Pc-1 on new win install in infinite loop w/ format done> how access

[JamesEJ]

@ TechnoMage2016 again.. You said "Six" DVD's? Yes indeed, that is what they mailed me upon my Phone request to do so. One "systems" disk. Five subsequent install disks. Heck, I remember in my older HP days there were just a big bunch of disks. Maybe a dozen? A lot anyway. I do realize the more recent recovery discs are less in numbers, like just one, but I got what they had for this gateway recovery process.

 

[JamesEJ]

Good morning.

 

[mrjimphelps]

I don't see anything wrong or unusual with a six-DVD factory reinstall package. Years ago, HP was sending four DVDs.

Just make sure that your computer will boot from the DVD, and that the DVD is the first item in the boot order list.

 

[JamesEJ]

mrjimphelps Thanks but I'm unable to access a bios program that has been erased due to a format. That's the problem at hand.

You or anybody else know how to set up a flash drive boot? My thinking is that because I would be booting from an f-drive & not the PC1 HDD, I could do what I need that way. Maybe not? Thanks Jim

 

[mrjimphelps]

Formatting a drive won't erase your BIOS. There has to be some other problem.

Maybe I missed an earlier post, but perhaps your USB keyboard isn't active when you first boot up. That would prevent your being able to get into BIOS. If you have PS/2 ports on your computer, try to find a PS/2 keyboard. That would solve it, if USB is the problem.

If you did a firmware upgrade at any point, that could explain why you are unable to get into BIOS.

The following lists comments from users who did a firmware update on their Asus computers, and now it is next to impossible for them to get into BIOS. Acer and Asus are partners, and Acer owns Gateway, so it is possible that a Gateway firmware update has caused this issue.

https://forums.anandtech.com/threads/cant-access-bios-using-del-key-help.2251785/

 

[JamesEJ]

OK that is a realistic option to try but please know I witnessed the format as part of the initial recovery process. with a format in place on the HDD it's hard for me to see how its possible to access an erased BIOS program. See what I mean?

 

[JamesEJ]

con't... what do you mean a format won't erase the bios. Is the bios program not installed on the HDD?

 

[mrjimphelps]

con't... what do you mean a format won't erase the bios. Is the bios program not installed on the HDD?

No, it is stored in a chip on the motherboard. That's why you can swap hard drives all you want, and the BIOS will still be there.

 

[JamesEJ]

OK, will use my plugin usb keyboard and see then, Using remote one now. Thanks, Jim

 

[mrjimphelps]

Here's something else you can try, if you can't get into the BIOS. It is probably time to change your CMOS battery; if you haven't changed it in a few years, this would be a good time to do so. Power down, and unplug the computer. Pull out the CMOS battery, and leave it out for a while (at least 10 minutes), then install the new CMOS battery. Now plug the computer in and turn it on. It will prompt you to go into BIOS, because the time is now wrong, because there was no CMOS battery in to maintain it. While in the BIOS, set the clock to the correct time and date, and make sure that your CD/DVD drive is first in the boot order. (You could also put USB as the second item in the boot order, in case you ever want to boot from a flash drive.) Save and exit the BIOS. Now you should be able to boot from the recovery DVD with no problem -- when you boot the computer, it will ask you to hit any key to boot from the DVD. Be watching for that prompt, then hit any key.

Even if the CMOS battery is good, you should still remove it for about 10 minutes (with the computer unplugged), in order to clear the BIOS clock, so that it will prompt you to go into BIOS.

 

[JamesEJ]

Ok, the result, in short, was that no bios menu showed up. Geeeze. Alright, first will remove cosmos battery and let sit 10 minutes. If your still here, I do not know what a cosmos battery looks like to try & find it but will google for info. cheers

 

[mrjimphelps]

I don't know what a "cosmos" battery looks like either, but I do know what a CMOS battery looks like -- it is about the size of a quarter; it is chrome colored; and it has the part number and a '+' on one side. That is the positive side, and it should face upward. You can get them at Walgreens, Walmart, or most other stores.

 

[TechnoMage2016]

"Pull out the CMOS battery, and leave it out for a while (at least 10 minutes), then install the new CMOS battery."

Anyone trying to fix their own computer who does not know what a CMOS battery is, probably should just unplug the PC and take it to someone who does. Messing around on the motherboard, like changing the battery is not for the novice. One little misstep can do ir-repairable damage to the motherboard.

 

[JamesEJ]

Just got done. Am in the bios menu. what to boot to? The hd?
EDIT: several boot options:

1 efi device
2 hard disk
3 cd/dvd optical disk
4 removable device
The same 1st 4 names with > in front & priority afterward
last two are
>quiet boot enabled
> halt on [all but keyboard]

which ones plz. Thanks to all for helping. Am 70 yrs on very limited s.s. income. Cannot afford to send unit out. Been iside before with other pc's. same idea but different layouts and that. Jim

 

[mrjimphelps]

CD/DVD Optical disk should be first.
Removable device should be second.
Hard disk should be third.
Not sure what efi device is. I would take it out of the boot menu if possible, or leave it as the last item.

Quiet boot means that it shows a minimal amount of info on the screen as it is booting up. Your choice to enable or disable it. I would enable it, because you'll probably get tired real quick of seeing all of the boot information.

Leave everything else as is.

Don't forget to save your settings.

Some comments:

• By putting CD first, you will always be able to boot from the CD whenever you want. But it won't boot from the CD unless (1) there is a bootable CD/DVD in the drive, and (2) you press any key when prompted. Therefore, I always put CD first in the boot order.
• Removable device (e.g. flash drive, external USB hard drive) should be before the hard drive in the boot order. In this way, you have a choice whether or not to boot from it, for exactly the same reasons as the CD.
• Hard drive will always boot whenever its turn comes up, because it is bootable. That's why you put it after the CD and the external device.

I'll bet you can now use your factory restore disks to get a good, clean install of Windows.

 

[JamesEJ]

OOoo So boot to the optical cd/DVD drive then, right? I'll see what I can do about the order but looked like one just chooses which option then does it then. J

 

[mrjimphelps]

It's possible that you'll hit '+' or '-' to move the items around in the boot order. Or maybe there are other keys you will hit.

It is essential that you get the CD above the hard drive in the boot order. That's the one thing you have to do here.

 

[JamesEJ]

ok, you are the man. going to it to try now.

 

[JamesEJ]

lost the bios when trying to delete efs. Odd. Got back into the bios with a new bty removal. But lost it again after getting the order correct once when saving that order with the provided F10 method

Any ideas on how to save another way? Jim, thanks

 

[mrjimphelps]

Likely your CMOS battery is bad. Get a new CMOS battery.

Also, save as soon as you make a change; then save again after making another change; etc.