Bios menu not appear on screen

Question

Hello!

I tried a setting in BIOS because my PC didn't recognize the video card, what I bought. I turned OFF Legacy Option ROMs, and I turned ON the Secure Boot. The system is/was on UEFI mode. Since then I can't open the BIOS, and the Dell logo doesn't appear after turning ON the PC. Before these settings, I had no problem opening the BIOS. My PC connected to a TV with a HDMI cable. When I try to open the BIOS, appear a message on my TV screen: Not supported resolution. Change the resolution of the external device.

Interesting is the Windows is boot perfectly, only the BIOS and the Dell logo not appear on the screen. I removed the CMOS battery, waited for 30 minutes, and I put back the battery, but the problem doesn't solved. I have not a monitor, so I can't try it other screen. How can I solve the problem?

Chino de Oro · Accepted Answer

If your newly bought graphics card did not work, try to return it. If you planned to upgrade your Optiplex as a media machine for your TV, get a better graphics card capable of 4K playback.

You would have better chance of resolve the issue on your own rather than waiting for some one else. Just use integrated graphics connection for now and try F12 at every boot hoping that your TV set will adjusting proper resolution with EDID signal.

redxps630 · Answer

Try clear cmos settings via motherboard CMOS CLR (or RTCRST) jumper.

when you are using a video card, pre-boot basic video (bios) may not be sent to the card until post is complete and pc boots to Windows. If multi display is off in bios, the integrated video port may receive no video signal either. Ideally you want bios video to be sent via video card to hdmi of tv, but this may be difficult. to temporarily access bios again, try connect tv to integrated video. If no video at all because your optiplex either does not support multi display or has that feature turned off, try remove video card. this is a work around, not ideal solution.

Sandic · Answer

I tried to clear CMOS.

I pulled the jumper out of position 2-3 and put it back in position 1-2 (according to the information on the motherboard, position 1-2 is for deletion, position 2-3 is for normal operation). I put the PC under power for 10 seconds, then put the jumper back in position 2-3.
I removed the video card from the PC and connected the TV to the integrated HDMI port.

Neither solution solved the problem. I don't understand, the BIOS used to work fine anyway, why does it bother the resolution that I turned on Secure boot?

Any other suggestions?

Chino de Oro · Answer

How often do you need to access BIOS??? Usually, the Dell logo flash screen and BIOS menu were there. But your monitor (TV) was not capable to display the resolution in between 1080p and 4k.

For example, your graphics card may try to display output at 2048 x 1536 (analog) or 2560 x 1600 (digital). While modern PC monitors would have no issue to display these resolution, a TV set can not and therefore, black screen.

Your temporary option, turn on legacy option rom to allow pc output (pre os) compatible mode with resolution below 1080p so TV set can display. Or using DVI, VGA connection to lower (pre os) resolution to within 1080p.

Your permanent option, get a different graphics card like this cheap 15 usd card that is capable of 4k display. It'd been tested with 4k TV and has no problem displaying BIOS menu.

Other than that, keep your current settings and your display should be okay once it boot into windows.

Sandic · Answer

I may need it at any time. For example, if I want to reinstall Windows, or now, when I suffer because the video card I just bought is not recognized by the PC.

It's like the BIOS wants to display at 720x480 resolution.

"Your temporary option, turn on legacy option rom"

This is what I would do if the BIOS was displayed on the TV. Unfortunately, I can only connect to the TV with an HDMI cable, there is no VGA or DVI input on the TV. Why does CMOS reset not flash Legacy Option ROM?

Another chance is someone with the same motherboard (Dell 042p49) and the same BIOS version (A22) as I do and describes how many times I press to turn off the Secure boot and let me turn on the Legacy Option ROM. For example, press the down arrow 3x, then Enter, then tab, etc.

Sandic · Answer

I took the PC to my relatives and connected it to their TV. The BIOS menu appeared there, I was able to turn the Legacy Option ROM back, and now I can open the BIOS menu on my TV. Thanks for the help!

Optiplex Desktops

Bios menu not appear on screen

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