file. It does not have a file name and is not mapped to any directory. Because they are invalid files, these enigmatic pieces of data can be deleted with no harm done to the valid data on your hard disk. Lost clusters are usually created when your computer is shut down improperly (i.e. pulling out the plug while some files are copying), or when you eject or disconnect a removable drive before unmounting it.

Can I hook up two computers to one display or monitor?

Ans : You sure can. All you need is a KVM switch, which allows you to choose what computer is using the screen. You can have two PCs, a laptop and a PC, or even a Mac and a PC hooked up to the same display. Some KVM switches only switch the monitor input, while others allow you to switch the input for the keyboard and mouse as well. This means you can use the same screen, keyboard, and mouse for two different computers.

When buying a KVM switch, make sure it supports your monitor type (VGA, DVI, etc.) as well as the keyboard and mouse ports that your hardware uses (typically USB or serial). It is also smart to buy a KVM switch that comes with the necessary cables, since buying them separately can be surprisingly expensive.

If I hook up two monitors to my computer, can two people work on the system at the same time?

However, adding another screen does not enable two people to work on a single computer at the same time. Even if you connect two mice and two keyboards to the computer, the computer will not split up the input. Therefore, if one person moves her mouse to the right and the other person moves his mouse downward, the cursor on the screen will move towards the lower-right corner.

Working with two displays can help a single user be more productive, but will not allow two users to work independently on the same machine. The only way for two users to work simultaneously is to have to computers.

What does it mean to defragment a hard disk?

Ans : Over time, new files get written to your hard disk and old ones get deleted. When files are removed, gaps are created in the hard drive where new data can be written. Sometimes the new data doesn't quite fit in the gaps and some files get written in multiple areas on the hard disk. These files become "fragmented," meaning they consist of fragments of data. Because the hard drive has to scan multiple parts of the the disk to read a fragmented file, it can slow down the operation of the computer.

Defragmenting the hard disk cures this problem. A hard disk utility, such as Norton Utilities, can put file fragments together to create contiguous files. Contiguous files are read more efficiently by the hard drive and therefore lead to faster data access. Some defragmentation programs can also optimize the hard disk, which places similar files in similar locations. For example, program files are stored in one area, system files in another, and documents in another area of the disk. It is a good idea to defragment you hard drive about once a month during typical use.

Why does my hard drive make a lot of noise?

Ans : If your hard drive seems to be making more noise than usual, there is a good chance it has become fragmented. Hard drive fragmentation occurs when files and folders are moved around, added, copied, and deleted.

Your computer's hard drive stores information in blocks of data. When information becomes scattered on your hard drive, some files are written onto blocks that are not next to each other. This is known as file fragmentation. Your hard drive can still run when there are fragmented files on it, but it will run slower. This is because it has to scan more of the disk to access certain files. The extra scanning is what causes the hard drive to make more noise. When you start hearing an excessive amount of grinding from your hard drive, it is time to defragment it. A program like Norton Utilities will do this well.

Why does my hard drive spit and shutter so much even after I defragmented it?

It means you have some bad or corrupted blocks on your hard drive. The best thing to do is to run a disk utility program (like Norton Disk Doctor, part of Norton Utilities). This usually fixes problems such as bad blocks or corrupted disk directories. If the utility program can't fix it, you may have to reformat the hard drive, which means erasing all your data.

What does it mean to reformat a hard drive?

All hard drives, removable disks, CDs, DVDs, and other media need to be formatted in order for your computer to use them. The formatting process writes the basic directory structure onto the disk so that other directories and files can be added.

On a Windows computer, disks are formatted using the FAT32 or the newer NTFS file system. On a Mac, disks are typically formatted with the HFS or HFS+ file system. Once a disk is formatted, it can only be used by a computer that can read the disk's file system. Therefore, if you want to use a Macintosh-formatted disk with a Windows computer, you would need to reformat it using a Windows-compatible file system. Macintosh computers can read most Windows-formatted disks, but to use a hard drive on a Mac, you will need to format it using a Macintosh-compatible file system.

What is the difference between AGP and PCI graphics cards?

AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) cards serve the same purpose as PCI graphics cards. However, the AGP interface, which was created by our buddies at Intel, has become the more popular choice for PCs. Part of the reason for this is that AGP cards manage memory better than PCI cards. The AGP interface can actually use your computer's standard memory as well as the video memory to help boost video performance. So, if you have an AGP slot in your computer, I'd go with an AGP card. If you only have PCI slots, however, a PCI graphics card isn't going to be much different.

Why do videos run slow on my computer?

First of all, make sure you have the latest driver software for your video card. To get the latest version, you can go to the video card company's web site and download the driver update for free. I would suggest defragmenting the hard drive, since excessive hard disk scanning can prevent smooth audio and video playback. Also, you can have the latest software player.

