BIOS does not load: troubleshooting and elimination. BIOS does not load: instructions for solving the problem What is BIOS

Guess the riddle: it stands like a beehive hums. But smoke does not come from the chimney, because this is not a native plant, but a computer on which the BIOS is damaged. And he hums because he is only capable of this now. Without bios, it's just a bunch of lifeless iron. Is it worth worrying about this? Of course not. After all, now you have a great bedside table!

A system unit as a bedside table? Well, I do not! We know how to make it work. Today we'll talk about how to restore the BIOS if it crashed.

What leads to a BIOS flashing

In IOS and its "descendant" UEFI, which modern motherboards are stitched with, these are special computer programs necessary for the initial configuration and control of PC devices until the operating system starts. They are stored in special flash memory chips on the motherboard, one of which is shown in the picture above. It seems to be a good storage place, reliable, but sometimes the BIOS becomes uncomfortable there and escapes. More precisely, it gets damaged and stops performing its tasks.

There are not too many reasons for damage to the BIOS, in some cases they are obvious, in others they are not. Here is a list of the most common ones:

During a power outage of the computer.
The flasher program (flasher) does not interact correctly with the firmware or flash memory microcircuit.
The BIOS version is flashed, not suitable for this motherboard. Yes, .
If the update is carried out from under a running operating system - a system failure or software interference, for example, antivirus blocking.
Incorrect user actions, for example, restarting the computer before the update installation is complete.
Failure of the flash memory chip.
Hidden BIOS firmware errors. Sometimes this explains the spontaneous "gatherings" occurring for no apparent reason.
Electrical problems on the motherboard.

How damage to BIOS is manifested

In most cases, the BIOS firmware is partially damaged, so the symptoms of a failure can vary:

When you press the PC power button, only the cooler turns on, which immediately starts rotating at maximum speed. Occasionally, the LED indicators on the case and keyboard light up.
One or several seconds after switching on, a cyclic restart begins. Outwardly, this is manifested by a cycle of spinning up and stopping the cooler, which are repeated while the power is supplied.
When turned on, the power indicator lights up, the cooler does not spin.
The computer shows no signs of life. This happens when the boot block, the BIOS boot loader, is damaged. This is the most difficult case.

There is no image on the screen. Not even the manufacturer's splash screen appears.

There are other forms of BIOS damage, more precisely, its area, which stores the configuration of the ME controller (part of the chipset) on motherboards working with Intel processors - the so-called ME-region. If there is a problem in this area, a computer or laptop may:

Incorrectly loaded or not included at all.
Shut down or restart at regular intervals.
It is incorrect to adjust the rotational speed of the cooler, for example, to turn it at high revs regardless of the load.

Elimination of such failures consists in reading the BIOS dump, replacing the ME-region with a clean one and re-flashing it using the programmer. Since this is usually done by repairmen, and not by computer owners, we will not dwell on this. Better to do something that can be done at home without special equipment and the risk of finally sending your "iron pet" to the kingdom of eternity.

BIOS recovery without a programmer is possible only if you save the bootloader. It is sometimes possible to determine whether it has survived or not by indirect signs: flashing of the screen backlight, sound signals from the system speaker, reaction of the motherboard to switching on without RAM (sound or flashing of indicators), etc. If the BIOS bootloader is intact, the first moments of work computers run normally, the failure appears a little later.

How to restore functionality to a motherboard with a failed BIOS

Asus

Many Asus brand desktop motherboards support USB Flashback, which is designed to quickly update and restore BIOS in case of failure. This does not require anything except a USB flash drive with a capacity of up to 4-16 GB and the BIOS file itself, which must be downloaded from the manufacturer's website from the section about your mother's model.

After downloading, the firmware must be renamed. For example, the file "Sabertooth X79" (model name) is renamed to "SABERX79.ROM", the file "Sabertooth Z77" to "Z77ST.CAP". Information on how the firmware file for your model should be named is most likely on the Asus website, but if you don't find it, check it out on the forums or in support.

Next, save the renamed BIOS on a USB flash drive formatted in FAT32 and connect it to the USB port marked “ Flashback" or " ROG Connect". It is advisable to turn off the computer before this, this will increase the chance of a successful recovery.

After connecting the flash drive, turn on the PC and press the " BIOS". Hold it down for about 3 seconds until the indicator light on the board starts flashing. Blinking indicates that the file has been successfully read and is being stitched into memory. When the firmware process is completed, the indicator will turn off.

