Windows 7: Unable to get to BIOS

I have a new Alienware PC from Dell and I am trying to get to the BIOS to make a few changes. From the doc, I understand that I need to hit the F2 key when the prompt is displayed, but it never is. Nor is the prompt to boot in safe mode. If I start using the F2 key early, the system just presents a black screen and the PC seems to stop. If I am too late, it boots normally.

I'm feeling that maybe behind that black screen is the BIOS but since I am using HDMI from my graphics board to the monitor, maybe there is a problem with the monitor displaying that primitive a signal. Any thoughts.

Hook up a normal display until you get BIOS setup as you want it?

Hi,

BIOS access can be very cranky. Tapping twice a second, tapping once a second, holding key down, tapping every 2 seconds, etc.

Finally got to the bottom of the problem. The PC has two graphic boards. One had 2 dvi and an hdmi exposed. The second board a cover over the connectors. The instruction suggested that I use the one that was exposed. Wrong! The Dell tech said she knew it was odd but that I should try the other board. And when I did, a new screen came up and it included the F2 bios choice and the F12 boot choice. So if anyone else doesn't see the F2/F12, try another connection!