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I was messing around with BIOS, and I ended up accidently removing all options from the BIOS boot priority list including USB/CD option.

After a reboot it asked me which boot option I would like to use to boot up the laptop but it didn't give me any options whatsoever. When I went back into BIOS I saw that USB/CD option is still there, yet I'm unable to see any USB burners I plugged into any of the USB ports on the laptop.

My laptop is a Fujitsu Lifebook A series (AH531) with BIOS version 1.27. I have access to the boot options list on boot as well as BIOS. I tried resetting BIOS settings to default but it didn't fix the problem.

There is already a similar question on here but it hasn't been answered in 2 years.

EDIT: images.

First two are what i see when i turn the laptop (without pressing any buttons) enter image description here

enter image description here

Then what the BIOS actually looks like:

enter image description here

Edit 2: I've already tried resetting CMOS through taking out the battery. I was successful in resetting it, nonetheless the problem still remains.

Edit 3: Advanced tab BIOS enter image description here

Monogeon
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3 Answers3

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All BIOS boot options were deleted and the BIOS shows no trace of them and no interface for adding them back in. Resetting the BIOS to default values is the only operation left to you, but that also didn't help.

As the USB boot option is still there, another axis for attack would have been to create a USB boot update for the BIOS (link). However, even this avenue is impossible, since Fujitsu Support does not furnish a naked BIOS version, but only an update program that needs to be run in Windows.

You might be able to create a Windows To Go USB, which is basically a portable Windows version, and use in it the Fujitsu BIOS update program. Some tools for that are Hasleo WinToUSB or EaseUS OS2Go.

If the above doesn't help in solving the problem, only Fujitsu Support or a qualified repairman could fix this problem. But as the Fujitsu Lifebook A series (AH531) dates from 2011, the chances for you to have it done are very low, and even if possible the price would be too high for such an old computer.

I apologize for my negative opinion, but if none of my above suggestions can solve the problem, then I don't think that fixing the problem is within your means, and then the price of getting it fixed by a professional (if at all possible) is really better spent on a new computer.

harrymc
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Try resetting the BIOS Settings by removing the CMOS battery for 60 seconds and then re-installing it. This should return any BIOS settings changes back to normal:

enter image description here

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp6S1-7YzHg

Mastaxx
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The BIOS in your picture looks like the one from Insyde that I have on my computer.

I lost all boot options when I upgraded my computer BIOS. Back then, I managed to restore the boot option that I needed by enabling secure boot and selecting a file as trusted.

Here is how I did it for a Debian installation:

Updating the BIOS resets it to defaults. It seems that, as a side effect, it forgets what file to trust as a boot option on the existing installation. To direct it to the correct file to boot, you will need to choose "Select an UEFI file as trusted", navigate to EFI > debian > shimx64.efi, choose any name for it, and confirm. This option is greyed out until you set up password. You can clear the password after saving the option.

There should be a differently named file for your Windows installation if there is still one on the disk.

This is a workaround. There should be another more "advanced" factory mode that allows modifying more boot options, but it is typically hidden and not supposed to be used by an end user.

I don't know what's wrong with the USB not being detected, considering that you already have the legathy USB mode enabled, but it did happen to me in the past too if it is of any comfort.

Roman Riabenko
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