If your board is from the budget segment or not too new, that is, it does not support USB Flashback, most likely you can restore it in another way. If the computer is equipped with a floppy drive or optical drive, write the renamed BIOS file to the root directory of a blank floppy disk or CD, place it in the drive, turn off and then turn on the PC. The firmware will be completed when the drive indicator turns off. If there is no drive, use a USB flash drive.

Gigabyte

On Gigabyte motherboards with Dual (dual) bios, failures rarely occur, since in case of damage to the firmware in the main microcircuit ( M ain_ BIOS) the dump from the backup ( B ackup_ BIOS). As long as the main flash memory is functional and contains firmware, even damaged, the board remains operational.

Problems with starting the board with Dual_BIOS are possible in the following cases:

The main microcircuit is missing or out of order.
The microcode in the main microcircuit is completely erased.
The contents of both microcircuits are damaged.

Some Gigabyte mothers are able to boot from the backup flash memory and use it as the main one. Another group of boards from this manufacturer uses a dedicated area on the hard disk as a backup media for BIOS. This is a less reliable option, but also better than nothing.

Restoring the Gigabyte BIOS from a backup is usually done automatically, but if this does not happen, try turning off the computer from the outlet, wait a little and turn it on again.

MSI and others

Most Micro-Star motherboards use a firmware recovery technology very similar to ASUS's - using a flash drive, floppy disk or CD. Copy the BIOS to a blank media, connect it to the PC, press the shutdown button for 4 seconds, hold down the combination on the keyboard leftCtrl +Home(or Alt +Ctrl +Home) and, without releasing the keys, turn on the computer. The beginning of the firmware process can be judged by the blinking of the flash drive or drive indicator.

BIOS on MSI board. On the right is the JSPI1 port for firmware on the programmer

On motherboards from MSI and some other brands that are more than 8-10 years old, the BIOS is flashed from a floppy disk. The instructions for AWARD and AMI BIOS are slightly different.

To recover the AMI BIOS, do the following:

Rename the BIOS file downloaded from the motherboard manufacturer's website to AMIBOOT.ROM.
Transfer it to the root of a blank floppy disk. Insert the floppy disk into the drive of the turned off PC.
Press the left Ctrl + Home on the keyboard and turn on the computer.

To restore AWARD BIOS:

Place the flasher and BIOS files on a floppy disk (usually downloaded in one archive).
Create a text document on a floppy disk, which contains the name of the BIOS file with the bin extension. Rename the document to autoexec.bat.
Further actions are similar to those given above.

By the way, some motherboard manufacturers post BIOSes on their websites only in exe format - in "one bottle" with a flasher for updating from under Windows. Sometimes it is possible to unpack such a file as an archive, but users often do not understand which of its contents is the firmware. There is no universal solution for such tasks. In order not to aggravate the problem, it is better to consult the specialized forums or the manufacturer's technical support.

On some boards, before restoring the BIOS, you also need to remove the real-time clock (RTC) battery from the socket or rearrange (remove) the clear CMOS jumper. It is important to clarify these points before starting the procedure.

Features of BIOS recovery on laptops

On laptops, like on Gigabyte boards, the BIOS is also often stored in two flash memory chips. But this is not Dual and it has no backups. Both chips contain different parts of the firmware, or one contains the main BIOS, and the other contains the multicontroller program. To prevent the device from turning on, it is enough to damage the microcode in at least one of them.

The recovery method for a failed BIOS on laptops is approximately the same as on desktops. The firmware file and the flasher program downloaded from the manufacturer's website (the latter is not always needed) are placed on a clean USB flash drive formatted in FAT32 / 16, connected to a de-energized device (just turning off the laptop is sometimes not enough, you need to disconnect the power supply and remove the battery), insert a charged replace the battery, turn on the device and hold down the key combination. Different laptops use different keyboard shortcuts for this, for example:

Ctrl (left only or both) + Home
Windows + B (this and other letters are in the Latin keyboard layout)
Windows + F
Windows + M
Windows + Esc
Fn + B
Fn + F
Fn + M
Fn + Esc.

The main work is to unpack and rename the BIOS files. Again, there is no single rule. In most cases, you have to get the firmware from exe-files, but! Many manufacturers include BIOSes for different revisions of one platform or a whole series of platforms in their programs, and it can be very difficult to choose the only file you need. In order not to be mistaken, read the instructions for the firmware of your particular model and the platform revision on the specialized forums. And feel free to ask questions.

