Cannot access BIOS - IdeaCentre Gaming5 17IAB7

If the UEFI is corrupted, then how could the machine boot at all?

Unfortunately, the method to reset the BIOS to default is the F9 key once *in the BIOS. Would flashing a newer BIOS be similar or would the new BIOS pickup all settings of the one it's replacing?

When you do an inplace reinstall of Windows would that have any positive effect on the problem?

I do have the image created last week before testing the rescue USB. So the image is present but if all goes sideways as you say, I then cannot get to the image.

i may have to ask the Lenovo forum or Macrium this question. Connie has hardly used her Lenovo Win11 laptop Slim 7 16IAH7 purchased at the same time as the desktop. Could I install her image on the laptop? If so then I'd have her machine successfully imaged and could do the BCD repair?

Lastly the following is the Lenovo method for on/off fast start:
Right-click the Start menu and select Windows Terminal (Admin). 2. In Windows Terminal, enter powercfg /h on or powercfg /h off to turn fast startup on or off, then press Enter.,

In any event I'd think that turning off (if on) the fast start is the easiest failsafe first try. No?

Mark,

You'll get better help if you post your diagrams in your posts instead of putting them inside attached pdf files.
See Option 1 of Upload and Attach Images and Files in Post - ElevenForumTutorials

This is Mark's diagram from post #19.



These are Mark's diagrams from post #11.





Best of luck,
Denis

Thanks Denis and you're obviously correct. It's been a while since I've posted here. I had gotten used to a restriction on another site for posting jpg's directly and they had to be in a Word or PDF file.

Mark

Mark,

Understood.
And you can go back to your posts #11 & #19 and copy the images into them.
Right-click on one of them where I've posted them above, select Copy image then go to one of those posts, click on Edit then position your cursor in a suitable place & right-click, Paste.


Denis

---

Oh, and welcome to ElevenForum.

It's really worth making time to browse through the ElevenForum Tutorial index - there's a shortcut to it at the top of every ElevenForum page [within the Tutorials dropdown list].
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For MSOffice problems search in and, if necessary, create threads in the TenForums MSOffice section [ElevenForum does not have one].

Thanks for the refresher- I used to be here all the time and valued Brink's help. I do plan on visiting once I can get my computer problems cleared. I still have at least one other problematic machine to deal with but one at a time.

To: Try3 & Topgundcp

A quick note- I abhor being considered a health victim but you should know that my ability to respond quickly and to always perform your suggestions in a timely way has been and will continue to be for some period of time delayed due to a recent concussion. That is why I do not have the available energy to deal with going back and editing my prior messages and prefer to use energy towards solving my current problem(s).

With that out of the way, I'm letting you know I tried two additional tasks. I first ran the terminal to turn Off Fast Start. The command was accepted so I don't know if the state was previously on or off but it's off now. I rebooted, did the F1 key and boot went directly to the pre-Windows screen: Windows 11 or Reflect.

I then thought it would be nifty to see what was or was not going on during boot and attempted to turn on Verbose. I got stuck in Regedit. I navigated down to the location described by MS, then the next step was to type or find DWORD to then insert a string. I could not find where there was a place to 'type' anything so I exited.

Mark

This morning I did sfc /scannow and problems were found and fixed. Then I chkdsk with switches and no response on screen - black. I know that chkdsk is quick even with the find and fix switches. I waited 10-15 minutes, turned the machine off then on and off on and off on... And for the first time the machine wouldn't boot to windows. Then to Geek squad and the darn thing booted up. The fellow said because I rebooted so many times in sequence the video card wasn't flushed and/or the capacitor was not cleared.

I brought the machine home this morning and it booted to Windows and my butt is safe from my wife who left this morning saying 'what did you do to my computer?' argh.

So the big news, the Geek guy booted into the BIOS! His keyboard had an Fn key. He held the function key down while repeatedly pressing the F1 key. Now that I'm home, her keyboard doesn't have a Fn key. So absent a clever idea from here, I guess I'm off to buy a keyboard with the Fn key.

I'm not certain, but I suspect that the Geek Squad person gave you a made-up story.

A keyboard without function keys? I didn't realize that it was possible to buy one.

I've used inexpensive wire keyboards (Logitech K120) for years. The only problem I've had is that the letters wear off the keys after a few years. I figure that a wired keyboard gives the best chance of getting into the BIOS settings, if needed. (That may not be true.)

