Solved Can't enter BIOS settings on new SSD

[threein99]

Hi

I recently moved to an SSD, I installed Windows 7 and it runs fine but today I wanted to dual boot with Ubuntu, so I made a bootable USB and when I tried to access the boot order settings at startup so I could boot from the USB I cant enter it, I press f2 and nothing happens

 

[Ztruker]

According to the Users Guide, F2 is the right key. I think you need to keep trying as you may be hitting it at the wrong time.

Manual says as soon as the Samsung logo appears.

 

[threein99]

According to the Users Guide, F2 is the right key. I think you need to keep trying as you may be hitting it at the wrong time.

Manual says as soon as the Samsung logo appears.

It goes into the windows boot manager but I cant get into the BIOS options ot change the boot order, it worked before I switched over to an SSD

 

[Ztruker]

Do you have a Fn key that will take you to the one time boot menu where you can select what you want to boot from?

It's often F12.

 

[threein99]

Do you have a Fn key that will take you to the one time boot menu where you can select what you want to boot from?

It's often F12.

I do but any of those keys just take to the windows boot manager where I can only select safe mode/safe mode with networking etc etc

 

[DavidE]

Post a screen print of your disk management
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/274797-disk-management-post-screen-capture-image.html

Hi
I recently moved to an SSD, I installed Windows 7

Can you explain exactly what you did to "move to an SSD and install Windows 7" ?

i.e.
Did you disconnect the HD with Win 7 BEFORE installing Win 7 on the SSD ???

 

[threein99]

Post a screen print of your disk management
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/274797-disk-management-post-screen-capture-image.html

Hi
I recently moved to an SSD, I installed Windows 7

Can you explain exactly what you did to "move to an SSD and install Windows 7" ?

i.e.
Did you disconnect the HD with Win 7 BEFORE installing Win 7 on the SSD ???

I just replaced the HDD with the SSD, I then wiped the old HDD and replaced my optical drive with it, I will post a screen shot when I get home

 

[whs]

I don't think your problem has anything to do with the SSD. Just keep tapping F12 (or F10 - not sure for a Samsung) from the minute you hit power-on.

 

[threein99]

I have added a screen shot to my original post

 

[gregrocker]

Did you install Win7 in UEFI mode as you have the EFI System partition, although it is strangely located after the OS partition which is highly unusual. So how exactly did you install Win7?

If you installed to UEFI then you would have selected your Win7 installation media as a UEFI device. Is this what you did?

I do not know how Linux distros react to UEFI so you'll have to try and report back.

I have used F12 to access Samsung one-time BIOS Boot Menu. But if you can't access BIOS setup you have other problems. I'd read your Manual on the Samsung Support Downloads webpage to make sure there isn't a hybrid method to access the menu on your model.

If the PC is still under one year tech support warranty I'd chat or call them to find out exactly how to access this and ask about the strange EFI partition position.

If not you can research how to reset the CMOS on your model PC to see if that resolves it as it often does: How To Clear CMOS (Reset BIOS) [Easy, 10 to 15 Min]

 

[threein99]

Did you install Win7 in UEFI mode as you have the EFI System partition, although it is strangely located after the OS partition which is highly unusual. So how exactly did you install Win7?

If you installed to UEFI then you would have selected your Win7 installation media as a UEFI device. Is this what you did?

I do not know how Linux distros react to UEFI so you'll have to try and report back.

I have used F12 to access Samsung one-time BIOS Boot Menu. But if you can't access BIOS setup you have other problems. I'd read your Manual on the Samsung Support Downloads webpage to make sure there isn't a hybrid method to access the menu on your model.

If the PC is still under one year tech support warranty I'd chat or call them to find out exactly how to access this and ask about the strange EFI partition position.

If not you can research how to reset the CMOS on your model PC to see if that resolves it as it often does: How To Clear CMOS (Reset BIOS) [Easy, 10 to 15 Min]

I reinstalled it using the cd that came with the laptop, I don't recall being asked to install it as UEFI device, I've reinstalled it before using the the cd and never had this problem

 

[gregrocker]

90% of the time failure to boot into BIOS setup or BIOS Boot menu is due to bad timing or other User failure. Try holding the F2 after reboot.

I gave you the other things to try so let us know how they go. You have a UEFI install judging by the labels on your Disk Mgmt which we read here by the thousands.

 

[DavidE]

Greg,
Do you think it would be a good idea to disconnect the SSD and try to boot that way ?
The PC shouldn't be able to boot.
Maybe that would "force a change" to allow accessing the BIOS setup ???

 

[gregrocker]

Good thinking, David. It could be either the SSD or flash media blocking access to BIOS, providing it is being accessed correctly. Try without each and both to see.

Is this what you'd do?

 

[DavidE]

Yea, I would disconnect everything not needed (Mouse + Keyboard) and see what that does.
I would want to see BIOS settings BEFORE doing a BIOS RESET if at all possible.

Your idea to contact Samsung support is excellent.
I don't have UEFI, Ubuntu, but I've never not been able to get into BIOS (Legacy) setup ...

 

[DavidE]

Another note.

I never wipe the HD I am "replacing" before confirming everything works correctly.
I have 2 PCs, a dual-boot and a triple-boot.
I've "migrated" these OSs several times to different HDs, SSD, etc. ...
If anything goes wrong, I remove the new HD/SSD, reconnect the OLD working HD/SSD, and start over ...
This does mean having an extra "HD", but the cost is well worth it to me ... to be able to "recover" .

 

[threein99]

It's working fine just can't access the boot order. I hadn't noticed it before as it's not something I look to change much. I will try those suggestions later when I get home

 

[gregrocker]

How did you boot the DVD to install to the SSD?

 

[threein99]

How did you install to the SSD?

I used the disk that came with the laptop

 

[gregrocker]

How did you boot it?


Also do you know how C partition got put in first position because EFI System partition which boots the OS is normally always firs?