I deliberately do not include in the article instructions on how to restore BIOS's by flashing on a programmer with and without unsoldering, closing various contacts, hot swapping removable flash memory, etc., since all these methods are unsafe and require certain knowledge. However, among the readers, there are likely to be those who have done something similar on their PC and got good results. It will be great if you describe your actions in detail in the comments to the article. You are also encouraged to share negative experiences so that other readers can avoid mistakes thanks to you. In the comments, be sure to include the model name and revision of your motherboard, as well as the BIOS version you worked with.

It is worth noting that BIOS crashes are not common. But it does happen and it's worth knowing what to do when it happens to us. In the article, we will not consider serious service techniques with removing chips and the like - we will leave this work to professionals, believe me, such things in the service will be cheaper and faster. We will consider the software part that is available to any user without a programmer. In 80% of cases, this will bring your BIOS to life.

What is BIOS

The very word "BIOS" (Basic Input Output System) translates as - "basic input-output system". This is a microcircuit on the motherboard, into which a limited basic list of parameters and commands is "hardcoded", from which we can choose the most suitable parameters for us. It is worth noting that BIOS DUAL is more common on motherboards since 2012 - this type of BIOS contains two microcircuits, one of which is the main one, and the other is used for recovery.

On modern motherboards, the very process of flashing the BIOS boils down to the fact that the image of the BIOS firmware is written to the CMOS microcircuit on the board. " CMOS"- the name of the technology itself, by which this microcircuit is produced:" Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor» — complementary metal oxide semiconductor or " CMOS". CMOS, as a rule, is a flash memory into which microcode is written and where all settings are stored.

It is the BIOS that transfers all the data required by the operating system for startup and installation. There is no way without him ...

Consequences of a BIOS failure

The consequences can be different:

I can't go into the BIOS settings, when we switch we get to a black screen;
I can't call the boot menu, when called, we get to a black screen;
When calling the settings or the BOOT menu, there are incomprehensible colored dots on the screen;
It is not possible to start booting from a USB flash drive, or not all bootable flash drives will start. In my case, the Linux installation flash drive was launched, but did not want to start the Mac OS boot. Be sure to check the performance of the bootable flash drive on another computer;
Doesn't detect USB;
Doesn't see CD ROM;
Changes are not saved on reboot;
Settings are not reset to default (Optimal);

These are the main symptoms of a BIOS failure that has occurred, but there may be others.

The following can lead to failure:

Voltage drop during reboot;
Frequent forced restart of the computer even before installing the system;
A large number of items in the choice of loaders. Ideally there should be: hard drive, USB, DVD / CD ROM. In some cases, additional bootloaders are registered, for example, if the MAC OS X bootloader is not installed correctly. In this case, the list grows over time, which does not allow to correctly determine the device and path to boot;
Unauthorized interference with the BIOS through the command line and the like ...

BIOS reset and flashing

The first thing we can do without resorting to the services of a service center is to reset the BIOS settings to optimal ones. We will consider the basic principle, since there are a huge number of manufacturers and models of motherboards, we simply cannot physically consider all of them. Everyone can easily find instructions for their model on the Internet.

I would like to note right away that both the implementation of the reset and the interfaces of the utilities, which will be described below, may differ depending on the manufacturer, but the functionality is the same for all.

Reset procedure:

After the steps taken, insert the battery, connect the power and turn on the computer.

When turned on, there are two options:

BIOS error message... We will be offered 3 or 4 options for choosing: "Save BIOS settings", "Load BIOS settings", "Reset BIOS to optimal settings", "Enter BIOS";
Ideal, settings have been reset and functionality restored... In this case, the operating system has started immediately, go to the last point and update the firmware from the manufacturer's servers.

Moving on to the menu items:

In modern motherboards, the Q-Flash utility is often already built in, which displays the same list of menu items and provides the same functions. If it turns out to get into the settings, then all this can be done through it.

The next option is only for those who have the system started!

If your operating system started after a reset, do not postpone it - we take out the CD. which came with the motherboard (if you have one) or go to the manufacturer's website and select and download the BIOS utility that matches your version and model.

Install the utility. A reboot may be required to complete the installation. Then we launch it through the "Start" menu in Windows and a slightly expanded choice opens to us.

