No access to visual BIOS

[60DO]

F2 Key leads to black screen and unresponsive keyboard (can't reboot with ctrl/alt/suppr.
F2 has worked with the same keyboard and screen. Have updated bios in steps and now version 83 on Nuc8i5beh. No upgrade has shown something different. No OS is yet installed as the new SSD is not recognised to boot on hence the need to get acces to the bios. Loosing patience and amazed such "easy" issue can't find a solution. Any help is welcome

[n_scott_pearson]

Thank you for opening a separate report.

Please tell me exactly what monitor(s) you have connected and how they are connected.

...S

[60DO]

Hi Scott,

I am using 2 monitors. The main one is a Samsung LS32R75 (32 inch 4k monitor) and an older IIyama ProLite B2409HDS. Both via HDMI cables. Both have worked fine several month with this NUC. They should not be the issue.

In the mean time I have done a successful BIOS recovery with the jumper removed BUT that has not solved my issue and I have upgraded successfully the BIOS to version 83 (latest) BUT still no improvements. It is really frustrating.

Any more ideas?

[n_scott_pearson]

So you are seeing the BIOS Splash Screen but pressing F2 gets you nothing but a blank screen?

There is obviously a history here. It sounds like this is attempt at upgrade? Please provide step by step description of the processes and states this NUC has gone through. 

...S

[60DO]

Brand new I installed an SSD and got all to work quite easily. I want to double the SSD size so bought a new one and built it in. Unfortunately the new SSD would not accepted as boot device though it was seen so I supposed some parameters had to be adjusted. In the mean time I have been repurposing the other SSD and can't use it to see if it would help like booting into windows and accessing the bios from there like I have read in the community. So here I am. I may try to load windows on a usb stick and from there then see what I can do but I fear this will be a waste of time.
Did I miss anything out?
Thanks

[n_scott_pearson]

Have you tried entering BIOS Setup using the Power Button Menu (PBM)? Power on holding the power button down for  a full 3 seconds (or until power LED turns amber). If the NUC doesn't power off (in which case you try again), wait and the PBM should appear. From this menu, hitting F2 should take you into BIOS Setup.

When you did the Windows 10 install attempt, you had UEFI enabled and you ensured that the new SSD (what brand and model?) had GPT partitioning enabled, right? If not, try that.

...S

[60DO]

Hi @n_scott_pearson Scott, I've activated the power button menu. F2 does not work while all other functions do.

The W10 install was almost 2 years ago. I can't remember what I did back then. I mentioned I would try a new install from a USB stick but have not done that yet.

[LeonWaksman]

Hi @60DO 

Could be that the reason for your problem is that you have Fast Boot enabled. 

1. Press and hold Power Button for about 3 seconds. Count 1001, 1002, 1003,1004. Release the Power Button. NUC should reboot into Power Button Menu. You should release the Power Button before 4-sec shut down override or when the Power Button LED changes color from blue to amber.
2. If Fast Boot is enabled you will see in the Power Button Menu an option: [F3] Disable Fast Boot.

Leon

[60DO]

Hi Leon, I lost the previous message so I'll keep it short. No F3 key appearing (see picture). All other keys work properly though.
I hoped the bios upgrade would bring all values back to default like F9 but it doesn't seem so.
Another change in addition to F2 not functioning is no more F key menu with the Intel NUC logo on the start screen (see picture).
I can't remember what changes I made if any the last time I saved the visual bios on exit which is frustrating. What else could I do to give you valuable indications.
Thanks

[LeonWaksman]

Hi @60DO 

1. The "F" menu is not visible since you have Secure Boot enabled in BIOS. However, while you see the Intel NUC logo and click ob F2, you should enter BIOS (although the menu is not visible, the keys are functioning). If the key is not functioning, use other keyboard (if you have one, use wired keyboard).

2. If you disable Secure Boot in BIOS settings, the "F" menu will show again.

Leon

[60DO]

Hi Leon @LeonWaksman 

I will try what you propose though I don't know the menu by heart and without visual it will be very difficult. Would you have a step by step "guide" ready or at least a description of all functions and how to access them?

Thanks

[LeonWaksman]

Hi @60DO 

Without video output it is difficult to change BIOS settings. The only one thing what you can do is to reset BIOS to the default settings. The BIOS function description you may find in  NUC Visual BIOS Glossary.

Leon

[60DO]

Hi Leon,
Thanks for the support.
How can I reset the bios to default in a blind mode (not seeing anything after F2 being invoked)? F9? When?...

[LeonWaksman]

Hi @60DO 

I've read again all post in this thread and I've to admit that I'm confused now; I can see from the attached image that you see video output (Power Button Menu or Intel NUC logo). So, when you say that F2 key is not working, actually it is working but after depressing on F2 you see black screen?

Leon

[60DO]

Yes Leon, this is what happens.
I believe the F2 key works but it leads me nowhere as I can't see anything on the blank screen (blank but not inactive as it stays on).

[LeonWaksman]

OK, now it is clear. Probably you did changed the Video settings: IGD Minimum Memory and/or IGD Aperture Size. Those settings are used for BIOS only, better do not change those settings from default. Now, in order to reset BIOS to default settings, follow those steps:

1. Power ON your NUC and while you see the Intel NUC logo click on F2 to enter BIOS (you will see black screen). You may enter BIOS also by clicking on F2 for the Power Button Menu.

2. While in BIOS (black screen in your case), click on F9, wait 3-5 seconds end click on "Y". 

3. Click on F10, wait 3-5 seconds and click on "Y" to save the default setting and exit from BIOS,

4. Depress Power Button and hold it until NUC is OFF.

5. Power ON your NUC and while you see the Intel NUC logo click on F2 to enter BIOS. Now you should see the BIOS screen.

I suggest that all the above do with  only one monitor connected, to make this process simple.

Leon

[60DO]

Hi Leon, I was really hoping it would work. Unfortunately not.
I have the feeling that keyboard becomes unresponsive once F2 has been pressed. If I unplug it and replug it not led (NUM lock or caps lock will go on). I tried with 2 different usb keyboards.

It's frustrating because as you mentioned I may have changed the video settings. Why can't F9 work? Strange.

[n_scott_pearson]

At the end of steps 2 and 3, try pressing <Enter> key after the Y.

Is F9 a typo? Did you mean to enter F2?

...S

[60DO]

Hi Scott,

I tried your advice (pressing <Enter> key after the Y) but still no success.

F9 was not a typo. I don't understand why the F9 function will not work while visual bios has been launched with F2.

Is there any other way to "drain the internal memory" of the NUC so that it goes back to default settings?

Thanks

[n_scott_pearson]

No. The configuration is stored in a portion of the flash component and thus there is no operation (other than the BIOS itself doing the F9) that will reset it to defaults. You can try clearing CMOS (by unplugging battery and power cables for 10-15 minutes), which signals the BIOS to ignore the configuration and boot in default mode, This may help you get F2 to work. 

...S

[60DO]

Hi Scott how can I do that? clearing CMOS (by unplugging battery and power cables for 10-15 minutes) I mean.

would you have a video or step by step guide you could direct me to?

Thanks for the support,

Godo