You're kidding - where you able to do the F2 get into bios before the A13 Update? - A11/A12 was the first set of BIOS release's that broke this ability.. I have a long thread about it here. I reported back that A13 still hasn't corrected that problem but we all found a work-around for now.
If your running Windows 8 Microsoft knew that this imay be an issue because of how fast the OS loads now on boot-up you really only have about 200ms to tap that F2/F8/F12 key during the BIOS splash screen, almost humanly impossible to do., so they changed things around and made it accessible other ways.
As to getting access now - if your running Windows 8,
Anywhere where you can select the "Power Option" to "Restart" if you hold down a "Shift Key" and select the "Restart Option" you'll be presented with a Windows Advanced Boot Menu. From there, you'll find many options to chose from, with one of them being the ability to get into the BIOS.
Basically just before the system is about to shutdown and restart the menu comes up, you chose and instantly your selection invokes.
Cheers
Edit: What BIOS version where you before doing the update??
I have installed it, haven't the chance to test GPU throttle issues as of yet, probably won't until the weekend. As to Menu changes - there are none, no place to change anything in regards to GPU's if that's what your asking.
BIOS did fix issue with enabling AES (Encryption) instruction set being available now within the CPU - prior it was disabled. But, there's no way to enable it or disable it in BIOS. Which is OK, it shouldn't effect anything other then improving Encryption type Software 10 fold.
I posted in another thread about Dell drivers being labeled "Maintain release" - obvious drivers are being outsourced to a non-English speaking country. Correct vocabulary should be "Maintenance Release" but that in itself is still useless information, what exactly was maintained would be better .
@B0real - was your unit shipped with A12? I've seen folks who had A12 shipped on their units and have no issues with F2, including those who had their motherboard replaced which came with A12 as well. Mine was shipped with A10, going to A11 I can't recall if there was an issue, but going to A12 I lost the ability to use the F2/F12 keys.
Seems like Upgrading causing the issue... I bet those who had their motherboards replaced got A12 found it working, if they try going to A13 it will break again. :( not good, not good at all.
Edit - Oh and when you get into the BIOS can you do me a favor - check what you have listed for boot options in the Boot Priority Section, see if you have "Windows Boot Manager" listed or if it just states "Network Boot. Look at my long thread post, and you'll see those of us that lost the ability to use F2/F12 during a BIOS upgrade also have a Boot Issue where we have to now and then power the unit on twice because it hangs during the Dell Splash Screen. If that's the case, then Dell is really screwing up with the BIOS updates and bringing in problems that should have been corrected at least to my understanding A13 was to correct those issues. Can't tell because it's listed as "Maintain Release" - what the heck does that mean anyways???
I went through two of these 7720's. My first unit shipped with A10 and I had no problems entering the BIOS. I upgraded to A12 and that was when I started to experience the issues with accessing the BIOS as well as the boot problems. My second unit shipped with A12 and I have no problems accessing the BIOS using F2/F12 and no problems at all with booting (Still not flashed to A13). At first I thought that the GPU boost issues were not present but after further investigation I still have problems with the GPU boost.
I will install A13 when I get home from work and see how it behaves. This way we can see if there are any differences between people who flashed themselves from A10/A11 --> A12 --> A13 compared to those who received their systems with A12 and then flashed to A13.
I receive it in january with the A11 version. I have made the upgrade to A12 without problem at it's release. With the A13 version,I must mention that i can use the F12 key to access the boot menu but i don't have the option to run Setup...
It is strange that this laptop reacts differently from one person to another for a couple of things... not good.
Edit - Oh and when you get into the BIOS can you do me a favor - check what you have listed for boot options in the Boot Priority Section, see if you have "Windows Boot Manager" listed or if it just states "Network Boot. Look at my long thread post, and you'll see those of us that lost the ability to use F2/F12 during a BIOS upgrade also have a Boot Issue where we have to now and then power the unit on twice because it hangs during the Dell Splash Screen. If that's the case, then Dell is really screwing up with the BIOS updates and bringing in problems that should have been corrected at least to my understanding A13 was to correct those issues. Can't tell because it's listed as "Maintain Release" - what the heck does that mean anyways???
I will check this later at home and keep you inform.
Still trying to figure out what WAS fixed myself.. I can see that AES has been enabled now on the CPU, at least I can do hardware based encryption which is easily 10 times better in speed compared to software only encryption. Truecrypt will see a boost in it for me that's for sure.
Other then that, who knows what this was supposed to fix, as my other issues are still there.
CyberMaxX360
272 Posts
0
March 21st, 2013 10:00
You're kidding - where you able to do the F2 get into bios before the A13 Update? - A11/A12 was the first set of BIOS release's that broke this ability.. I have a long thread about it here. I reported back that A13 still hasn't corrected that problem but we all found a work-around for now.
If your running Windows 8 Microsoft knew that this imay be an issue because of how fast the OS loads now on boot-up you really only have about 200ms to tap that F2/F8/F12 key during the BIOS splash screen, almost humanly impossible to do., so they changed things around and made it accessible other ways.
As to getting access now - if your running Windows 8,
Anywhere where you can select the "Power Option" to "Restart" if you hold down a "Shift Key" and select the "Restart Option" you'll be presented with a Windows Advanced Boot Menu. From there, you'll find many options to chose from, with one of them being the ability to get into the BIOS.