BIOS is the intermediate link between the digital brain of the computer and the human mind. The basic I / O system translates human-readable keyboard commands into processor numeric codes. And vice versa, after the transmission of the processed information, the internal work of the PC appears on the monitor screen using the graphical interface of the operating system.

BIOS not loading? Then the operating system will not work either. Actually, the malfunction is quite rare. In the first place, it is likely to assume that the problem is with the system's battery. Open the system unit and replace the battery with a new one. If there is nothing to change, you can simply remove and reinsert the battery. This will lead to the return of the factory settings of Bios.

Try restarting your desktop. If it was a dead battery, everything will start working as usual.

Cooling the system unit

The next stage of diagnostics is checking the cooling system. PCs are extremely temperature sensitive. The slightest deviations lead to immediate automatic operation of protective systems.

Check how the coolers on the motherboard work. It is likely that if the equipment has been in operation for a long time, the lubrication of the fans has dried up, and therefore there is no proper cooling return. The solution is to lubricate the cooler or, which is simpler, to replace it with a new one. The fans are not expensive at all. It is easier to replace it with a new one for a hundred rubles, in five minutes, than to spend several hours of unpaid work on repairs.

Insufficient cooling of the system unit often occurs after an upgrade, when new modules were connected to the PC. At the same time, there is also a power problem. If, when expanding the configuration, the increased consumption of electric current and increased heat generation were not taken into account, then Bios may not start for these reasons. To check, you need to replace the computer's power supply with a more powerful one.

Faulty motherboard

Since the BIOS is located on the motherboard, it is logical to assume that the boot problems are due to faults on the mainland itself. Perform a visual inspection first. The presence of swollen electrolytic capacitors clearly indicates a malfunction.

Theoretically, an advanced user can replace unusable capacitors on his own. You just need to have the right tools and an electronic parts store somewhere nearby. Otherwise, so much time and money will be spent on self-repair that it would be easier and cheaper to go to a service center.

Another common reason for a motherboard malfunction is burning contacts in bridges or burned out tracks. All this can usually be seen on examination. If damage is found, you can safely carry the device to the workshop.

Malfunction of other computer units

The reason that the BIOS does not load may be due to malfunctions of other computer units. Checking and searching for the causal block is usually done by connecting a computer in the most minimal configuration.

Motherboard.
Power Supply.
Speaker.
One of the panels of RAM.

If, after starting in this state, Bios starts up, the problem is in one of the other blocks of the system. The connection begins with the video card, then the hard drives, and so on until the malfunction resumes.

It is likely that after such manipulations, the problem will disappear by itself, and the culprit will not be found. In this case, it is logical to assume violations in contact connections. After disconnecting and reconnecting, the contacts recovered and everything started working normally.

If a problem with contact connections is suspected, all that remains is to open the system unit and remove all cables, clean the contacts and remove dust. After the maintenance of the next element, you can try to turn on the computer again. This way you can more reliably detect the reason for the lack of BIOS loading.

Most often, such problems arise if the user neglects to clean the device from dust. For normal operation, you must clean the system unit at least once a year. Especially if there are pets in the house, there is a high probability of wool getting into the computer.

Very often Bios does not boot due to problems with the hard drive. Although, in this case, some messages appear on the screen after turning on the computer. If, after disconnecting the hard drive, the BIOS began to boot normally, the problem was with the drives.

The video card also strongly affects the work of the motherboard and BIOS. Problems with the video card in the first place just lead to the fact that BIOS will not start.

If the BIOS does not start even in the minimum configuration of the computer, there is a high probability of a malfunction of the processor or the motherboard itself. There are only two options, either change to new ones, or give it to a service center for repair. Unlike a hard drive, the cost of repairing a motherboard is significantly lower than buying a new one.

If the processor is defective, there may be no beeps. Another possible reason leading to the inoperability of the BIOS is the accumulation of static electricity on the central processor. To remove static, you can gently run a metal screwdriver over the processor feet. This simple procedure will sometimes restore the BIOS to normal operation.

The BIOS is a program that is responsible for the initial startup of the operating system as soon as the personal computer is turned on. Its name stands for or "basic input-output system". What is a BIOS in a computer? Why is it needed and what functions does it perform?

Its main task is troubleshooting. This is done by testing the device. If everything went well, then the operating system loader is searched for and then started.

Now that we have figured out what a BIOS is in a computer and what it is responsible for, we can proceed to the question of the reasons for the download failure.

