Z420 unable to get into bios settings

[demusss]

I have 2nd hand Z420 motherboard with PSU. Its not in a case so I know I'll get messages about fans and USB not connected.

I'm trying to get into the BIOIS to check and change any settings, but when I press F10 it just says Entering startup menu but doesn't do anything.

I can get the Blue startup menu and select diagnostics, system information and they work but I can't get into Computer Setup it just doesn't do anything.

I'm using a PS2 keyboard. I've reset the BIOS using the button. I've done the password reset jumper in case it was that.

The system will boot up into Linux so it does work, I just can't get into the BIOS settings.

Any suggestions?

[SDH]

I don't know if that is just too many error messages for your BIOS to handle. BIOS can get internally corrupted, and it sometimes takes more than a yellow button push to clear that. Unplug from mains and all peripherals of all types, remove your CMOS battery, push and hold your front on/off button for 30 seconds, release, push and hold the yellow reset CMOS button for 30 seconds, release, wait a while, repeat, wait, repeat a few more times. This "deep" CMOS reset can clear the corruption, and get you to factory default presets. You're trying to deplete all capacitors via this method... power can feed back into the motherboard via a video cable from even a "turned off" monitor.

When you reboot if you get the message that you need to reset date and time then you know that worked. 

A stripped down Z420 from eBay is quite inexpensive these days, and you'd want the v2 type that can run the better faster v2 processors and faster memory. I just checked... about 100.00 or even less, including shipping. These are sometimes found via searching for Z420 bare bones.

Good luck on your project...

[demusss]

Thanks for the quick reply. I don't know what you suggested worked or if it was me not pressing F1 but I got into the BIOS

I was able to install windows and every time I boot up I have to press F1 to start the boot process. Probably because of the error messages.

After doing as you suggested, I restarted the PC got the Startup menu, pressed F10. "F1 Boot" appears on the screen so I just pressed F1 to boot and the BIOS settings appeared.

I can get a cheap v1 in a case. This board is a v2 off ebay which I'll put in the case.