When the computer boots, the BIOS opens, what should I do? Doesn't go into BIOS: what to do and how to force the computer to enter BIOS? Checking the disk drive

BIOS is the most important component of a computer, the activity of which is aimed at setting up the operation of the equipment, checking its functionality, launching the operating system, and more. One of the most unpleasant situations that a user may encounter is when the BIOS refuses to start.
Let's imagine a situation: suppose you decide to reinstall Windows on your computer, but in order to run the installation program, you need to enter the BIOS. You have made more than one attempt to enter the BIOS, and all of them were unsuccessful.

Another situation: when the computer starts, the user first sees the BIOS interface, after which the computer proceeds to load the operating system. In some cases, the user may not see any image at all, that is, neither the BIOS window nor anything else.

Reason 1: Wrong key (combination)

First of all, you should question the correct hotkey you are using to enter the BIOS. Unfortunately, you can only find out which key in your case is by experience, that is, it was not possible to enter the BIOS using one button, next time you should try another.

The process of entering the BIOS is as follows: you reboot the computer or simply turn it on and at the very first stage of turning it on, you begin to repeatedly and quickly press the BIOS hotkey.

There are a huge number of options for entering the BIOS (this is especially true for laptops), but in most cases you will find one of the following keys: F1, F2 and Del. If not a single key helps you enter the BIOS, try Googling the model of your motherboard (for a desktop PC) or laptop model on the Internet to find out how to enter the BIOS for your device.

Reason 2: Non-working or unsupported keyboard

And although in rare cases the user has the opportunity to enter the BIOS without a keyboard, in 95% of cases it is impossible to do without it.

Needless to say, a computer keyboard must be in good working order? Be sure to test the keyboard's functionality by logging into Windows or connecting it to another computer.

If everything is fine with the keyboard, then perhaps the problem is that the keyboard is not supported by the BIOS. As a rule, a similar problem is observed among users of old computers (laptops), and if you use a wired or USB keyboard, then this may well be the case.

If you have a wireless keyboard, then we will need to use a wired one to eliminate the possibility of such a problem. Especially older BIOS versions may not support the USB keyboard interface, but to check this, you will either need to connect an old keyboard with a PS/2 connector or purchase a PS/2 adapter for a USB keyboard.

Reason 3: USB port not working

The port to which the keyboard is connected must be working. Try connecting the keyboard to a different port and try entering the BIOS again.

Reason 4: conflicting devices

Try disconnecting everything you can from the computer: drives, hard drives or solid-state drives, all USB devices connected to the motherboard, PCI cards. If there is a built-in video card, then disable the discrete one, and then try to enter the BIOS again. If the attempt is successful, connect one device at a time to the computer to find out what is conflicting. Having identified a problematic device, it is this device that you will need to deal with (it is better to take it to a service center for diagnostics).

Reason 5: Computer malfunction

If, when you turn on the computer, the BIOS starts making sounds, but does not want to start, you should listen to the signals and record them. Often the BIOS uses such signals to make it clear what went wrong. There are a lot of tables on the Internet that decipher sound signals for different BIOS versions, using which you can quickly understand the cause of the problem and begin to fix it.

Reason 6: Problematic BIOS settings

As a rule, a similar cause of the problem occurs when the user makes changes to the BIOS. In this case, you should try returning the BIOS to factory settings. As a rule, in most cases you will need to look under the system unit case, where on the motherboard you can find a special switch (CMOS jumper), which is set to position 1-2. To perform a reset, just move the switch to position 3-4 for 15-30 seconds, after which you can return it to its previous position.

Reason 7: Problems with the motherboard

The most unfortunate cause of this problem is that the motherboard is practically the entire computer. If you suspect a problem with its operation, you can carry out a short diagnostic procedure.

First of all, you will need to inspect the motherboard itself: is there any oxidation, are the capacitors swollen. Any external changes indicate its malfunction, which means that all this must be eliminated. If there is oxidation, it must be carefully erased with an eraser. If the capacitors are swollen, they should be soldered with new ones.

If visually everything is fine with the motherboard, you should try the following:

1. Disconnect your computer from the network, and also remove all unnecessary devices: mouse, speakers, keyboard, any additional devices and cables. As a result, only a network cable and a monitor need to be connected to the system unit.
2. Reset CMOS. To do this, you should remove the battery from the motherboard for a few seconds and then install it back.
3. Remove all cards from all motherboard slots, leaving only the processor and speaker connected.
4. Start the computer and pay attention to the sound: if there is any sound, this tells you that the motherboard is working. If not, then everything is much sadder - she does not respond.

If you have confirmed your guess that the problem is in the operation of the motherboard, you should try to take it to a service center - it is quite possible that a specialist will be able to restore its functionality.

