Solved No Start Condition - plus BIOS freeze

[TVeblen]

Hi everyone.

I am working on an Asus K55A laptop that was given to me with a no-start problem that I haven't seen before.

Press the power button and I get the Asus logo screen, then black screen for 2-3 seconds, then an "EDIT BOOT OPTIONS" screen comes up and it stops here. It says:

Edit Windows Boot Options for Windows 7
Path: \Windows\System32\Windows.efi
Partition: {ID String}
Hard Disk: {ID String}
[ /NOEXECUTE=OPTIN|| ] (Where || = cursor)

​

Has anyone seen this window before?
Care to guess what it means?

Now I have discovered that some of the keys on the keyboard do not work. I'm in Windows right now and I can't run System File Checker because S key does not work (others do - haven't mapped it all out yet). But the D key doesn't work either - had to access CMD by mouse.

I got into Windows by thrashing about on the keyboard (testing keys), and I am not going to try and recreate that right now.

Also trouble getting into the BIOS setup. Again, keys not responding, (incomplete key testing data). The ESC key and F8 seem to have no effect on boot, but the F2 to get into BIOS settings seems to work sporadically.
When I get into BIOS settings I have no control. I can't move anywhere using the arrow keys. The ESC and ENTER keys do nothing.

This problem was dropped in my lap late last night as I was heading for bed, so I had no time to do anything then, and I have to go out for the day today. So the small amount of testing is all I can do until tonight.

I'm just throwing this out there to see if you guys have seen this before and could give me some suggestions I could try tonight.

It seems off the bat like it is a failed keyboard (ugh), but maybe there is some magic pixie dust or something I could try.

Thanks in Advance for anything you got!

 

[GokAy]

Haven't seen it myself but found this (maybe you are aware of it)
Won't boot unless I use EDIT BOOT OPTIONS (F10) at boot - Microsoft Community

 

[TVeblen]

That does look promising. Thanks.

I need a trick to start SFC without typing the letter S. Got any ideas about that? I think I will need a mouse-able command or exe. It's probably in System32.

 

[GokAy]

Some alternatives:
- Use an external keyboard

- make a bat file on another PC and transfer with USB?

Cmd
Sfc /scannow

- Or use ascii code?
ALT+NUMPAD ASCII Key Combos: The ± and © of Creating Obscure Passwords

 

[Boozad]

I need a trick to start SFC without typing the letter S. Got any ideas about that?

Mouse copy & paste?

 

[TVeblen]

I try those and let you know!

Edit: If I get the PC back anytime soon .
It's running Windows and I told her to just not shut down. So now there is no urgency anymore.
Don't wait up for me!

 

[Mellon Head]

Has anyone seen this window before?
Care to guess what it means?

I've seen it before from a laptop with a failing hard drive.

It seems off the bat like it is a failed keyboard (ugh), but maybe there is some magic pixie dust or something I could try.

If you feel adventurous, you could open the lappy and check to see that the keyboard ribbon connector is fastened securely and hasn't worked its way loose from the socket. That's the only pixie dust I have.

 

[GokAy]

Don't wait up for me!

I can go to bed!

 

[TVeblen]

I've seen it before from a laptop with a failing hard drive.

Yeah, I've been thinking that too. But then it runs Windows without a hiccup.

I'm also wondering if a failed keyboard will halt a POST. (But of course laptops don't beep!).

If you feel adventurous, you could open the lappy and check to see that the keyboard ribbon connector is fastened securely and hasn't worked its way loose from the socket. That's the only pixie dust I have.

That is looking like my weekend project. Oh joy!

 

[TVeblen]

I've also got to figure out how to boot Ubuntu on a USB stick.
But I can't get to the boot menu, or change boot order in BIOS.
This is a challenge!

 

[GokAy]

You haven't tried an external keyboard yet, right? No idea if they work during POST with laptops though.

 

[TVeblen]

Well, it's definitely the keyboard. Some keys work, some don't.
The ENTER key on the number pad works to start the laptop, and if I press that ENTER key on the "Edit Boot Options" screen it starts right up.

So it's usable as long as you don't need to type anything that requires TYOASDFJK;ZBN or Esc or any F keys, or any direction keys!

Still can't always get into BIOS, or if I do, move around there.

Took it apart this morning to check all connections and get the P/N off the keyboard. Removed the 3V battery to check it too, which resets the BIOS - no change.

New keyboard is $24 US with free shipping!

For the geeks:

 

[Boozad]

Good work Bob, great price on the replacement keyboard as well!

 

[TVeblen]

There was another one for $18 but the numbers don't match exactly so I'm not going to chance it!

 

[TVeblen]

An Update:

The keyboard arrived yesterday (evidently it was on a slow boat from China - maybe literally!).

Just finished installing it. All is good.
All problems were the result of a failed keyboard.

A good learning experience!

 

[Mellon Head]

I love it when a plan comes together. Nice job!