Unable to access BIOS at startup

I am converting from Windows 7 Pro to Windows 10 Pro, using a clean new disk and a new licence. I am having problems with a recent W 10 update, that introduced a problem with a 'PCI Data Acquisition and Signal Processing Controller - Driver'. (See another thread). In Windows 7 this device does not exist and the error did not appear at every startup of W 10 as it does now.

I have downloaded Panasonic's .CAB file for Windows 10, but can't get it installed.

I guess that as it's updating Windows files, it needs the laptop to re-boot and install the changes before returning to run Windows - just like a Windows update. I've found information suggesting accessing the BIOS and selecting an option, however I am unable to access BIOS at startup, using the normal <F2> key. I found this:-

Kari said:

You can boot to Advanced Startup Options from Windows desktop, then access BIOS / UEFI settings or select boot device from there. Easiest way to access Advanced Startup Options is to press WIN + R to open Run dialog, type shutdown /r /o /f /t 00 and hit Enter.

Tutorial: Boot to Advanced Startup Options in Windows 10 Installation Upgrade Tutorials
Kari

However the Run dialog did not work. Also following the tutorials link has a problem as the 'Advanced Options' UEFI option is not provided. I have tried a few other suggestions found on-line but all fail.

One reported, "A number of users have complained that for some reason they can’t access BIOS on Windows 7 and Windows 10 operating systems. This seems to be a problem that arises on dual GPU PCs."

My laptop, a Panasonic Toughbook CF-31Mk3, has dual GPUs, an AMD Radeon HD7750M and an Intel HD Graphics 4000. Incidentally, the Panasonic application to select a GPU for every program is missing from the standard Windows installation. I am hopping that the .CAB file will address this and other similar problems.

Running Version 1909 build 18363.535.

So are there any other ways of accessing the BIOS/UEFI?

Landyman said:

... I am unable to access BIOS at startup, using the normal <F2> key...

This can be due to Fast Startup being enabled in Windows 10. Fast Startup is a form of hibernation, and systems resuming from hibernation often skip the bios screen where you could press F2 to enter the bios. If you use Restart rather than Shut down from the Start menu power button then you should be able to use F2 to enter the bios.

sygnus21 said:

FYI, most laptops come with manuals to tell you how to enter the BIOS. You can also find the manual on the net. By the time you go through all this you could have found the manual and been done.

My two cents.

The problem is that Windows 10 does not work like the OEM Windows 7.

On Windows 7, the start screen displays a message to press F2 , but on Windows 10 this is missing and F2 does not work. Nor do any of the other keys normally used by different manufacturers.

Panasonic, in it's manual, also advises to touch the top left of the screen, as this is a touch screen Toughbook. That also does not work in Windows 10.

I have spent two and a half days researching a solution to this problem.

dalchina said:

Have you disabled Fast startup as Bree suggested in post #2?

I have disabled Fast startup and this makes no difference.

- - - Updated - - -

I have discovered the cause of the problem. I also use a CF-53, which also has the same problem and I am also attempting to convert it from W 7 Pro to Windows 10 Pro. Both have an external monitor attached, but not always switched on. The CF-31 uses it's D-15 connector and the CF-53 it's HDML connector.

Removing both monitor cables then both display the blue background with Panasonic in large white letters with the F2 message bottom left.

Pressing F2 and the Aptio Setup Utility (BIOS) appears.