Basically just before the system is about to shutdown and restart the menu comes up, you chose and instantly your selection invokes.
Cheers
Edit: What BIOS version where you before doing the update??
Ghost76
20 Posts
0
March 21st, 2013 10:00
oh, it is a mistake that needs BIOS recovery
Ghost76
20 Posts
0
March 21st, 2013 10:00
No, but you know how :)
CyberMaxX360
272 Posts
0
March 21st, 2013 10:00
I have installed it, haven't the chance to test GPU throttle issues as of yet, probably won't until the weekend. As to Menu changes - there are none, no place to change anything in regards to GPU's if that's what your asking.
BIOS did fix issue with enabling AES (Encryption) instruction set being available now within the CPU - prior it was disabled. But, there's no way to enable it or disable it in BIOS. Which is OK, it shouldn't effect anything other then improving Encryption type Software 10 fold.
I posted in another thread about Dell drivers being labeled "Maintain release" - obvious drivers are being outsourced to a non-English speaking country. Correct vocabulary should be "Maintenance Release" but that in itself is still useless information, what exactly was maintained would be better .
B0real
40 Posts
0
March 21st, 2013 10:00
oh boy, a bios recovery. Serious? It is difficult to make this?
B0real
40 Posts
0
March 21st, 2013 10:00
Which menu are you talking about?
Since I did the update A13, I can not enter the BIOS anymore ... : (
CyberMaxX360
272 Posts
0
March 21st, 2013 11:00
Hey Rafterman414 nice to see you again... you're a brave soul checking that out. LOL
Ghost76
20 Posts
0
March 21st, 2013 11:00
Use anything :) but the error Bios happens with any version of the BIOS :)
CyberMaxX360
272 Posts
0
March 21st, 2013 11:00
@B0real - was your unit shipped with A12? I've seen folks who had A12 shipped on their units and have no issues with F2, including those who had their motherboard replaced which came with A12 as well. Mine was shipped with A10, going to A11 I can't recall if there was an issue, but going to A12 I lost the ability to use the F2/F12 keys.
Seems like Upgrading causing the issue... I bet those who had their motherboards replaced got A12 found it working, if they try going to A13 it will break again. :( not good, not good at all.
Edit - Oh and when you get into the BIOS can you do me a favor - check what you have listed for boot options in the Boot Priority Section, see if you have "Windows Boot Manager" listed or if it just states "Network Boot. Look at my long thread post, and you'll see those of us that lost the ability to use F2/F12 during a BIOS upgrade also have a Boot Issue where we have to now and then power the unit on twice because it hangs during the Dell Splash Screen. If that's the case, then Dell is really screwing up with the BIOS updates and bringing in problems that should have been corrected at least to my understanding A13 was to correct those issues. Can't tell because it's listed as "Maintain Release" - what the heck does that mean anyways???
B0real
40 Posts
0
March 21st, 2013 11:00
Thanks CyberMax, I will try your tips with the shift key this evening.
Before, i was using A12 since it's release and i confirm i was able to press F2 to enter the Bios easily.
Rafterman414
1 Rookie
•
62 Posts
0
March 21st, 2013 11:00
I went through two of these 7720's. My first unit shipped with A10 and I had no problems entering the BIOS. I upgraded to A12 and that was when I started to experience the issues with accessing the BIOS as well as the boot problems. My second unit shipped with A12 and I have no problems accessing the BIOS using F2/F12 and no problems at all with booting (Still not flashed to A13). At first I thought that the GPU boost issues were not present but after further investigation I still have problems with the GPU boost.
I will install A13 when I get home from work and see how it behaves. This way we can see if there are any differences between people who flashed themselves from A10/A11 --> A12 --> A13 compared to those who received their systems with A12 and then flashed to A13.
B0real
40 Posts
0
March 21st, 2013 11:00
I receive it in january with the A11 version. I have made the upgrade to A12 without problem at it's release. With the A13 version,I must mention that i can use the F12 key to access the boot menu but i don't have the option to run Setup...
It is strange that this laptop reacts differently from one person to another for a couple of things... not good.
I will check this later at home and keep you inform.
palad1n
1 Rookie
•
74 Posts
0
March 21st, 2013 13:00
I just tested new BIOS A13 a NO, gpu issue is still there, i bet the staff here didn´t even report this to technical department....
B0real
40 Posts
0
March 21st, 2013 14:00
Ok,
At startup, I pressed F12. The options were:
UEFI BOOT:
- Windows boot manager
- Second HardDrive
- Network boot
Other options
-Diagnostics
exchange-boot mode setting.
I chose: Change boot mode setting.
I had the choice between:
Legacy boot mode, secure boot off
UEFI boot mode, secure boot on
I chose: UEFI boot mode to turn OFF.
Result: Now I no longer have access to either F12 or F2 ... : (
My only positive result: I have the same bugs as everyone now. :/
I tried rollback to A12. Same result. I install version A13 again, no more change.
CyberMaxX360
272 Posts
0
March 21st, 2013 14:00
Still trying to figure out what WAS fixed myself.. I can see that AES has been enabled now on the CPU, at least I can do hardware based encryption which is easily 10 times better in speed compared to software only encryption. Truecrypt will see a boost in it for me that's for sure.
Other then that, who knows what this was supposed to fix, as my other issues are still there.