Changed BIOS settings now Windows 7 wont start

rhodriedwards · 19 Aug 2010

Hi

I have been incredibly stupid and changed the settings in my BIOS setup. What is even more stupid is I did this by making it "Load Optimal Defaults" so I dont actually know what has been changed.

As a result of this windows 7 now cannot start, it brings you to the error fixing part where it searches for errors, cant find any and offers you some more options including system restore. Ive done a system restore but that has also not fixed it. I have little idea how to fix this, windows 7 was working perfectly until I changed the BIOS, but not knowing what was changed means I cant change it back.

The BIOS version is: 4core1600twins-p35 p1.40

Any help would be immensely appreciated. Thank you very much!

Rhodri

Dwarf · 19 Aug 2010

Hi Rhodri and welcome to Windows 7 Forums

This should be quite easy to fix. All you need to do is to reset the BIOS to its defaults. Boot up and enter your BIOS. You are looking for an option to reset it to its defaults (this is NOT the same as Optimal Defaults). Alternatively, remove and replace the motherboard battery - this will cause all settings to be lost from the BIOS, so you need to make a note of your current settings on a piece of paper so that you can restore them afterwards. This will include the date and time. For details on how to do this, the location of the battery and whether or not there is a motherboard jumper that accomplishes the same thing, see your motherboard manual. Please ensure that your system is unplugged from the mains whilst you do this.

rhodriedwards · 19 Aug 2010

I have double checked and I can only see an option that is Optimal Defaults. As for removing the battery what details will I have to re enter, all of them or what?

Thanks

Dwarf · 19 Aug 2010

That will depend on your situation. Certainly,the time and date will need correcting, if nothing else. If you are using RAID, then this will also need reenabling, as the standard default mode is with RAID disabled. On my system, I have RAID enabled, but the rest of the settings are at their defaults. The only adjustments that I make are to disable hardware devices, such as parallel and serial ports, which I don't use. This is to recover their resources. Other than that, I use the basic standard settings, with the exception of the chassis power button which I have set to delayed off instead of instant off.

Lemur · 19 Aug 2010

Welcome Rhodri. First, you need to update your system specs (lower left corner). Then, if possible, take pics of your bios setup screen (different screens). This will greatly help in our group assisting you.