Cannot access BIOS - IdeaCentre Gaming5 17IAB7

Windows ver 23H2
Build 22631.3447

The Lenovo forum threw in the towel.
After installing Reflect (paid) home, creating a rescue flash drive and doing an initial image- I wanted to be sure the USB was set as #2 in the boot order. And to confirm that the machine would boot from the USB to Reflect.
I first tried the correct Function key to enter the BIOS. I did interrupt the boot but the screen remained black-no drive or USB activity.
I then tried the Shift/Restart approach with the same result.
And lastly the Terminal option but that one once a black screen appeared the computer then went to directly to the blue Windows login screen.

Just from the peanut gallery here... it looks like all three of the optional methods point to the same screen that offers various multi screen repair/entry options. And from there is where things go sideways.

Suggestions?
Mark

To be clear, you can boot into bios when the usb is not inserted? If so then the issues seems it would be with the usb or your boot options in bios.

You can access UEFI firmware setup screen by holding Shift key while clicking reboot option From Start Menu.
Click Troubleshoot. Click Advanced options. Select UEFI Firmware Settings.

Glad you mentioned-- I was not complete.

Not only can I not get into the BIOS by the methods previous, But my Reflect Rescue USB just created will not boot the computer.

Use Qemu Simple Boot to see if USB flash drive bootable.

'You can access UEFI firmware setup'...
That was the second option I tried. It appears to me that all the 3 methods to enter the BIOS despite having different ways to get THERE, the 'there' seems to be a common 'bridge' that finally, within the boot structure, triggers BIOS entry and I have to believe that that bridge is corrupted.
Make any sense?
And even If I did an in place reinstall (leaves your programs and data alone) that's for Windows but does it also include the booting coding?
Mark

Regarding Qemu--

If I understand the util - with the Rescue USB inserted and I run the program and point to the USB the util will test and say if the USB should or should not properly boot?
Will it also test the computer's boot code for that link to the BIOS?

Qemu-

I should have just read the readme file before my last post - my bad.
However, I'm not real sure of what the test meant. I'll insert the screenshot below. I think it's saying the test failed because there wasn't enough spare space on the Reflect rescue USB to run. If so, I'll install the rescue on a larger flash drive.
BUT, I think what I really need here is a diagnostic of the laptop's booting system - No?
Mark

Macrium Rescue disk only require about 800+ MB to build.
- From your system spec, You use Bitfender and VPN. Temporary turn those off, rebuild the rescue disk to see if it helps.
- You can also try by adding Windows Macrium Rescue as dual boot with Windows to see if it would boot into Macrium Rescue
- If still fail. Download a portable version of Disgenius, unzip to desktop then run:
From Tool Menu->Set UEFI BIOS Boot Entries, you'd get a screen as shown. On top left is the list of all bootable devices, hi-lite Macrium then put a check mark on "Boot this entry only next time" then click on Restart.
- If you want to enter BIOS, put a check mark on "UEFI BIOS ...." then click on Restart

If all fail then the BCD might be corrupted.

Thanks for the super instructive/alternate option suggestion. I'll be printing it off and going to it.

BTW, just to be thorough, I formatted another Sandisk to 233GB. Then to Reflect which again formatted and yes it made no sense before and none this time to get the same error message. I'll now be following your instructions.

Please keep in mind that I only realized I couldn't boot off the rescue media as ancillary to getting the damn machine to going into the BIOS for the purpose of being certain the USB was listed as #2. But that's for after the way above.

Mark

I'm afraid snake eyes--

Macrium didn't appear on my Reflect list per attached.

Oddly, the USB does appear in File Explorer and the Disgenius main menu.

What's involved in repairing/replacing the BCD?

Mark

I am sorry. That what my screen looks. Yours is different, On diskgenius main screen E: drive is your Macrium Boot disk, yes ?
Hi-lite on Boot 0002:UEFI:Removable Device. What do you see on the RHS screen ? The Boot file: \EFI\BOOT\BOOTX64.EFI
If it is then try to boot from it.

BTW, did you try to boot to BIOS by putting a check mark shown on the screenshot then click restart.

Comment-- Please understand I may sound more conversant than you think.

Connie will be using her (with unknown problems to her and best for all involved) machine for the balance of *my evening. So I will not be able to try anything until tomorrow morning.

Yes, the util reports the E:/ drive which as the USB reflect boot drive. On Reflect's screen there is no mention of 'E', I don't understand what you mean by 'What do you see on the RHS screen ? The Boot file: \EFI\BOOT\BOOTX64.EFI If it is then try to boot from it'. Actually, not understanding is an understatement.

And no, I didn't check off anything remotely similar to booting from BIOS given what I currently don't understand and the current state of failure.

But, man, I sure as H*ll appreciate your hanging in with me .

Mark

Here's the screen shot. When you hi-lite a bootable device on the left, The box on the right change to indicate which HD, the partition # and what file it will boot it from.
In my case, For Macrium, It is H: Drive, Disk 3, Partition #4 and the boot file is BOOTX64.EFI

One clarification that will help.
If the computer is to boot from the USB rescue media, then why is any reference to a hard drive remotely consequential?

You could try your one-time boot menu.

Markg2 said:

One clarification that will help.
If the computer is to boot from the USB rescue media, then why is any reference to a hard drive remotely consequential?

Click to expand...

Not sure I understand your question. If you ask about the HD from my screenshot ? My PC is setup differently and indeed it is from a HD, not from a USB. As you can see, I have multiple bootable devices in my PC ie. Linux, Windows 10 & 11 Installation, Macrium and DisKGenius, All partitioned in a single internal HD so I can boot any of them from the Boot Mneu much faster than from a USB.

You answered the question.

I've followed both your instructions. The attached shows what's up when I click on EUFI removable. I selected the requested one time boot and the result was the computer came back to the per-Windows selection- Win11 or Reflect.

Sorry to get back to you late, been a little busy.
Look at the last post, the RHS is empty -> No boot device.
That left 2 possibilities:
1 - The UEFI firmware is corrupted. In this case you may have to reset your BIOS to default settings. Find out from your User Manual on how to do it. I don't have the spec of your PC but certain MB like mine having an option For fast boot, when enabled It will not check for most connected devices, also it will disable the functionality of Function Key used to access Boot Menu. As seen in the screenshot of my MB BIOS:
In addition, Control Panel > System and Security > Power Options and turn off Fast Startup
2 - The BCD is corrupt;
Re-create the BCD is easy but at this point, I'll be reluctant to suggest because you don't have a backup image of your current Windows,if something goes wrong, you won't be able to boot up Windows So let us try to reset the BIOS and see if you can access the Boot Menu with the Function key.