Can't Access Boot Options Menu

Hi Ray Heath,

By default, a Windows 8 shutdown is not a real shutdown. Instead, it is hybrid shutdown where contents of memory are saved to disk. This allows for a faster startup. However, turning on the PC after a hybrid shutdown does not allow for pressing F1 or F12 during startup. Try the steps mentioned below to enter the boot options menu:

• The first and primary method is through the PC Settings. Press the Windows key + I (capital “i”) and click Change PC Settings.
• Click the General option on the left and then click Restart now under Advanced Setup. This starts the normal restart process, which gets automatically interrupted as Windows is about to shut down.
• Instead of fully rebooting, the blue boot options menu displays. To access the options for refreshing or resetting your PC or to use the advanced tools, click Troubleshoot.
• You can choose to Refresh your PC, Reset your PC, or access Advanced options. In Advanced Options, click on Startup Settings and proceed.

You may also try this step:

• Press and hold the Shift key while selecting the Shutdown option in Windows 8. This will make the PC perform a full shutdown instead of a hybrid shutdown. Then F1 or F12 can be pressed successfully during startup.

Additionally, check the link below for information on how to get to the Advanced Startup Options in Windows 8 and what each of the options means.

Using the Advanced Startup Options in Windows 8 on a Dell PC: http://dell.to/1ae82My 

Please reply if you have further queries.

Thanks and regards,
Babita S
#iworkforDell 

For easy access to drivers, manuals and product updates, please visit our Support Site .

I wasn't clear regarding the problem. I can access the BIOS using F2

normally. What I cannot access the the UEFI boot options menu using the F12

key. It appears to function when the Dell logo splash screen is displayed

during POST and the F12 key hit. The progress bar completes its cycle and

"F12 boot options" is displayed in the lower right corner of the screen.

Then the rotating dots appear below the Dell logo and windows proceeds to

boot.

Regards... Ray Heath

Hi Ray,

Thank you for your reply.

Click on the link below for accessing the UEFI boot options menu in Windows 8.

Access UEFI (BIOS) System Setup from Windows 8: http://dell.to/17GHoXD

Please reply if you have further queries.

Thanks and regards,
Babita S
#iworkforDell 

For easy access to drivers, manuals and product updates, please visit our Support Site .

Dell Community Forum will be performing site maintenance between August 21st and August 23rd, 2013.  You may also reach us on Facebook and Twitter for Support.

The "UEFI Firmware Settings" option does not appear in the Advanced Options menu. The remaining 5 options appear as shown in the link you provided. If you can instruct me on how to attach a .jpg photo to a reply, I can show you a photo of the screen.

Ray

Hi Ray,

Thank you for your reply.

I apologise for the delay in my reply as the Dell Community was down due to site maintenance. If the BIOS setting is not changed to native UEFI mode boot prior to installing, Windows 8 Pro will install; however, the following Windows 8 Pro functionalities will not work as they rely on a native UEFI mode boot.

• Secure Boot
• Seamless Boot experience
• Network unlock for Bitlocker for systems with a Trusted Platform Module (TPM).
• eDrive support

Generally, Boot Mode option is selected in the Boot Settings screen of the System Setup program. Once you specify the boot mode, the system boots in the specified boot mode and you install your operating system from that mode. Thereafter, you must boot the system to the same boot mode (BIOS/Legacy or UEFI) to access the installed operating system. Trying to boot the operating system from the other boot mode will cause the system to halt immediately at startup.

If you want to check whether your system is set to boot in Legacy or UEFI mode, try the following steps:

• Press the  Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog, type msinfo32, and press Enter.
• In the right pane of System Summary in System Information, see if the BIOS Mode value says Legacy or UEFI.

OR

Access the System Setup by pressing on startup. Go to the Boot Tab in the System Setup screen and check whether the Boot Mode Option is selected to UEFI  or Legacy.

Also, what option are you looking for in the Boot Menu Options? You may find the link below helpful in case you are trying to enable booting from DVD option.

How to enable boot from DVD option with UEFI boot mode enabled. (Windows 8): http://dell.to/152QHOK

Please reply if you have further queries.

Thanks and regards,
Babita S
#iworkforDell 

For easy access to drivers, manuals and product updates, please visit our Support Site .

This seems to be a degrading situation. This morning I can no longer get into BIOS , which I had been able to do in the past few days.  msinfo32 indicates I am in UEFI boot mode which is consistent with what I saw displayed the last time I was in BIOS. 

Regards.. Ray

Hi Ray,

Thank you for your reply.

Please let us know if you have re-installed the operating system on your computer? If in case yes, did you install in UEFI mode & partition the drive for UEFI install?

Also, please remove the battery and AC Adapter. Press the power button down to drain residual power and then try accessing the System setup screen after reconnecting the AC Adapter only.

Awaiting your reply.

Thanks and regards,
Babita S
#iworkforDell 

For easy access to drivers, manuals and product updates, please visit our Support Site .

No, I have NOT reinstalled the OS. What I have done is clone the original hard drive to an SSD. The UEFI and BIOS worked normally with the SSD installed. This was over 3 months ago.

I tried installing the original drive (which was in its factory configuration) and was still unable access either UEFI or BIOS.

