Can't edit BIOS settings

[nickfie]

I have a M810CLMR v7.1c mobo with 900 MHz DURON. I'm running WIN XP, have 256 MB RAM, 40 GB HD Maxtor on primary master, SAMSUNG CDRW on secondary master and AOPEN DVD on secondary slave.
My PC boots normally, but when I want to go in the BIOS set-up mode (after DEL during boot-up), the set-up screen opens, but it seems not to respond to the keyboard (it's stuck). The only thing I can do is reboot. In most cases it does become active the second time. After bulding in a 2nd HD as primary slave, I always have the BIOS set-up problem. Simply cannot control the BIOS.
Any thoughts anyone?

[NickS]

1. Is it OK if you disconnect the HDD ?
2. Does it freeze at the CMOS setup menu or at the standard CMOS setup (time/date/drive type) page ?

[nickfie]

HDD disconnect doesn't change it
It freezes right after the set-up window appears after holding the del key at boot-up.

I think I may have found the cause: I took out the sound card (Hercules
Muselite) and now this does not happen anymore.

However, the Mobo still does not recognize my HD.