Essentially, what occurred was that the individual was utilizing Windows 10 on an Acer Predator G9-791 computer and made some changes in the BIOS. They switched the boot mode from UEFI to Legacy and restarted the laptop, but were only able to see a smaller logo during the boot process that read “(Acer Predator image) Predator,” with nothing happening afterwards.
The issue is that they cannot switch the boot mode back to UEFI, and are unable to access BIOS using the F2 key, despite trying different keys such as del, esc, and f1-12. They need help on what to do. Additionally, when they removed the SSD with Windows, the computer booted to some sort of terminal and continues to display a message:
Intel UNDI, PXE-2.0 (build 083) Copyright (C) 1997-2000 Intel Corporation.
For Qualcomm Athernos PCIE Ethernet Controller v2.1.1.5(03/15/13).
Check the connection! PXE-M0F: Exiting PXE ROM. No bootable
device — insert boot disk and press any key
TL;DR: After changing my boot system to legacy, I am no longer able to access BIOS.
3 Answers
Introduction
BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is a firmware that initializes and tests hardware components in a computer during the startup process. It also provides a user interface to configure system settings, such as boot sequence, time, and date. However, sometimes changes made to the BIOS can result in unexpected problems, such as the inability to access BIOS after switching to legacy boot mode. In this blog post, we will discuss the possible causes of this issue and provide solutions to help you regain access to BIOS.
Possible Causes of the Problem
Switching from UEFI to Legacy boot mode can cause problems with accessing BIOS, especially if the computer was originally configured with UEFI. This is because UEFI uses a different method to access the BIOS than Legacy boot mode. Additionally, there may be issues with the keyboard or motherboard that prevent access to BIOS.
Another possible cause of the problem is corruption of the BIOS firmware. This can occur due to a failed BIOS update or a virus/malware attack. In such cases, the computer may not be able to boot properly, and the user may be unable to access BIOS.
Solutions
There are several solutions to regain access to BIOS after switching to legacy boot mode. Here are some of the most effective ones:
1. Use the Clear CMOS Jumper
Clearing the CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) can reset the BIOS to its default settings and allow access to it. This can be done by using the Clear CMOS jumper on the motherboard. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Turn off the computer and unplug it from the power source.
2. Open the computer case and locate the Clear CMOS jumper on the motherboard. It is usually near the battery and labeled as “CLR_CMOS” or “CLRTC.”
3. Move the jumper from its default position to the “Clear” position and wait for a few seconds.
4. Move the jumper back to its default position and close the computer case.
5. Plug in the computer and turn it on. Press the appropriate key (usually F2) to access BIOS.
2. Remove the CMOS Battery
If your motherboard does not have a Clear CMOS jumper, you can remove the CMOS battery to reset the BIOS. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Turn off the computer and unplug it from the power source.
2. Open the computer case and locate the CMOS battery on the motherboard. It is usually a small, round battery near the edge of the motherboard.
3. Use a flat object, such as a screwdriver, to gently pry the battery out of its socket.
4. Wait for a few minutes and then reinsert the battery.
5. Close the computer case and plug in the computer. Turn it on and press the appropriate key (usually F2) to access BIOS.
3. Use a Different Keyboard
Sometimes, the keyboard may be the cause of the problem. Some keyboards may not be recognized by the computer during the boot process, preventing access to BIOS. To rule out this possibility, try using a different keyboard and see if you can access BIOS.
4. Flash the BIOS
If none of the above solutions work, you may need to flash the BIOS. This involves updating the BIOS firmware with a new version. However, flashing the BIOS can be risky and should only be done if you are confident in your abilities. Here are the steps to flash the BIOS:
1. Download the latest BIOS firmware from the manufacturer’s website and save it to a USB drive.
2. Insert the USB drive into the computer and turn it on.
3. Press the appropriate key (usually F2) to access BIOS.
4. Navigate to the “BIOS Update” or “Flash BIOS” option and select it.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to flash the BIOS with the new firmware.
5. Contact the Manufacturer
If none of the above solutions work, it may be time to contact the manufacturer for assistance. They may be able to provide additional solutions or offer to repair the motherboard if necessary.
Conclusion
Accessing BIOS is crucial for configuring system settings and troubleshooting problems. However, switching to legacy boot mode can prevent access to BIOS, causing frustration and inconvenience. By following the solutions outlined in this blog post, you can regain access to BIOS and get your computer back up and running. Remember to always be careful when making changes to the BIOS and follow best practices to avoid problems in the future.
It sounds like you may have inadvertently changed the boot order in the BIOS, causing the computer to try to boot from a device that is not bootable or does not have an operating system installed.
To fix this issue, you will need to boot the computer using a bootable USB or CD/DVD that contains a recovery or installation image of the operating system. You can then use the recovery or installation tools to repair or reinstall the operating system and restore the boot settings.
If you don’t have a bootable USB or CD/DVD, you can create one by downloading an ISO image of the operating system from the manufacturer’s website and using a tool such as Rufus to create a bootable USB drive.
Once you have a bootable USB or CD/DVD, you will need to enter the BIOS settings and change the boot order to prioritize the USB or CD/DVD as the first boot device. To do this, you will need to press the appropriate key to enter the BIOS settings during the boot process. The key to enter the BIOS settings is usually F2, Del, or Esc, but it can vary depending on the manufacturer and model of your computer.
Once you have entered the BIOS settings, navigate to the boot menu and change the boot order to prioritize the USB or CD/DVD as the first boot device. Save the changes and exit the BIOS settings, and the computer should boot from the USB or CD/DVD. From there, you can use the recovery or installation tools to repair or reinstall the operating system and restore the boot settings.
To solve the issue, I followed these steps:
- Take out the SSD/HDD that has Windows10 (or any other) boot drive.
- Turn on the computer and continuously press the F2 key (or the key required to access BIOS).
- The BIOS should appear on the screen now.
- Inside the BIOS, switch the boot system to UEFI. If this option is not available, reset the BIOS settings to their default factory values.
- Power off the computer.
- Reconnect the boot drive.
- The computer should now boot into Windows (or any other operating system).
Even though I’m not sure why I couldn’t access BIOS right away without removing the SSD, this solution worked for me.