Signs of errors

You can worry about a system malfunction when one of the following occurs when your computer starts up:

when the power button is activated, there is no reaction (it is also worth checking how it is connected);
the computer starts up, but the screen does not react in any way, and the BIOS itself emits error signals;
an error message appears when the device starts up; keyboard buttons do not respond;
the computer starts up without errors, but too quickly; without the ability to load the BIOS.

Key entry error

The first thing worth noting is that the hotkeys for launching the program on each motherboard are different. And sometimes, the combination required to start the BIOS may not be displayed at all on the screen when the device starts up. This complicates the task considerably. Therefore, in order to select the necessary key combinations to enter the BIOS, you will have to choose from:

Del (on some keyboards - Delete).

In the event that none of them fit, it is worth searching the Internet for the motherboard model. Most often, this characteristic can be found in the description on the manufacturer's website or on various thematic forums.

Ports problem

This may be the simplest reason why BIOS does not boot. The problem may be that the USB port to which the keyboard was connected stopped working correctly, and, therefore, the device itself stopped responding to any interaction with it.

The solution is extremely simple and obvious - change the keyboard connection port to one that works stably. If we are talking about a stationary computer, you should use the USB located on the motherboard. Unlike those installed in the case, they last longer and more stable.

Now you can restart your computer and boot the BIOS again.

Input device problem or error

Before you start working with this program, you should definitely make sure that the input device is working properly. And it doesn't matter whether it is necessary to check some data on the system or install a new BIOS firmware (this will be discussed a little later). If suddenly nothing happens when you press the correct key, it is worth performing several actions:

check the functionality of the USB ports (described above);
make sure that the keyboard itself, as well as the necessary keys, work stably.

There are also various ways on how to enter BIOS without a keyboard. It is also worth noting that it is not advisable to use a wireless keyboard when working with BIOS. Only if there is no wired device, although this is not so critical.

There are situations when the BIOS firmware is too old and does not support the USB interface for the input device. To fix this, you will have to use a keyboard with a PS / 2 connector. You can also purchase a matching adapter for a modern port.

Errors in working with devices

In a specific case, the problem is that some of the devices connected to the computer does not work correctly and leads to errors. Because of the latter, the BIOS is not loaded.

To check for a startup error, you should do the following:

turn off all drives, solid state drives and hard drives;
remove all devices connected to the motherboard;
disable the discrete graphics card.

In the event that the problem is solved, it is worth starting to connect all the devices one by one. This will help determine why the BIOS is not loading. Once the defective part is identified, you can contact the repair service to find out if it needs to be fixed or not.

Sound prompts

The following often happens: the computer starts up, the BIOS is called, but signals are emitted instead, and the program does not work. In this case, you need to record the type of signal and contact the Internet for help.

There you can find tables that list all the signals that the system can emit in such a situation. Next, you just need to find your signals among the rest and find out what problem they are reporting and how else to solve.

Problem with program settings

A similar error occurs when the user of the device makes any changes to the BIOS itself. One of the solutions to the problem may be to return the program to the factory settings. This can be done as follows:

Open the system unit or unscrew the bottom cover of the laptop.
Find the CMOS button on the motherboard (located next to the battery). By default it is in position 1-2.
Switch it to position 3-4. Hold this for about 30 seconds.
Return to the previous state.

Errors with the motherboard

This part is the most important part in any device. In fact, she is a computer. In the event that there are suspicions that the BIOS is not loaded precisely because of her, it is worth performing several important operations:

Examine the motherboard. Various physical injuries may appear on it. It is also worth checking it for oxidation and changes in capacitors.
If no changes were found in the structure of the part, it is necessary to carry out diagnostics. For this, all devices that were connected to it are turned off. Only the processor and speakers need to be left to control the audio signals. Connect only the monitor and the power cable from the system to the system unit.
Now you need to reset the settings. To do this, you need to remove the battery. After about 10 seconds, reinsert it.
You can start the device. If at the same time sound signals appear, the motherboard is functioning. Otherwise, it is worth considering a replacement.

In the event of a breakdown of such an important part, it is worth contacting the service center. Perhaps it can be brought into working order.

Can I update BIOS from a USB flash drive?

The BIOS installation procedure itself is necessary when the computer has an outdated version that requires an update. Also, the reason may be a conflict in the connected device, or the system data has been damaged by a virus.

