Cannot Disable 'Ultra Fast Boot' On BIOS

I'm trying to reformat a computer, as it's currently on Windows 7, with a password, and I want a Linux distribution on it instead.

I'm trying to access the BIOS to boot from either CD/DVD or USB.

I'm pretty sure 'Ultra Fast Boot' is enabled, which effectively skips the motherboard splash screens etc. I've tried literally every key, however I believe del is the correct key.

Motherboard model: Gigabyte GA-F2A78M-D62

I've tried removing the battery from the motherboard to reset the CMOS, this didn't work. I'm stuck for ideas.

Daniel Dewhurst

Posted 2015-12-10T16:03:13.757

Reputation: 223

1Will removing the HDD and powering up would stop the boot-up process? I think this would give you some options to change the boot order :) – RogUE – 2015-12-10T16:10:59.367

I think @RogUE is right, if you remove any bootable device then, at some point, your computer will give up and make you choose a device or offer the BIOS setup as an option. – Kinnectus – 2015-12-10T16:17:44.623

Maybe making windows want to go to safe mode will slow it down? Or is that confirmation also skipped? – Raystafarian – 2015-12-10T17:15:39.387

I'll just unplug the HDD and try, I'll get back to you after testing this. – Daniel Dewhurst – 2015-12-11T10:10:59.397

Answers

I'd mentioned in my question that I'd tried removing the battery from the motherboard to reset the CMOS. It turns out I wasn't doing it right. I was under the impression that you unplugged everything, removed the battery, and popped it back in. This isn't the case. You remove the battery and then leave the battery out when you boot. This then allowed me to access the BIOS settings, and disable fast boot.

I then put the battery back after adjusting the BIOS.

Daniel Dewhurst

Posted 2015-12-10T16:03:13.757

Reputation: 223

You can look up your motherboard's manual online. Most will explain how to reset the CMOS. Sometimes there's a jumper/etc. – binki – 2017-12-23T18:07:19.990

For full boot process, first do a full shutdown... Windows performs a hybrid shutdown by default. One way to force immediate, full shutdown is to enter this in the CMD prompt or just the Run line (Win+(R):

shutdown -s -f -t 00

After the shutdown, before powering up, hold the key(s) (e.g. Del or more likely (F2) to enter BIOS and keep them pressed while pressing and releasing the power button. Newer computers boot so quickly that there may not be time to press the keys, otherwise.
On Windows 8 and later versions, two or three (purposely) aborted boots can force the computer to give more boot options, such as Safe Mode or BIOS.

DrMoishe Pippik

Posted 2015-12-10T16:03:13.757

Reputation: 13 291

I already said that the windows installation was password protected, I can't run tun the CMD prompt. – Daniel Dewhurst – 2015-12-11T10:10:36.440

You can't use the Run prompt either? – DrMoishe Pippik – 2015-12-13T01:42:12.173

1I really don't think it's to do with Windows not completely shutting down, as I've removed the power supply, and battery from the motherboard. – Daniel Dewhurst – 2015-12-14T09:14:12.023

Boot windows. After loading windows restart it by clicking restart button. (you can do it without logging in). After that you can take BIOS.

Harikrishnan

Posted 2015-12-10T16:03:13.757

Reputation: 1 334

-1

While restarting press shift. You can do this in any restart menu. Doing this should skip the ultra fast boot.

EliteGaming Unleashed

Posted 2015-12-10T16:03:13.757

Reputation: 56

I'm not sure this will help him, since he is trying to do this before the BIOS, not while the computer is already running. – Simon Sheehan – 2016-06-02T14:39:09.440