These are the main reasons that affect the BIOS not starting. If you have comments on the article, leave them in the comments.

The situation when a user turns on a computer or laptop and sees that instead of loading the operating system, the BIOS options setup program opens does not occur very often. However, it cannot be classified as a problem that the user has no chance of encountering. This problem is unpleasant because it makes it impossible to use the computer for its intended purpose.

It should be noted that not all BIOS provide automatic entry into the BIOS when turning on a computer or laptop. In most cases, if any faults are detected, the BIOS stops the computer or laptop from booting. Automatic entry into the BIOS is intended to indicate to the user that he must fix something in the BIOS before continuing.

It follows from this that the source of the problem, as a rule, is incorrect BIOS settings. First of all, overestimated values ​​of the frequency or voltage of the memory or processor can lead to spontaneous entry into the BIOS - if the user has been overclocking hardware components. In addition, many motherboards react by booting the BIOS to unexpected power outages, perceiving them as evidence of system instability due to overclocking.

Very often, spontaneous loading of the BIOS when you turn on your computer or laptop may indicate problems with the BIOS itself. In most cases, these problems can be caused by a faulty battery powering the CMOS memory. The problem may also appear when the hardware of a computer or laptop changes, for example, when installing a new video card.

And finally, you shouldn’t discount such a banal reason as a faulty keyboard or even just a single key that sticks. It is possible that a faulty keyboard constantly emits a signal that is interpreted by the BIOS as a signal from a key intended to enter the BIOS.

What needs to be done to fix the problem

If you are faced with a situation where the computer automatically loads the BIOS of your computer or laptop, then first of all you should try to restart the computer again. It is possible that you yourself could accidentally press the BIOS entry key when rebooting or turning on your computer or laptop. Also, the BIOS setup program may appear after a computer or laptop restart caused by an unexpected loss of power in the network.

However, if you are convinced that the cause of the problem is not a random error, then you should try other ways to fix it. First of all, you can try changing the keyboard. Then try to remember if you have made any changes to the BIOS before. If so, then the options you edited should be returned to their original values. The safest thing to do is reset the BIOS to default settings. You should also try removing recently installed cards from the computer, if any.

If this operation does not help, then you can try replacing the BIOS battery with a new one. Practice shows that in most cases changing the battery helps solve the problem. However, if the problem still persists, then we can most likely conclude that the cause of the situation is a faulty BIOS chip or motherboard.

Conclusion

The reasons for the situation when the computer spontaneously loads the BIOS instead of loading the operating system can be varied. This phenomenon can be caused by either incorrect BIOS settings or hardware failure. If the situation is not the result of a random failure, for example, caused by an external voltage surge, then in most cases the problem can be corrected by resetting the BIOS to default settings.

BIOS is the Basic Input/Output System, the heart of the computer, without which the normal operation of other components and software is impossible. When you turn on the computer, the BIOS starts first and only after it is turned on, the operating system starts loading.

Theoretically, since Windows boots after the BIOS, reinstalling the operating system or adding another OS should not affect the normal operation of the BIOS. However, there are often cases when an attempt to install a second operating system results in the BIOS not loading.

In this case, we can assume that the BIOS settings have gone wrong and restoring the default settings may solve the problem. To reset the settings, you need to perform the following operations.

1. Disconnect the PC and monitor from the electrical network.
2. Open the system unit and remove the battery from the motherboard.
3. Wait a few minutes.
4. Return the system battery to its place.
5. Connect power to the computer and monitor.

After restarting, the BIOS will start loading “like the first time”. If the problem goes away after this, it is recommended to format the boot hard drive and reinstall the operating system. Preferably one that has previously worked without problems. It is quite possible that the added operating system was damaged in the distribution.

Connection problems

There is a high probability that the BIOS does not load due to breaks in the power supply networks or data loops. To check this option, you first need to listen to see if the cooler on the motherboard is spinning. The BIOS is part of the processor and therefore poor cooling of the motherboard leads to malfunctions.

Perhaps the contact groups of the fan have come loose, which is why it does not work. After this, carefully inspect all cable and cable connections. Check to see if dust has accumulated on the motherboard or contacts. Dust is an excellent conductor of electric current, and it also creates electrostatic fields, to which electronics are very sensitive.

• Clean the device from dust using a vacuum cleaner and a brush.
• Sequentially disconnect the contactors and clean the terminals from dirt and oxidation. You can use a school eraser to clean the contacts.
• Check that all connectors are securely attached. It is likely that vibration caused the contacts to separate, and therefore the equipment stopped working correctly.

After the maintenance, you can try to start the computer again. The screen is black again and the BIOS won't load? Then we can assume that one of the internal modules is faulty. Including the motherboard itself could fail or need to be reflashed.

