Sorry this is not an answer.  The exact same thing happened to with my laptop (exact same model as yours) yesterday afternoon.  I cannot access the BIOS either.  I booted with the Dell Recovery USB stick inserted, but it doesn't appear to be set to look for it, so nothing changes.  Really need help - it would be very appreciated!!

Rick, sorry, can't boot into the BIOS neither. Just black screens.

Thanks Rick, but that didn't work either. Any other idea? Soulsister, let me know if you happen to find a way to access the  Boot Options screen or fix this problem. It's driving me crazy.

Rick, unfortunately no. I just get the Dell logo and then a black screen or sometimes a "Start PXE over IPv4" message on the black screen, but just stucks there. Nothing else happens. When I hit F2 or F12 or F8 while the computer starts, then i get the message "F12 Boot Options" on the black screen, but nothing further than that.

Undicimichelini,

Does the system boot into Windows?

If yes,

 Can you run Finding System Information REMOVE YOUR PRODUCT ID and REGISTERED OWNER and post the information back here. Maybe we can try a different approach.

Rick

Undicimichelini,

If you can boot into the BIOS, look at the network adapter to make sure they're enabled. IPv4 is something to do with the network adapter

Rick

Undicimichelini,

I don't have a Windows 8 system here at this time. This is by memory.

Restart the computer and press F2 at the Dell screen.

Disable fast boot

disable secure boot

enable legacy boot

Save and exit.

When you start, you should be able to tap F8 once a second and you should be able to get the boot menu.

Try Safe mode with networking.

Rick

Thanks for your help Rick. But that's my main problem. When I hit F2 (or F8 or F12) I do not get to the Boot Options Screen. The screen just goes black. Sometimes with a "F12 Boot Options" message on the lower right corner of the screen, but no menu shows up (of course, not even if I hit F12 nor any F key again).

Undicimichelini,

Unplug the ac adapter and press and hold the power button for 30 seconds, then turn on the computer.

Allow the computer to stay that way for 10 minutes., I have seen a blaank screen for around 5 minutes, when using system restore.

Is your computer under warranty?

Rick

Thanks for the help Rick! Holding down shift doesn't work (fyi) and the other suggestion requires being in Windows first. Haven't tried the 3'rd one yet.  I did get into the BIOS however I don't know what to do in it. (Undicimichelini - notes for you on getting into BIOS below) Didn't realize it was the BIOS because it is called, " Phoenix Secure Core Tiano Setup" and the acronym "bios" does not appear anywhere....

Proble Is : I don't have the options in the 'Boot' section of the BIOS that others have.  Under "Boot Priority Order" there is only one item: "+Network"

Opening that just allows me to choose between two LANs, one ending with IPv4 and the other IPv6.  There is no Boot Manager. No USB. No hard sisk option. Nothing.

Item (5) in the Boot Section is "Add Boot Option" - but when I select it I get the error, "Warning File System Not Found" and I hit OK and that's it. No way to add another boot option. (Both IPv's don't work).

Here are all the items listed in the Boot Section of the BIOS:

1)Boot Priority Order - UEFI  [only "+Network" in the list and it's highlighted by default]

2) Secure Boot (Enabled) - [ I can changed this to Disabled]

3) Load Legacy Option ROM (Disabled) - [arrow selection skips over this one, can't select it]

4) Boot List Option (UEFI) - [arrow selection skips over this one, can't select it]

5) Add Boot Option (Enter) - [gives error described above]

6) Delete Boot Option (Enter) - [not sure what this would do]

There are also options in the "Main" category of the BIOS which I'm not sure what to do with.  Here are the first 3 of 9 ( to give you an idea if changing these would help?):

Main (BIOS)

1) Intel (R) SpeedStep (tm)     Enabled

2) Virtulization                             Enabled

3) Integrated NIC                       Enabled

I think I need to Add a Boot Option, no?  So it can boot from the hard drive. But how do I get it to allow me to do that?  Will look at your 'suggestion from memory'.  Any specific help related to the above is appreciated!!  I spent my savings on this computer and no $ to get it repaired.  Thank-you!!!

Undicimichelini :

Below is from the user's manual for the Dell Inspiron 17r SE as to accessing the BIOS:

"Entering System Setup (BIOS)

CAUTION:

Do not change system setup configuration unless you

are an expert computer user. Incorrect configuration can cause your

computer to work incorrectly or damage your computer.

NOTE:

Before you change system setup configuration, it is

recommended that you note the current system setup configuration

for future reference.

1.Turn on (or restart) your computer.

2.When the DELL logo is displayed, wait for the F2 prompt to appear and

then press immediately.

NOTE:

The F2 prompt indicates that the keyboard has initialized.

This prompt appears quickly and is displayed only briefly. Therefore

you must press immediately once the prompt appears. If you

press before the prompt appears or after the prompt closes,

the keystroke is lost. If you wait too long and the operating system

logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft Windows

desktop. Then, shut down your computer and try again. "

It works for me and we have the exact same laptop and OS.  I begin tapping the key rapidly the second I turn it on and don't stop until the BIOS opens as you can easily miss the split second you're supposed to be hitting it.   I read in another forum to hold down the 'SHIFT' key while pressing F2.  If you want to look at the manuals you can find them here:  http://www.dell.com/support/Manuals/us/en/04/Product/inspiron-17r-se-7720 (it won't let me insert a link so copy and paste...) The "Me and My Dell" covers getting into BIOS...  Hope you have some luck - if I find the solution will be sure to post it and hope you will do likewise. :)

soulsister,

When you disable secure boot, you'll then get the option to enable legacy boot. This is the boot that everyone is familiar with with the older systems.

Rick

soulsister, thanks for your help, but unfortunatelly it does't work either. I tapp F2 and a bar appears as if something is being load with the "F12 Boot Options" message below, but then the bar dissapears and just the message remains on the screen. That's all. I'm totally lost on this one.

Undicimichelini : There is a 14 page thread here about not being able to access the BIOS on 7720 models (and maybe some others).  Most of it is over my head, but it appears to be related to BIOS updates not being stable with Windows 8....  One guy on page 7 found this quirky solution, and if you're as desperate as I am, you might want to try it.  Copied it below. Whole thread here: en.community.dell.com/.../19482406.aspx    

(Also, one person seemed to get in by pressing the right shift key WHILE restarting the laptop.  Someone else mentioned ctrl+alt+del worked for them, but it did not for me...)

From pg 7:

"Today, i discovered that my dell enters into BIOS only if battery is on critical levels (<10%) without ac adapter plugged in.

I had low battery and i started my notebook, i pressed F2 and it made two beep (i assume it's due to low battery) and i was in BIOS.

It's pretty useless since i can't add a boot option (i can only insert Boot name and when i press enter it closes...).

I restarted and tried F12 option and appears: Battery remaining capacity is 3% or lower.

"Warning! Battery critically low".

Strike F1 key to continue, F2 to run setup

_

If i press F1 it boots windows, F2 enters bios. "

Going to start trying to fix mine now.  Hope you find a way.  I did notice something in the user's manual about removing a 'cell' from the laptop setting the bios back to default.  Maybe give that a careful read.  GL

soulsister