Now let's look at the algorithm for how to update BIOS from a USB flash drive.

Defining the board model

It is worth noting that this is not so much a BIOS update as the installation of new drivers on the motherboard. You can define a model in the following ways:

if an expensive and professional part was purchased, then its full name will be indicated on the package, as well as in the accompanying instructions;
the same applies to mid-range motherboards; their type is indicated on the front of the box;
in the event that the part came in a simple cardboard package or was installed in advance, you should turn to the software:
to find out the model of the motherboard and the BIOS version on Windows 10, call the "Run" command window by pressing the Win and R keys;
enter "msinfo32" in the line;
click "OK";
in the window that appears, find a line that will contain information about the system, as well as the BIOS version.

You can also use the "AIDA64 Extreme" program. It is paid, but has a trial period of 30 days. Can you find out the model of the board with its help? by going to the "Summary Information" section. It will be in the list on the left. After that, you need to select the item with information about the motherboard.

Where can I get the firmware?

To update an outdated BIOS version on Windows 10, follow the sequence below:

enter the mother card model in the search engine and go to the manufacturer's resource;
find the download section and select the required software;
in the new section, select the newest firmware that has the "Instant Flash" mark; download;
unzip the downloaded file to a formatted USB flash drive;
insert it into the device to be reinstalled and restart it.

The process of installing BIOS from a USB flash drive

Now you need to carefully follow the further sequence of actions in order to install the new firmware without any problems:

As soon as the computer starts to start, press the BIOS activation button. It could be (F1, F2, Del (Delete)).
Now you need to go to the "Instant Flash" section. The firmware version and the source of its storage (flash drive) will be recognized by the system automatically.
Next, a drive with a recorded BIOS source is selected, as well as the firmware file itself.
Press the enter key and wait for the installation of the program.

It is also worth noting that sometimes it becomes necessary to boot from the drive that stores the installer. To do this, you must:

when starting the device, press the keys to activate the BIOS;
find the BOOT tab;
find Boot Device Priority in it; This menu sets the boot priority for devices connected to the computer. According to the standard, the first is always the hard disk on which the operating system is installed;
now you need to select this line;
then the flash drive with the installed file is selected and the enter button is activated;
now you need to press the F10 key and leave the program menu, while saving the settings.
after the computer restarts, the installer written to the USB flash drive will be launched.

Important points

There are several rather serious remarks regarding the work with the parameters of the BIOS program. They are listed below:

It is undesirable to engage in reinstallation if the computer is stable. There is always a risk of harming the system, and therefore, you should not resort to such serious actions if you are not sure that you can do everything correctly. Or that it is really necessary.
When downloading BIOS firmware, you should pay attention only to full versions, not alpha or beta.
During the installation process or fixing errors, do not disconnect the computer from the power supply. Failure to do so may result in irreparable problems. It is also worth getting an uninterruptible power supply.
Before installing a new version of the program, read the instructions for the firmware of the motherboard. It often comes with a part.

The basic I / O system is the beginning of the electronic life of a computer. In the event of a hardware or software malfunction of the BIOS microchip, the safe start of the computing device simply becomes impossible. Despite the extreme degree of reliability of the specified element of the computer system, software failures in the basic microsystem (in view of many factors!) Still take place. In most cases, the problem "BIOS does not start: what to do?" allowed by an elementary replacement of the CMOS battery, otherwise it is required to apply a comprehensive diagnostic plan, and only after identifying the cause of the malfunction, make a repair (correct!) algorithm of actions, -. details in the article!

Not a short introduction: small BIOS and big consequences ...

Indeed, everything depends on a small microcircuit, which contains a set of microprograms in its memory, and in the aggregate is the basic microsystem of a computer! Found, in our time, very rare, electronic ailment - damage to the main record of the BIOS of the system (not to be confused with the temporary data stored in the CMOS memory!) - This is a "dead" motherboard. That is, the motherboard becomes completely useless, since it lacks a triggering control element.

A partial failure of the BIOS of a microchip can be accompanied by an incredible set of surprises, both hardware and software. In general, the beginning of all computing beginnings is a small microcircuit with a certain set of programs. The degree of efficiency of the used computer depends on how correctly you configure the BIOS, directly affecting the overall operational life of the computing device as a whole. If, dear reader, all of the above has become news to you, then it makes sense to think: "Do I follow the manufacturer's critical instructions regarding operating rules?"

