PC skips BIOS splash screen and goes straight to login screen

[ToasterStroodle]

Okay so lately I've noticed that my PC isn't displaying the BIOS splash screen anymore and skips straight to the Windows login screen. It didn't really bother me until today when I wanted to boot into Ubuntu and I couldn't select which OS I wanted to use.

I'm pretty sure the problem isn't the BIOS itself since I unplugged all the peripherals except the speakers, removed all the RAM and the BIOS did beep repeatedly. And given enough time, I can boot into windows (and only windows ).

Apparently people have had this problem before and all the solutions I've read such as "Press 'del' to go into your BIOS!" really doesn't help since I can't see anything in my BIOS menu.

The only solution that made sense to me was that my CMOS battery could be dying. I haven't changed my rig since I built it in 2009. The only significant event that happened recently might be that Windows updated itself.

tl;dr
-PC doesn't display BIOS splash screen
-Can't see messages displayed by system
-When windows does bootup, everything runs just fine
-Haven't changed rig for ~3 years

 

[gregrocker]

This is normally a BIOS setting called "Fast boot" or something such. It might have toggled off due to low battery causing a reset. This may also explain why a BIOS Boot Menu no longer appears.

It won't hurt to change your CMOS battery and might help. You can reset your BIOS at the same time which is also indicated: Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS

Do you have Ubuntu (wisely) on another HD so you need the BIOS Boot menu to show up when you press it's hot key? If so make sure all HD's are detected in BIOS setup and BIOS Boot order is set to preferred HD first. If BIOS Boot menu still doesn't show up using hotkey, change boot order to other OS HD to see if it will in fact boot.

 

[CB]

More.
one simple way to check your CMOS batt is by observing your RTL. if the date and time are proper then your batt is still good to go (It actually lasts for 5 year).
Though it's running fastboot you can catch it on the way by blindly hitting the BIOS setup menu key (del, or other specified by the board).

Kevin

 

[James7679]

Fast boot only disables certain tests. Post screen should still come up. It is possible that you need to simply reset your cmos.

 

[ToasterStroodle]

@gregrocker, Yes, I installed Ubuntu on a separate HDD so I need to change the boot order to get into ubuntu.

Alright I'm going to try the suggestions you guys gave me before coming back. Thanks for the suggestions

 

[gregrocker]

As you may know, this HD selection is done easiest using the one-time BIOS Boot Menu key at startup which most computers have. Can you trigger it now?

 

[ToasterStroodle]

@gregrocker, Nope, I think I made it worse.

I tried resetting the BIOS by using the onboard jumper switch on my motherboard. The BIOS menu wasn't being displayed when I turned on the PC while mashing the delete button nor when I turned on the PC and did nothing. Then I set the jumper switch back to normal and now I get 2 rapid beeps when I turn on the PC.

 

[gregrocker]

What happened to replacing the battery?

 

[ToasterStroodle]

Trying the free solutions first . Anyway, I decided to switch monitors and strangely enough, I can see the BIOS menu now.

 

[CB]

As far that I knew. Resetting can be done but taking out batt for 5 seconds.
If by jumper, it doesn't require us to turn on the PC. Just jumper it for 5 seconds and switch back, isn't it?

Kevin

 

[James7679]

As far that I knew. Resetting can be done but taking out batt for 5 seconds.
If by jumper, it doesn't require us to turn on the PC. Just jumper it for 5 seconds and switch back, isn't it?

Kevin

Correct, you are not supposed to turn on the PC when using the jumper. The jumper bypasses the circuit for the battery and you shouldn't even keep the PC plugged in while using the jumper.

 

[gregrocker]

Unplug the power cable and remove battery if applicable, hold in the Power button for several seconds to drain power from parts.