Intel D945Gcz motherboard. Bios configuration jumper pins and jumper are missing. Three places for the pins are there, but no pins. Have been able to access BIOS configuration utility with F2 key during startup for 4 years. Now only get steady stream of beeps while holding F2 down. When releasing F2, windows XP installs as usual, but was unable to access BIOS. Was there an original modification I do not know of? [email protected]

Oh, there it is in the second problem you posted. Intel 945GCZ,

Hmmm, lemme see.................Junction 1 Header 3,

Dunno, the wonderful(?) motherboard manual doesn't state it.

The Southbridge chip is an Intel 82801 (ICH7)
Right next to the 4 SATA connectors. Are talking about that jumper block with 3 pins, next to it?

LEAVE IT ALONE!
That is the BIOS configuration jumper block.

Has three pins. The outline around number 1 pin is a square.
The outlines around pins 2 and 3 are circles.

Pin 1 is towards the outside of the motherboard. Towards the I/O area.
Should be that the jumper block is on Pins 1 and 2, for normal operation.

if this is a desktop/minitower, then there is a password reset jumper on the motherboard.
If it is a portable, then you will need to contact the tech support division of the manufacturer

I assume that you have the password? Restart your computer. As soon as you see the dell screen, hit the f2 key. This will take you into setup. Look through the different menus and you will find the password options somewhere. You should be able to disable it there.

Most motherboards have a set of pins near the BIOS battery which may be labelled CMOS. If there are three pins with a jumper on two of them, then remove the jumper and put it onto the other two pins. Leave this way for a few minutes and then return to the original position. This will usually reset the BIOS. Hope this helps,
www.PuterCare.com

Do not move any jumper pins when CPU is on,because it can damage the desktop or other components.
The front panel audio jumper block/connector is J8A1 and BIOS configuration jumper block is J8H3.

The jumper settings (if this is the one you are speaking about) are for clearing the BIOS (times, dates, hardware etc...). The diagram is probably showing the settings on which pins to jump when clearing.

Hope this helps.

Have you tried going into BIOS Setup, and in Boot Options, change the first boot device to CDROM?

Do you have the Motherboard Manual for your Intel D945GCZ?
This is Intel Support, and the download page for the Motherboard Manual.
It is a PDF file.

http://www.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/d945gcz/sb/CS-020793.htm

go to this site to visualize the motherboard layout as i'm about to describe below. Refer to pages 12-13 http://www.intel.com/assets/pdf/prodspec/dg31pr-tps.pdf

Note: Make sure to shut down your PC and unplug from power source.

- Look for Bios Setup configuration jumper block (the one marked X on the motherboard layout)
- You will see 3 pins with a jumper connecting 2 of the 3 pins.
- Ensure that the jumper is connected to pins 1-2 to set it to Normal mode

please refer to page 53 of the pdf file to check the pin configuration of the jumper block.

CLR_CMOS (Clearing CMOS Jumper) (next to the battery)

Use this jumper to clear the CMOS values (e.g. date information and BIOS configurations) and
reset the CMOS values to factory defaults. To clear the CMOS values, place a jumper cap on the
two pins to temporarily short the two pins or use a metal object like a screwdriver to touch the two
pins for a few seconds.
• Always turn off your computer and unplug the power cord from the power outlet before
clearing the CMOS values.
• After clearing the CMOS values and before turning on your computer, be sure to remove
the jumper cap from the jumper. Failure to do so may cause damage to the motherboard.
• After system restart, go to BIOS Setup to load factory defaults (select Load Optimized
Defaults) or manually configure the BIOS settings (refer to Chapter 2, "BIOS Setup," for
BIOS configurations).

Some MB's have a second jumper setting on the board to allow a technician to jump to a faster "trouble shooter" configuration. After any or no changes are made to the BIOS's configuration the BIOS wants the The tech to reset the jumper back to "Normal Mode" so the customer doesn't have an overclocked or "hyper"machine voiding it's warrantee. I have seen this on some mostly older boards including Intel's who are known for down speeding their MB's. Check the websit for the MB's manual and see if it tells you where the jumper is located. If not, Also try to update the BIOS to the latest version and this may resolve your problem. Hope so.