I have lost the facility to press f2 or f12 on boot!

Earwigo · 20 Mar 2014

I want to do a reload of Windows on my machine, but have accidentally put it in fast bios mode, so I'm not offered the facility of pressing f2 or f12, which I need to do in order to boot from a Windows 7 repair disc. My question is: how can I now get the machine to accept f2 or f12 once again? or, if not, is there any other way of formatting and re-installing Windows on the C: drive?
I will be most grateful for any help regarding this.
Many thanks,
Stuart.

Barman58 · 20 Mar 2014

Hello Stuart and welcome to SevenForums,

Although the fast boot option may prevent you from actually seeing the prompt it should still be active, I've had similar issues, so needed to boot from disk as you do.

if you boot the system and then immediately start tapping the required key about once a second you should find it will activate the required option. This is of course a little hit or miss so you may have to do this a few times untill you get the timing right - Ctrl-Alt-Delete should still work until the windows boot actually takes over so you may reboot a few times untill it works.

If this does not work you may have to open the case to reset the bios to default which can be a complex process especially in Laptops so I would suggest you give this a try :)

4wd · 20 Mar 2014

So you know the relevant keys are f2 (probably bios), and f12 (probably boot choice). This is from a w8 laptop, but may be worth trying: continuously press f2 (or f12) shortly after clicking restart. And look up the documentation for your system on the manufacturer site or post on a brand-specific forum. Good luck.

Earwigo · 20 Mar 2014

Thanks for the above. Nothing works as yet. By the way I didn't mention that my machine starts with an Ubuntu starter screen, from which I have to select Windows 7. I want to get a fresh install of Windows with a clean machine and no Ubuntu, and have made a Windows recovery disc, but because I stupidly and mistakenly altered the Bios to fast Bios, I cannot now get the computer to boot from the recovery disc.
I don't want to dismantle the machine (Toshiba Satellite laptop), so was hoping that something could be done apart from that. Tapping f2 or f12 or holding either key down on reboot does not seem to work, even when I use ctrl/alt/delete to quickly get back to the boot screen and try this repeatedly.
I am most grateful for all that's been said so far, and hope there may be some other ideas out there!
Stuart.

Barman58 · 20 Mar 2014

Can I assume that this system is a laptop, (toshiba shown as manufacturer in Specs), if so it is more difficult than a desktop, purely due to access issues, on most motherboards (used in desktops), you can reset your bios to default by simply moving a jumper from one pin to another or even by removing the power and the small CMOS battery. with a laptop it is reliant on how the manufacturer has constructed the system - You may not have access to the required areas of the motherboard without complete disassembly of the case.

It's probably best to check with the user guide and see if there is any advice to perform a bios reset or enter setup in Fast Bios Mode. if there is nothing relevant in the user guide you could try the on-line help at the Toshiba Support Site for your model.

The presence of a linux grub loader should not be an issue as the bios calls are made before this is called

If you dont have a copy of your user guide they are avalable online http://www.toshiba.co.uk/innovation/...WNLOAD_ARCHIVE

DavidE · 20 Mar 2014

I found a thread with this as a way to get out of fast boot.

OK, found the Fix in the Manual .. lol ...

Click Start, All Programs, TOSHIBA, Utilities, and then HWSetup ..

Kinda Kool That i can adjust Bios Settings from within Windows

Source: Enter L655D Bios after Fast Boot - TOSHIBA FORUMS

If that doesn't work you can do a google for toshiba satellite laptop fast boot

4wd · 20 Mar 2014

Hello, I've been trough very similar situation on my Satellite, the stuff I mentioned above worked here, but on w8. Do some research in this forum, example Toshiba Support Forums: F2 key to BIOS SET UP stopped working ... Also, if you got Toshiba System Settings program installed, you can adjust some bios settings from there, example 'boot priority' and 'set all to default'.

AddRAM · 20 Mar 2014

If you still can`t set it to defaults, and still can`t get into the bios, I would call or email the manufacturer, they should be able to help you best. :)

Earwigo · 20 Mar 2014

Thanks to all again. Believe it or not, there isn't a Toshiba\Utilities\HW Setup file anywhere on my Satellite C660 laptop. There isn't even a Toshiba Utilities folder. Any more ideas, please?
Thanks.
Stuart.

4wd · 20 Mar 2014

Throwing in the towel here. Last idea, visit toshiba and download\reinstall Hardware Setup for your model\os. And as mentioned, search\post on the Tosh support forum.