Did you try F10 at the compaq start screen? Mine is a 6000 but F10 works for mine This document pertains to Compaq Presario Desktop PCs.
The Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) contains the code required to control the basic hardware associated with the computer, such as keyboards, display screens, and disk drives. The BIOS is generally used for disabling or enabling devices or device functions. Changes in the BIOS affect the computer even before the operating system has a chance to recognize the device.
Use the following instructions to open the BIOS:
# Press the Power button to start the computer.
NOTE: Pressing F10 opens the BIOS of Compaq Presario desktops 2001 and earlier.Pressing F1 opens the BIOS of the S3000 series, 6400 series, and 2002 models of Presario desktop computers.
# Immediately press the F10 or F1 key repeatedly on the keyboard when the logo screen displays.
Figure 1: logo screen
# If a language selection screen appears, select a language and press Enter .
Figure 2: Example of BIOS page (in English)
F2
F10 on the splash screen apparently enters the BIOS. Search hp.com for the model and download the manual, it will be in there.
post
CMOS controls the basic functions like the clock and is accessed through BIOS by pressing Del or f1 or f2 during startup
Cmos ram
That would be during the POST (Power-On Self Test)
To manage simple devices (system BIOS)To start the computer (startup BIOS)To change settings on the motherboard (CMOS setup).
The CMOS RAM, or computer motherboard operation system with rapid access memory can be accessed through the bios during startup. Typically repeatedly pushing the key F10 with give access.
These settings are stored in the computer's BIOS. Sometimes it is also referred to as CMOS.
After taking apart the laptop (see instructions at http://www.takeitapart.net/forum/index.php/topic,5.0.html) I found there is a CMOS battery under the keyboard, but it is soldered to the motherboard. This doesn't make it useful as a reset. I did not find a jumper or any other reset switch internal to the laptop. My research seems to suggest that holding the power button for 30 seconds is supposed to reset the CMOS. Unfortunately, that did not help in my case, but may for yours. Regards, JC -- www.cippguide.org
Not so much a CMOS battery, but the data in NVRAM (startup-config) is in some models powered by a battery, which is pretty much the equivalent. In other models (among them the 2600 series) NVRAM is implemented with an EEPROM which does not use a battery.
False. Although they can be set to the same password, they are not otherwise connected.