Can not access bios

Win 10 64 bit pro version 10.0.19045 Last major update from 21H .. to 22H ..
250 gb Samsung SSD, 32 GB Ram
Mother board Asus B450M-HDV R4.0

Need to access BIOS to check version because am upgrading PC with newer CPU. Old CPU not compatible with some of the latest win 10 features and is the only thing left not compatible for upgrade to Win 11.

Problem ONLY showed up after extensive and unsuccessful attempts to access the BIOS version all failed. All those attempts ALWAYS caused the PC to freeze with a "BLACK" screen. Only option to continue was to hold the power button down for a time to force it to turn off or pull the plug out of the wall. Upon turning PC on everything always went back to normal. This was done many times over last few days trying to get into BIOS.

THEN the last attempt to restart COMPLETELY killed the PC and I no longer re-boot to a normal working PC any more and instead now have this:



For some reason NO normal recovery options work. Have original MS USB Key install media. A backup program recovery USB key. A Partition utility recovery key. An MS original retail win 10 Pro install disk. Also removed the existing C: drive and replaced it with a brand new "clone" of the old drive that was made the day before the problem started. Took the original drive and the cloned drive (both IDENTICAL) and all diagnostics show they are perfect. I've disconnected everything to have a bare system and nothing works.

I can now NOT boot the pc at all. NO kind of recovery will work and tried installing a brand new drive to build a new windows system but NONE of the media works. Not a CD, DVD, not via USB, buss mounted CD/DVD drive OR any installed SSD or mechanical drive.

Trying all ways to boot (safe mode etc.) won't work as the PC never gets past the initial boot process. So hitting any key (like <del> or F2 etc. or trying to get it work with any plug in device now gives me that error. And any recovery media inserted by any means is not recognized

Could this be some kind of "CMOS" problem?

First, did you mean ASROCK (not ASUS)?

Did you run msinfo32 to find your BIOS version?

You should be able to run msinfo32 and then find the BIOS version in the system summary section.

As for not being able to enter the BIOS, it's possible that you may need to use the jumper to perform a clear CMOS operation. It may then likely take you into the BIOS automatically then after the clear CMOS operation.

1. while it boots very fast I can assure you this is not a "fast boot" issue. I've spent literally hours trying to mash the keys. I have EASILY done that successfully probably thousands of times. (Am a retired Computer repair shop owner) and although 90 percent of the work in the shop was done by my three technicians) over a few decades I have "seen" a few computers. <grin> Been building my own computers since before the IBM PC was invented. <grin>

2. Sorry yes it's an ASROCK. Am approaching 80 yrs young and brain isn't what it used to be. And any reports, etc. like msinfo32 although run many times over the years are not available for THIS PC. I'm sure I can find a copy of one or two but the info is not available cuz all those reports are on the dead pc's hard drive. FWIW I have four PCs here and usually have documented info on all of them but THIS PC 's past reports and docs are not available. Yeah I guess I can take the original C: drive out (again) and examine it with another working PC but it is a 19 inch rack mounted thing mounted in a commercial communications rack and is a real PITA remove to work on.

3. Unfortunately most help regarding various trouble shooting technique involve using a "working" computer. I guess I'll have to pull thing out of the rack (again) and put it on the bench and give a good lock at what I think is the "only"? thing left? Most likely a corrupted CMOS. Thanks for the help and suggestions. I was hoping I missed something and someone might hit on a possible thing I haven't thought of. FWIW this thing was built to run a lot "ham radio" equipment and software. Has serial, audio and usb ports to control Radios, rotor controllers and interfaces for digital RF communications. Has been working flawlessly for past several years and sadly has so much "stuff" attached to it that just getting it fully disconnected and removed for servicing is quite complicated. I'll be back aft er I get it back on the work bench and check the battery and clear the CMOS and leave an update here. Thanks for the quick responses. Still working on it.

Rich A, thanks for the detailed response.

