PowerEdge: How to boot into the BIOS or the Lifecycle Controller on your PowerEdge Server
Summary:This article explains how to enter in the System Menu (BIOS) of a PowerEdge Dell Server using the shortcut F2.
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Note: This article is part of the Server Tutorials: Support Tools, available here
To enter the BIOS, press a function <F> key. Which function key to press is dependent upon your specific server. The general guidelines are as follows:
<F2> Enables you to enter System Setup (BIOS).
<F10> Enables you to enter system services and starts Lifecycle Controller (for iDRAC/Lifecyle Controller enabled systems)
<F11> Enables you to enter Boot Manager.
<F12> Enables you to enter PXE Boot.
Press the wanted <F> key once every 2 s until you see confirmation on the screen that you are entering the correct mode. The <F> key menu is in the right of the screen, as shown in figure 1.
Figure 1.
Note: On older systems, you may not get confirmation. If you do not receive conformation of the mode on screen, then continue to press the correct key every 2 s until the mode is showing on screen.
On newer servers, you must press <F2> once when you see the Dell Splash screen. You should see confirmation of the boot mode in the upper right-hand corner.
Other BIOS may include the Remote Access Card or PERC controller. The method is the same. The 2s rule still applies. You still start at the Dell Splash screen. The only difference is the two key combinations. The POST of the server displays the needed two-key character required. <Ctrl>+<e> and <Ctrl>+<p> are popular for many Dell implementations.
Note: The DRAC can also be accessed by pressing <F2>.
The System Setup Main Menu allows you to configure:
Option
Description
System BIOS
Enables you to configure BIOS settings
iDRAC Settings
Enables you to configure iDRAC settings
The iDRAC settings utility is an interface to set up and configure the iDRAC parameters by using UEFI. You can enable or disable various iDRAC parameters by using the iDRAC settings utility. For more information about this utility, see Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller User’s Guide at Dell.com/idracmanuals.
Device Settings
Enables you to configure device settings (PERC, Network Card)