Why the BIOS suddenly stopped starting: a little about all the reasons

Let's get down to specifics, because the “won't start” situation may look different:

When you press the "on" button, nothing happens - a black screen and silence.
The computer turns on, the screen flickers with a black void (no active) - the noise of the fans is heard and the system speaker (BIOS speaker) beeps.
The computing device starts, some message is displayed on the screen - the buttons do not react, except perhaps ... the restart is working.
The system loads too quickly (and, safely!), But you can't get into BIOS.

There is another interpretation of the voiced problem, when a novice user does not correctly understand what exactly is happening and at the same time asks the question, but how to enter BIOS at all? Let's start with the last one ...

How to enter basic computer settings

Depending on the BIOS version (s), as well as on the design features of the computer, access to the basic settings may be radically different from the methods that are considered standard.

For example, in most PC modifications, the entrance to the BIOS is made by pressing the function button "F2" or "Delete". Moreover, activation of one of these buttons is carried out directly at the moment of starting the computer system at its initial stage. By the way, there is a special technique for invoking the main BIOS menu - repeatedly pressing the corresponding button with an interval of two presses per second.

There are other "tactile schemes" for entering the BIOS - some manufacturers supply their devices with special mechanisms, push-button or lever type, when activated, the user enters the service menu of the basic microsystem. However, there are also more exotic touch buttons. However, the essence of the listed keys and service gadgets is the same - calling the BIOS Setup menu.

As for the "high-speed resistance" to the moment of entering the basic menu of computer settings, there are several options for solutions:

Enter the BIOS menu via Windows OS - use this link to read how this is done.

Try calling BIOS using other service keys, for example "F8".

Finally, you can get into the basic settings using the rescue disk "System Restore" or a distribution kit with Windows.

Black Screen and Silence: Causes and Solutions

This "electronic opportunity" has a rather long list of "causes and effects", nevertheless, it is possible to single out the main symptoms of a malfunction, namely, to identify the real culprit of the "silent celebration" in the shortest possible time.

With a probability of 99.9%, the power supply has failed. Naturally, replacing a component with a known good power supply unit will correct the situation towards "The problem is resolved!"

The power button is out of order - replacing the switching element or checking the wire for mechanical damage (obvious breakage, deformation of the wire, oxidation of contacts, etc.), of course, with its subsequent restoration (soldering, cleaning).

Dust contamination of the inside of the computer case (especially important for portable computer equipment - laptop) - it is necessary to remove dust from all components of the motherboard, as well as the supplied modules and strapping equipment. Do not forget to clean the air intake grilles and other structural elements of the enclosure.

The computer turns on, but the monitor screen is "full of black secrets"

As a rule, problems with starting a computer system are always accompanied by a specific sound signal, the tonality and sound sequence of which has its own decryption code.

To solve the described problem, you can also try to change the computer's power supply, but to a greater degree such "PC behavior" indicates that the BIOS has detected a faulty component in the system: one of the memory sticks (RAM) is out of order, the hard drive has broken or the processor temperature has reached a critical level. In the latter case, it is necessary to replace the thermal paste and check the cooler of the cooling system for serviceability.

Otherwise, user actions should be as follows:

Disconnect all peripheral devices (printer, fax, webcam, external storage devices, etc.).

Remove all RAM modules.

Disconnect hard drives.

Switch to another graphics mode - change the video circuit from integrated to discrete, or switch to an integrated video chip if you used an external video card.

If the empty mainland starts up, throw one at a time from the previously disconnected components and carefully monitor the reaction of the microsystem as a whole. In any case, if the BIOS starts up, then you have already achieved a positive result!

By the way, do not forget that a black screen can be the result of a failed monitor. Laptops are often damaged by the integrity of the connecting cable, which is constantly subjected to dynamic stress when opening / closing the display cover. In the latter case, it is better to contact a laptop repair service center. Both in the first and in the second case, to check the truth of the assumption, you can always try to connect an external monitor to the VGA connector.

At the end

Here, in short, is the entire list of instructions on the problem "BIOS does not start: what to do." We hope everything worked out for you and access to the basic settings is restored. Of course, one should not lose sight of another not described way of eliminating the problem that has arisen - switch the CMOS jumper to the RESET position (then return the contact element to its original position).

You know, this article has a long continuation, because the BIOS may not start due to swollen capacitors, as well as "dead" transistors ... Don't miss it!