I'm a bit stumped as to why you would not be able to enter the BIOS settings. At this time,my only idea is still to perform a CMOS reset using the jumper on the MB. Admittedly, I have never had an ASROCK MB, but on all the systems that I have had, after I perform a clearing of the CMOS, it automatically takes me into the BIOS setup, suggesting that I choose the option to reset settings to defaults and then modify from there.

Good luck!

UPDATE: THANKS for the comments. PC is fixed. Without getting too technical I'll try to clarify. All the talk about how to access BIOS (regarding the keystrokes) is irrelevant in my case. When you turn on your PC your CPU FIRST grabs instructions from the IC that has the BIOS data and loads it into RAM. Got it. At that point the PC RAM now has all it needs about your PC world .. KB, mouse video, Hard drives etc. Now the PC CPU starts to execute all that info and from THAT point on your MOUSE and Keyboard ARE functional and working. So let's stop at that point and just forget the rest of the remaining processes which results in a normal working PC.

What do you think happens IF the IC that is storing all that BIOS info IS CORRUPT. You can not get the key board mouse or any other function to work UNTIL the bios info is successfully transferred to the RAM so the CPU can execute it. ONCE the CPU has all that info successfully stored in ram it executes it .. which activates the various hardware etc. (like the keyboard) and of course it's now continuing the rest of the boot process. At that time, you can now bang on the <del> or F2 key which will interrupt the remaining boot process and send you to the BIOS screen. Fast PCs do this quickly and you have to be quick to grab a key in time. BUT what if the IC with it's stored CMOS info is CORRUPTED. Now what gets fed to the RAM and is trying to be read by the CPU is garbage. You might have NO valid data for your Keyboard or mouse or monitor so you only end up with a BLACK frozen screen. Banging on the F2 key does nothing cuz the info needed by the CPU to control that hardware is garbage and you can bang on the keys 'til the cows come home and nothing will happen.

So THAT is what I found happened to me. A corrupted CMOS. I fixed it (maybe) by first checking the battery (which was fine) and then properly clearing the CMOS memory and draining all the capacitors and other "electron storage" units. <grin> I say it's maybe fixed because I could not determine the CAUSE of the corruption. It could be a poor solder joint on the IC or who knows what? The CMOS looks fine now. And now I can EASILY access any of the boot key sequences (to access BIOS or change the Boot order, or boot drive etc. with one keystroke. While this PC was broken none of those options worked. Now I'm looking to see if anyone else has a similar problem and found what caused it. I'll have to watch that PC carefully for any hint of a recurrence. I really appreciate the offers and suggestions as this was a weird one for me. Will mark this case closed but surely will revisit this topic when and IF I ever find the actual cause.

Ghot said:

@Rich A


Sometimes the BIOS just glitches, gets confused.
Like maybe after a power failure, even a split second power failure.
Clearing the CMOS will fix this.

Yeah I agree about the "glitches" but always wonder how and why they happen, and strive to eliminate them. My PC environment here is probably a little unique although I'm sure there there is "someone" out there crazier than me. Everything in this "Radio / PC " room is put together with express detail to high power radio frequencies that I use. Bonding, grounding, surge protection, and custom built RF sealed PC chassis and all PCs and accessories have to work perfectly in a high powered radio transmitting environment. Of course the PCs have excellent hospital grade UPS and surge protection. I"d put my money on the cause of the GLITCH being one of the transmitters or amps or antenna feed lines having a loose or poor electrical connection and RF somehow got past all that shielding and bonding. That PC however is usually turned off when it's not being used. And has been working fine any time I've been using it, with or without the radios transmitting. Been checking all the radio stuff and other PCs and so far can not explain "this" glitch. Probably a gremlin hiding somewhere in the house. We are in a deep woods on a mountain top and know all about the normal animal repellents used to keep the critters away. Been searching the web forever for some kind of "gremlin" repellent but no joy there.