You can download the new firmware for the motherboard on the manufacturer’s official website. Updating the firmware is a difficult and quite risky task. Therefore, if you don’t know exactly what and how to do, it’s better not to take risks, otherwise you could ruin your entire computer, including the hard drives. It is better to contact the service center.

Faulty blocks in the computer

None of the above helped? Then the likelihood of hardware failure increases and you can start checking the blocks.
Disconnect and remove anything from the device that is not necessary for the computer to start. Leave only the motherboard, power supply and one of the RAM sticks. The computer will not work in this state, but it is possible to check the serviceability of the motherboard itself.
A common reason for the inability to start a computer is insufficient power from the power supply. For example, you replaced the motherboard with a more advanced one, which requires more electricity. However, the power supply remains old. Or so - additional hard drives or some other functional components were installed in the system unit. Energy consumption can increase quite significantly. Installing a more powerful power supply will solve the problem. If the issue, of course, is a lack of energy.

Often, loading the BIOS is prevented by a malfunction in the video card. If possible, you need to check the video card by replacing it with another similar one. Or install the video card in another computer. Here you need to look at the compatibility of the equipment. Otherwise, you won’t find the problem, but you may create new problems.

If the minimum configuration - motherboard, power supply, RAM socket - the system unit is working and the BIOS is loading, then the problem is in one of the removed modules. After installing and connecting the next unit, try turning on the computer again and see what happens. As soon as the BIOS stops starting again, we can assume that you have discovered a faulty unit. Now all that remains is to find a similar one and replace it.

In reality, everything often turns out to be much more complicated. For example, the computer sometimes boots and works quite normally, and then, for no apparent reason, it starts to fail. The problem can be either software or component failures.

Such periods of normal operation, alternating with the inability to load the BIOS, are typical for three types of problems.

1. Presence of microcracks on the motherboard. Because of this, contact periodically disappears.
2. The electrolytic capacitors on the motherboard or power supply have dried out. This malfunction mainly applies to old system units that have been in use for a long time. Sometimes faulty capacitors can be identified by characteristic swelling of the housing.

Poor contact in the connected wires. As already mentioned - the presence of dust, oxidation of contacts, insufficient pressure. If the contactors have fixing screws, they must be tightened completely. The opposite situation also happens - clamping screws that are tightened too tightly lead to deformation of the connectors and poor contact in the connection.

Even the most careful users will one day have to log into the basic computer system themselves. Being afraid and doing something wrong is normal, but the same cannot be said about the opposite reaction - the frivolity of beginners driven by the irresistibility of testing the microsystem in action. However, both some and other users may have a question: “The computer does not enter the BIOS: what to do,” even when the “same” service key for calling the basic microsystem of the computing device is used to enter. It will be interesting for everyone, even you an advanced user!

Introductory theory of "unstartability"

Let's leave the boring story about what a BIOS is and why it is needed at all... You need to know one thing - BIOS is not a place where you can thoughtlessly conduct experiments. Before changing any parameter or making a certain change in the operation of the microsystem, you need to understand that the result may be tragically unexpected. So let’s turn on our brains and get down to business.

Energy “CMOS problem” - the battery is dead

The one who knows what we are talking about will smile. Although it is not a fact that when the situation “The computer does not enter the BIOS” arises, a knowledgeable user will immediately pay attention to the battery that keeps the CMOS memory chip, so to speak, in good shape.

Sometimes an advanced computer engineer takes a roundabout route - he tries to reflash the BIOS or subjects the system to a kind of software “shock therapy”, loading various DOS utilities and trying to resurrect the “maternal instinct” of control system bootability.

In fact, the first thing you need to do when the problem we are considering occurs is to replace the CMOS battery and reset the BIOS settings to default values.

Where is the “main” battery located and how to reset the BIOS?

The location of the battery may depend on the modification of the computing device, its type and other design features of the device. If we talk about laptops, access to the battery is often incredibly difficult, since the battery is often hidden deep in the bowels of the compact device. However, turning to the material of the article, which is located , you can reset the BIOS settings without going through the difficult process of dismantling the laptop frame.

In the case of stationary computers, everything is much simpler - we disconnect the power cable from the system unit, remove the protective cover and, without much stress, we immediately find a large coin-type battery. Naturally, it must be dismantled and before installing a working battery in its place, close the battery contacts of the socket with any metal object (static, you know!). After that, proceed to the “reset user settings” operation.

Mechanical method - closing special connectors with a jumper or clicking on the “Clear” button

Some manufacturers provide the motherboards they produce with a special button, pressing which allows you to clear the CMOS memory and return the BIOS settings to, so to speak, their original state - factory. However, most motherboards are equipped with a more ascetic reset mechanism - a three-pin breaker, the location of which can be easily determined by the “CLR CMOS” marking.