This anomaly just began on its own, as near as I am able to determine. Additionally, as previously stated, the BIOS access (F2) was working and just stopped.

Regards... Ray

Hi Ray,

Thank you for your reply.

Generally, irrespective of whether the system is able to boot to the desktop or not and even if there is no hard drive in the computer, the computer is able to access the System Setup screen on tapping F2 continously at start-up. Alongwith the system not booting, you are also not able to access BIOS now, hence please remove all external peripherals, battery and ac adapter from the computer. Release flea power by pressing the power button down for about 30 seconds. Reconnect only the ac adapter and see if the issue gets replicated.

Also, try connecting an external USB keyboard to the computer to check if the system is able to access the options using the external keyboard.

To check for hardware failure, start the ePSA Pre-boot System Assessment by pressing and the power button. Press and hold the key while pressing the power button, then release both. You can also click on the link below for steps to run the diagnostics and troubleshoot your system.

http://dell.to/19YX52h

Please keep us posted on the results.

Thanks and regards,
Babita S
#iworkforDell 

For easy access to drivers, manuals and product updates, please visit our Support Site .

To correct this statement in your last post "Along with the system not booting". There has never been a problem booting into Windows. The anomalous behavior is limited to no response from the F2, F12 and now the Fn keys during POST when the Dell splash screen is displayed. The only response is the appearance of a blue progress bar under the Dell logo and "F12 Boot Options" in the lower right side of the screen. Then the system continues into Windows.

I tried all of your suggestions with no response on any of them. Holding the Fn key when powering up had no response. Running on battery only or AC adapter only had no effect. Holding the power button with no power source connected had no effect on subsequent behavior.

I repeated all the above testing with the original HDD installed. Additionally, my normal use is with an external keyboard connected via USB. I ran all checks with and without the keyboard connected.

To summarize.. Unable to access BIOS (F2), UEFI boot options (F12), nor Diagnostics (Fn). Attempting any of the foregoing results in continuing to boot into Windows. This behavior is consistent with both the cloned SSD and the original HDD installed.

Regrads... Ray

 Hi Ray,

Thank you for your reply.

Please try the steps mentioned below to disable Fast Startup. You may also click on the first link below for screenshots.

• Go to Control Panel>All Control Panel Items>Power Options
• Click/Tap on the Change settings that are currently unavailable.
• Under Shutdown Settings, Uncheck the option for "Turn on fast startup) to disable Fast Start up.
• Instead of Shutdown, click on Restart to reboot to Windows and then try accessing the F2 Option.

How to Turn "Fast Startup" On or Off for a Hybrid Boot in Windows 8:  http://bit.ly/SLxKPl

If this does not help, please re-seat the CMOS battery. Try this step only if you are comfortable dis-assembling the system chassis. Read the information in the "Before You Begin" section before you attempt re-seating the CMOS battery.

Product Manual for Inspiron 17R 5720: http://dell.to/17tLkv2

Please keep us posted on the results.

 Babita_S
#iworkfordell
To know more about Dell Product Support, Drivers & Downloads, Order & Dispatch status -> choose your region US Customers; UK Customers; India Customers. For Dell support videos click Here.

Shutdown settings do not display Fast Boot option. Shows only Sleep and Lock.

Rather than reseat the CMOS battery, I installed new one. No change in startup behavior relative to F2 and F12 keys not responding.

This may or may not be relevant, but I notice whether I hit the F2 or F12 key during POST, the note F12 Boot Options is displayed in the lower right corner of the screen.

Regards.  Ray

Hi Ray,

Thank you for your reply.

By design, Windows RT does not support pre-boot diagnostics or a BIOS option. However, there is a recovery mode. Before attempting a system recovery, make sure that the system is fully charged and is not in a hung state by pressing and holding the power button for 10 or more seconds, then attempt to boot the device by pressing the power button for 2 to 3 seconds. If it will not boot, press and hold the power button for 10 or more seconds to ensure that it is off.

1. Hold the volume-up button and then press the power button for 2-3 seconds.
2. Release the power button while continuing to hold the volume-up button until you see a recovery boot message on the screen.
    
3. At this point, you may release the volume-up button and wait for the Windows Recovery Mode to boot.
4. Follow the onscreen instructions to refresh or reset the device. Resetting the device will restore it to out-of-box condition and usually takes from 10 to 15 minutes to complete. Once completed, you will have to go through the Windows initial setup sequence again. Refreshing the device will maintain your files and settings while attempting to clean up problems with the operating system. Refresh can take up to 30 minutes or more to complete. 

Please try the steps mentioned above. Click on the links below for further troubleshooting steps and useful information. In the meanwhile, I will research further on this issue.

Using the Advanced Startup Options in Windows 8 on a Dell PC: http://dell.to/1fwiTzB

Microsoft Windows RT Frequently Asked Questions  http://dell.to/19eVfGh

Thanks and regards,

Babita S
#iworkfordell
To know more about Dell Product Support, Drivers & Downloads, Order & Dispatch status -> choose your region US Customers; UK Customers; India Customers. For Dell support videos click Here.

I fail to understand why you are bringing Windows RT into this discussion. I am running Windows 8.

Please clarify.

Regards... Ray