APTIO BIOS Setup Utility
Dear Experts,
I am trying to repair a Dell Inspiron, which seemed like it had a dead HDD. After replacing it, I realized that I cannot get into BOOT section of BIOS to change the boot order. After hitting F12 and getting into just the boot option, I changed to boot from CD/DVD, but I get the "Invalid signature detected. Check Secure Boot Policyin Setup." error. After researching a bit, I tried Ctrl-F1 at Main BIOS page, but it did not work.
It is APTIO BIOS revision A11, I can only change Date and TIme. I can see that Secure Boot Control is enabled, but I cannot change it. I cannot even load Default settings. I can go through all tabs, but none of the pages allows me to get in and choose any options.
Please advise.
I am trying to repair a Dell Inspiron, which seemed like it had a dead HDD. After replacing it, I realized that I cannot get into BOOT section of BIOS to change the boot order. After hitting F12 and getting into just the boot option, I changed to boot from CD/DVD, but I get the "Invalid signature detected. Check Secure Boot Policyin Setup." error. After researching a bit, I tried Ctrl-F1 at Main BIOS page, but it did not work.
It is APTIO BIOS revision A11, I can only change Date and TIme. I can see that Secure Boot Control is enabled, but I cannot change it. I cannot even load Default settings. I can go through all tabs, but none of the pages allows me to get in and choose any options.
Please advise.
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Obaid ur Rehman
Do you have an operating system installed?
It is a Dell Inspiron but an APTIO BIOS? Did you try F2 to get in to the BIOS settings? F12 is just a one time boot select menu. Use F2 to enter the BIOS setup.
ASKER
Dear Obaid, thank you for your reply. Yes, the HDD has Operating system installed, but the issue was it never went there because of the "Invalid signature".
Dear John, thank you for recommending to read the Dell forum. After reading it and trying a few items, I realized that I had one option after hitting F12, and below diagnostics, there was "Change Boot Option", which allowed me to turn off secure boot off and directly go into DVD boot. After that, I was able to install my OS. Still does not solve the issue of not being able to change BIOS, but at least PC is usable now.
Dear rindi, thank you for your reply. Yes, I guess something went wrong with the BIOS to the point where if the unit was still under warranty, Dell would have been able to assist me or even replace motherboard. Since it is out of warranty, I didn't have that choice.
Luckily, I guessed the admin password, which was "password". so that was a lucky break for me!
Dear John, thank you for recommending to read the Dell forum. After reading it and trying a few items, I realized that I had one option after hitting F12, and below diagnostics, there was "Change Boot Option", which allowed me to turn off secure boot off and directly go into DVD boot. After that, I was able to install my OS. Still does not solve the issue of not being able to change BIOS, but at least PC is usable now.
Dear rindi, thank you for your reply. Yes, I guess something went wrong with the BIOS to the point where if the unit was still under warranty, Dell would have been able to assist me or even replace motherboard. Since it is out of warranty, I didn't have that choice.
Luckily, I guessed the admin password, which was "password". so that was a lucky break for me!
Yes, I guess something went wrong with the BIOS to the point where .....
If that is the case, then you probably cannot fix the BIOS itself but you do have the OS installed.
If that is the case, then you probably cannot fix the BIOS itself but you do have the OS installed.
ASKER
BIOS still not letting me change anything but time and date, but I did get OS in, so it works now.
Thank you, Experts!!
Thank you, Experts!!
You are very welcome and I am glad you got your OS running.
With UEFI BIOS's you should be able to do some BIOS actions from within the OS, or if you change a setting there it will reboot into BIOS mode.
For example in Windows 10 you select "Settings", then "update and security", "Recovery", then in the "Advanced start-up" section select "Restart Now". It then reboots into an extended boot menu where you can select "Troubleshoot" and then you can change boot devices and get into the BIOS.
For example in Windows 10 you select "Settings", then "update and security", "Recovery", then in the "Advanced start-up" section select "Restart Now". It then reboots into an extended boot menu where you can select "Troubleshoot" and then you can change boot devices and get into the BIOS.
ASKER
Dear rindi, That's good to know, thank you. I am still learning the Advanced Start-up options in Windows 10.