How do find out how much RAM my computer has and how much it is using?

If you are using Windows, you can find out how much RAM you have by right-clicking the My Computer icon and selecting "Properties..." This will open the System Properties window and you can view the amount of physical memory installed under the General tab. You can find out how much memory your computer is currently using by right-clicking anywhere in the open space of the Taskbar and selecting "Task Manager." Then click the Performance tab of the window that opens and you will be able to view your memory usage.

How can I upgrade my computer to USB 3.0?

Yes, install PCI slot on your mother board which has USB 3.0

Why won’t my computer boot up after I installed new memory?

Installing memory, or RAM, is a great way to improve the performance of your computer. However, there are many types of RAM, and it is important to install the correct RAM when updating your computer's memory.

If you install the incorrect RAM in your machine, one of two things will happen. 1) The computer will boot up but will not recognize the new memory, or 2) The computer will not boot up at all. If you remove the new RAM and the computer boots up fine, it is pretty clear that the RAM is causing the problem.

What does it mean to “power cycle” a device?

Power cycling an electronic device is a technical way of saying "resetting" it. When you power cycle a device, you turn it off and then turn it back on again. Pretty high-tech, huh? Usually, you should let the device sit for a couple seconds after turning it off to make sure the memory in the device is fully cleared before turning it back on.

Any electronic device can be power cycled, but the term is frequently used with cable modems, DSL modems, and routers. This is because small internal errors in these devices can prevent them from functioning correctly. Resetting them typically fixes the errors and allows them to work correctly again.

Why is monitor’s screen blank when I start up my computer?

Ans : Check if Power cable of Monitor connected properly.

Check power button of Monitor.

If the power light is on and nothing comes up on the screen when you start your computer, it is possible you have a bad video card. Test the monitor on another computer to see if the display works with another video card. If it does, try starting up your computer in safe mode by holding down the F8 key as the computer boots up. This should solve any screen resolution or color setting conflicts that may prevent your monitor from displaying an image.

If the monitor is still blank when you start up in safe mode, you should open your computer (after unplugging it) and check to make sure your video card is seeded properly in the motherboard. If the video card is properly connected and the display still does not work, you will probably have to replace the video card in your computer. While high-end video cards can cost $500 or more, you can get a decent video card for about $100. Check you computer's manual to see if your computer uses a PCI or AGP video card before buying a new one.
If the monitor didn't work even when you connected it up to another machine, the monitor has probably gone bad.

I changed my monitor’s color settings and can’t see anything now. What should I do?

If you are using Windows, you can get your screen back by booting up in Safe Mode. Just hold down the F8 key while the computer is booting up and select "Safe Mode" from the list of boot options. The number of colors will be limited in safe mode, allowing you to see the display correctly. After successfully booting into Safe Mode, you should be able to restart your machine like usual.

If you are using Mac OS 9, hold down the Shift key while starting up and all Extensions will be turned off. This should help you avoid any display problems.
Mac OS X users fortunately do not have to worry about this problem, since the Displays System Preference only allows you to choose supported resolutions and color settings.

How can I connect my computer to a TV or television screen?

In order to connect your computer to a television set, you need the correct video output hardware on your computer. This can be composite video (a yellow RCA jack), S-video (a black 4-pin connection), or on newer models, a DVI port. These connections are usually found on the video card on the back of the computer, though some multimedia PCs have the ports on the front. If your computer does not have any of these ports, you will not be able to connect your computer to your TV unless you buy a multimedia video card.

What are some examples of computer peripheral devices?

A computer peripheral, or peripheral device, is an external object that provides input and output for the computer. Some common input devices include:

• keyboard
• mouse
• touchscreen
• pen tablet
• joystick
• MIDI keyboard
• scanner
• digital camera
• video camera
• microphone

Some common output devices include:

• monitor
• projector
• TV screen
• printer
• plotter
• speakers

There are also devices that function as both input and output devices, such as:

• external hard drives
• media card readers
• digital camcorders
• digital mixers
• MIDI equipment

While these are some of the more common peripherals, there are many other kinds as well. Just remember that any external device that provides input to the computer or receives output from the computer is considered a peripheral.

Why is the picture on my monitor fuzzy?

First of all, check to make sure there aren't any unshielded speakers or halogen lights near your monitor. These can really make your monitor do weird things. A television, audio receiver, or other electronics equipment nearby can also cause interference with your monitor because of the frequency of the signals they use. If there is nothing creating interference with the monitor, check the cable connections and make sure they are nice and tight. Also, try and get your wires as untangled as possible.

If none of these things seem to be the problem, your monitor settings may have been reset and you may have to make some adjustments using the control knob or buttons on the front of your monitor. The things you may need to adjust are your color settings, the convergence, and the moire settings. See your monitor's manual to see how to adjust these options.

