Latitude 5531 Boot Loop, Can't Get to Boot Menu

Question

Hi All,

Just received 7 brand new Latitude 5531 laptops. Normally I order these with Windows preinstalled. But I already have access to Windows licensure by other means, so I thought I would save some costs and order them without Windows (but with Linux instead).

Now I'm trying to install Windows on these. (Attempting to configure one so I can capture an image and deploy it to the others.) I created a Windows 10 bootable USB. When I plug it in to one of my Latitudes and attempt to launch the boot menu via F12, it tells me it's starting a one-time boot menu, but then immediately restarts. Same thing happens when trying to launch the BIOS. If I remove the USB, I can get to either no problem.

I've tested my USB with an older Latitude. No problems. Can get right to the boot menu and launch the USB. The media is fine.

I've poked around in the BIOS settings, disabled fast boot, and some other stuff. No luck. Reset the BIOS settings to both BIOS defaults and factory defaults. Same behavior. BIOS version 1.9. Is there another version I should try?

Please help.

Edit: I should add, the laptops reboot continually while the USB is plugged in, whether I'm trying to launch the BIOS or boot menu or not. Yes, it's happening on all of my new Latitudes, no it doesn't happen on other systems.

ejn63 · Answer

There are two possible complications.

First, the new system is UEFI-only. If the flash drive you've prepared does work on an older system running in legacy mode, you must make sure your boot media are UEFI-compliant. The easiest way to do this is using the Microsoft Media Creation Tool.

The other complication is that Dell generally ships the system in IRST/RAID mode, meaning you must have the IRST driver on the flash drive and pause the installation to load it. Alternatively, turn IRST off in setup (F2 at powerup) and you won't need the driver. If you do need the driver, it's the third one here:

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download/15667/intel-rapid-storage-technology-intel-rst-user-interface-and-driver.html?wapkw=intel%20rst

ryan00 · Answer

I've confirmed the bootable USB is UEFI, as that was the default when I created it with Rufus. I'll take a look at your other suggestion. Thank you.

ryan00 · Answer

I misclicked and chose your answer as a solution. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a way to undo that.I found the BIOS setting you referred to and tried both of the other listed settings, including disabling it. It did not work. I'm still having the same problem.

WesselK · Answer

Try using the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft. Then it will work.

cp21 · Answer

Same problem as described here. Seems to happen when the device name of the usb key is too long.

https://www.dell.com/community/Latitude/Dell-5421-Boot-to-USB-or-BIOS-with-USB-Inserted-Stuck-on-Dell/td-p/8330772

Latitude

Latitude 5531 Boot Loop, Can't Get to Boot Menu

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