So, in order (by default, we de-energized the computing device and removed the protective casing):

• Typically, the reset pin mechanism is located in close proximity to the CMOS battery. However, in the photo below, the jumper is located in a different place on the board.
  

• Working position of the jumper “1-2” - move the contactor one position forward/backward, in accordance with the markings on the motherboard. Regarding the graphic example (above picture), this is position “2-3”.
  

• Wait a couple of minutes and install a new battery in the battery connector.

• If the motherboard is equipped with a special button, activate it.

• Close the cover and connect the power cable to the system unit.

• Turn on your computer.

If everything went well, as they say, “Hurray”, then pressing the “necessary” button will take you to the basic settings interface, no - we continue to look for the reason.

Keyboard “passions”, or Why can’t I enter the computer’s BIOS?

Sometimes, especially with regard to portable electronics, the culprit of “uncontrollability” is the keyboard module itself. Make sure that none of the keys are stuck, that is, not in a closed (pressed) state.

Perhaps some unfortunate incident that happened the day before will come to mind - a spilled cup of coffee, for example.

In any case, it’s worth trying the “connecting an external keyboard via USB connector” option.

If the premises are correct, the keyboard module needs to be replaced. For desktop computers, the most acceptable test scheme is to connect a known-good keyboard to the PS/2 connector.

Complex case - “hard” problems

The inability of a computer system BIOS to start or complete a full initialization process may be caused by a malfunction of any hardware component of the computer. Most often, the reason lies in the incapacity of the hard drive. By the way, do not neglect the importance of sound signals (produced by the BIOS system). You can find out more about “beep” codes . This kind of knowledge greatly simplifies the process of finding a specific fault.

It is not uncommon for a favorable boot scenario to be disrupted by a malfunction of the front connection panel, to which external audio and other peripheral devices are connected. Try disconnecting the external controller connecting cable from the motherboard.

Check whether the problem “the computer does not enter the BIOS” has been resolved; if not, disconnect the hard drive and start the computer again. In the end, if possible, experiment with RAM strips - check their performance, so to speak, by alternating connections. All of the above also applies to laptops. Perhaps information from It will come in handy for you.

In addition to what has been said

So, you, dear reader, have become familiar with the basic methods for eliminating the reasons when the computer does not enter the BIOS. We dare to assure you that the described troubleshooting algorithm is the most optimal. However, if your BIOS has simply crashed, then you still cannot do without flashing the CMOS chip (see the article located ). Happy repairs to you!

Sometimes after some laptop models stop loading the operating system. Instead, when turned on, they immediately automatically enter the BIOS. There, if you look at the boot list (), you will notice that it is empty. That is, it does not have a hard drive, DVD drive, or bootable flash drive that you could insert into a USB port. Although they are all connected and can even be displayed in the BIOS among the connected devices.

What to do in this situation and how to return the laptop to working condition yourself at home?

Why is this happening?

In most cases, this situation occurs, as mentioned above, after resetting the BIOS settings. Moreover, it is not necessary to do this through the corresponding menu. It is enough to remove the battery from the laptop for a few minutes and disconnect it from the electrical network. Updating the BIOS and removing dust also often leads to its reset.

In some versions of laptops, especially after 2016, the BIOS contains various options, the incorrect installation of which will prohibit booting from a hard drive or flash drive. Therefore, when turned on, the laptop itself enters the BIOS, since it does not see a single device from which it could continue booting.

How to fix this situation?

To do this, in the BIOS settings that appear on the screen immediately after turning on the laptop, you need to find the option and disable it, that is, set it to Disabled. It may have a slightly different name, such as Fast Boot, and is usually located on the Advanced or Boot tab. On Asus laptops with UEFI, you need to press F7 in the main window to activate advanced mode.

Fast Boot Option

As soon as you have disabled Fast Boot, immediately save the settings with the F10 button, then restart the laptop and go into the BIOS again.

Next, on the Boot or Security tab (possibly in our case on other tabs), you need to find the option and also disable it by moving it to the Disabled state, and the UEFI and Legacy OS (CSM - Compatibility Support Module) (OS Mode Selection) parameter should be set to CMS OS or Other OS or Legacy.

Secure Boot Option

OS Mode Selection Option

Now we save the settings using the same F10 button, reboot and check. The laptop should start loading Windows.

If this does not happen, then try to find the Legacy Support option in the BIOS and set it to Enabled. Also, if there is a parameter, then you need to use it by selecting it with the “Enter” button and entering the code from the message that appears.

“Clear All Secure Boot Keys” option in BIOS

If all else fails?

In this case, there is a possibility of serious problems with the hard drive. You need to try to replace it with another one that is known to work.