How many monitors can I hook up to my desktop computer?

Basically, you need a separate connection for each monitor. So if you had 3 PCI slots open, you could add three video cards and three monitors, allowing you to have four total screens.

Some video cards have connections for multiple monitors, which would allow you to connect even more displays to your computer. (These cards usually support 2 or 4 monitors apiece.) I've heard of a Mac that ran 14 displays at one time, which is just ridiculous, but nonetheless, cool.

Why does my monitor display a “Sync. Out of Range” error message?

This happens when your screen resolution is set to something higher than what your monitor can display. For example, if your monitor supports resolutions of up to 1024x768 and your video card allows you to crank it up to 1600x1200, doing so will give you an error. Another reason you might get the error is if the refresh rate you selected a certain resolution is higher than what your monitor supports. The monitor can't "sync" with the video card, so it just gives you that "Out of Range" error. If you are sure you have your resolution set at a reasonable amount, make sure that your monitor is plugged in all the way. Actually, if you're like me, that might be the first thing to check. =)
If you are using Windows, hold down the F8 key while the computer is starting up and choose "Safe Mode" from the list of options that appears on the screen. This should force the display to be a low enough resolution so that it will work. On a Mac, hold down the Shift key while booting up to start with extensions off, and that will usually do the trick.

What does it mean when a computer is “low on resources?”

The resources a computer has are mainly processing speed, hard disk storage, and memory. The phrase "low on resources" usually means the computer is running out of memory. The best way to prevent this error from coming up is to install more RAM on your machine. Upgrading your RAM is the best performance booster you can give your computer, and it usually doesn't cost a lot.

What is the difference between physical memory and available memory?

Physical memory is how much RAM you have installed in your computer. For example, if you have two 512 MB memory chips in your machine, you have a total of 1 GB of physical memory. This memory is what your computer uses to load the operating system as well as individual programs and files.

Available memory refers to how much RAM is not already being used by the computer. Because loading the operating system takes up memory, your available memory drops right after your computer boots up. You can reduce how much memory the operating system uses by uninstalling system files or extensions that are often installed by utility programs.

What is the difference between memory and hard disk space?

Memory and disk space are two of the most widely-confused terms in the computing world. To understand how your computer works, you must first know the difference between memory and disk space.

The hard disk, sometimes called the "hard drive" (which is actually the mechanism that holds the hard disk), is a spindle of magnetic discs that can hold several gigabytes of data. Therefore, disk space refers to how much space you have available on your hard disk for storing files. When you save a document or install a new program, it gets stored on your hard disk. The more files you download, install, or save on your hard disk, the more full it becomes.

Memory, on the other hand, is not the same as disk space! Memory refers to the random access memory (RAM) inside your computer. RAM consists of small chips also known as memory modules. Your computer uses memory (RAM) to store actively running programs on the computer, including the operating system. For example, the operating system's interface and other processes get loaded into memory when the computer boots up. When you open a program like Microsoft Word, it gets loaded into the computer's memory as well. When you quit the program, the memory is freed up for use by other programs.

What is the difference between burning and ripping?

"Ripping" refers to extracting audio files off a CD and copying them to your hard drive. After ripping the audio, you can then convert the files to the more compressed MP3 format if you want.
"Burning" refers to the process of writing data onto a CD. You can burn both audio and data CDs, as well as DVDs, provided your computer has a CD/DVD burner.

Will a USB 1.0 or 1.1 device work with my computer that only has USB 2.0 ports?

Yes, but the data transfer speed will be slow.

What are the Alt (Option) and Control (Ctrl) keys for?

These keys on the keyboard are called "modifier keys." They are typically used in conjunction with another key on the keyboard to perform a specific function. For example, in Windows, Alt-F4 (press and hold Alt, then press F4) is often a shortcut to close the active window. Control-C is usually a shortcut to copy selected text or a selected object. Control-V is the shortcut for pasting the copied data.

What key do I press to enter the BIOS at startup?

Most Windows PCs allow you access the BIOS settings before the boot sequence completes. The good news is all you have to do is press and hold down a specific key on your keyboard. The bad news is that there is no standard key and it differs depending on the manufacturer of your computer.
While there is no universal key used to access the BIOS, below are some of the most common ones:

1. F2
2. F1
3. Esc
4. Delete

Immediately after starting or restarting your computer, you can try holding down one of the above keys to bring up the BIOS screen during the startup process. If you prefer to avoid the trial and error method, look closely at the startup screen for a message that says, "Press the [key] to enter Setup." Some systems will display the specific key you need to hold down. You also can check your computer's manual or the manufacturer's website for the specific key used to access the BIOS.

If holding the key does not work, you can try rapidly tapping the key while the startup screen is displayed. You can also hold down the space bar during the startup process. This should halt the boot sequence and display the "Enter BIOS" key.