You know, I don't doubt for one minute the Geek was free boarding. But I do not have another explanation for why the computer booted on their desk. And I'm not arguing with the result.
I will order a new WIRED keyboard with a Fn key. I can't say that that's my silver bullet but it sure as heck beats all non-existent reasons to the contrary.
The bottom line is that I now have every reason to believe the machine is okay booting to Windows and will boot to the BIOS. I will confirm all once in the possession of the new keyboard.

Markg2 said:

I'm off to buy a keyboard with the Fn key.

Click to expand...

No, don't.
It is not required.
You have misinterpreted what you saw.
Honestly.
Buying an external keyboard just to get an Fn key is a waste of time & money.
A keyboard with an Fn key might need to use the Fn key to get the F1 key to behave as the F1 key.
A keyboard without an Fn key does not need anything to get the F1 key to behave as the F1 key.


You can also boot into the Uefi by running this command in an elevated cmd prompt within Windows.
shutdown /r /fw /t 0
It will restart the computer straight into the Bios.


If your Uefi is presenting you with a black screen then you have a serious hardware problem that has nothing to do with the keyboard.


Denis

Try3 said:

No, don't.
It is not required.
(snip)

Click to expand...

Maybe not. But it's a desktop system, so an external keyboard is needed anyway.

BestBuy has the Logitech K120 for $13 now. Not a major financial risk.

I'm still curious as to what keyboard is in use that has no function keys. I didn't realize that any existed.

bobkn said:

I'm still curious as to what keyboard is in use that has no function keys.

Click to expand...

I think he meant that it had no
Fn
key
i.e. the key with Fn written on it
not that it had no Functions keys at all.


Denis

Yes, Denis is correct. The desktop keyboard does not have a separate Fn key from the F keys top row.
And I also understand Denis' POV regarding the Fn key not necessary.

However, over the course of ~2 weeks, since I started questioning on the Lenovo IdeaCenter forum, I must have tried getting into the BIOS 20 times. All of those times I used the stipulated F1 key except for a few I tried the F2. In all of those instances, starting to continuously on/off the F1 key starting as soon as the computer went to Restarting and in all instances the machine went straight to the Window's pre-screen (Windows 11 or Reflect).

And, on the first shot by the Geek fellow using the Fn key + F1 key he went right to the BIOS.

So anyone has a better idea than a separate Fn key I'm all ears. I ordered the keyboard from Amazon since this is my wife's computer and I know what keyboards she likes and doesn't like and I can easily return the thing if not a good fit.

Mark

Markg2 said:

However, over the course of ~2 weeks, since I started questioning on the Lenovo IdeaCenter forum, I must have tried getting into the BIOS 20 times. All of those times I used the stipulated F1 key except for a few I tried the F2. In all of those instances, starting to continuously on/off the F1 key starting as soon as the computer went to Restarting and in all instances the machine went straight to the Window's pre-screen (Windows 11 or Reflect).

Click to expand...

Does your existing keyboard have an Fn key?
If so then by all means try using it.
If not then the Fn key is not relevant.

Markg2 said:

on the first shot by the Geek fellow using the Fn key + F1 key he went right to the BIOS

Click to expand...

Was he using your normal keyboard or another one?


Denis

When starting the computer, keep tapping the delete button or the F12 key.

Mark,

Porthos' suggestion about using those Boot options menu keys [Esc, F12] is because some Boot options menus do contain an entry for getting into the Bios so it's another route for you.
My Lenovo IdeaPad does not but such things do vary between models.

My Lenovo IdeaPad has an Fn key and dual-use keys but I still use F12 on its own [or Esc] to get into the Boot options menu.


Denis

I had previously tried the continuous F12 key when getting nowhere with the F1 key hoping to get into the boot order. No go. Interestingly, the Geek guy also suggested the Del key but decided to use his Fn + F1 key.
For me, all bets are off until I receive and try the Fn wired keyboard tomorrow.
And if all else fails I'll steal the Geek guy's keyboard

Markg2 said:

Yes, Denis is correct. The desktop keyboard does not have a separate Fn key from the F keys top row.
And I also understand Denis' POV regarding the Fn key not necessary.

(snip)

Click to expand...

I'm confused.

I have a laptop with function keys that default to laptop-specific functions. A separate key must be depressed to make them act as normal function keys (like F5 to refresh a browser window).

Are we mixing up laptop keyboards with desktop ones?

BTW, I super appreciate ALL the forum's suggestions. And once I have the new keyboard I intend to try all even if the initial attempt succeeds just for the knowledge.

The computer in question is a Lenovo Gaming 5 desktop computer with a wired keyboard without the Fn key