Dell Latitude CPx -- frozen BIOS (not a password issue)

Hi,

I have an old Dell Latitude CPx, running Win2000 and BIOS version A16
-- the latest version. While recently trying to adjust some BIOS
settings, I must have screwed something up. Now I can't get past the
first BIOS page, and the laptop freezes -- the clock doesn't advance,
I can't go to the next page, and can't exit. In addition, the Service
Tag and Asset Tag are now blank, and the hard drive isn't
"recognized." I must reboot, and if I don't try to access the BIOS,
the laptop boots up just fine.

I tried reflashing the BIOS, with both the current version (A16) and
the previous version (A15) -- no change. The flashing was attempted
from both the floppy and from an executable. In fact, A15 didn't
"take," although the DOS window said the update was successful. I also
tried disconnecting and reconnecting the reserve CMOS battery -- no
change.

Any suggestions on what else I should try?

TIA,
Alex

.

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