What happens when you delete the EFI partition?

MaDWoLF

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Since my first boot up on my new laptop here, Lenovo g580, it seems as though I've been permanently locked out of the BIOS. I got in just the first time. After trying just about every suggestion on the internet to get back in, I'm wondering if I delete the EFI partition, and reboot, if that will let me in the BIOS before it has a chance to re-create. Which leads me to my 2nd question, does it automatically recreate the EFI partition in the case of deletion?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G580 20157
    CPU
    i3-3110M
    Memory
    4gb ddr3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    intel HD 4000
Welcome to EightForums.

Go to
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/4935-startup-options-menu-boot-windows-8-a.html

Windows 8 Downgrade-009 SB.PNG
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
Thanks, but unfortunately that option, along with choosing "BIOS Setup" off my "lenovo" button start menu doesn't work either, or any bootup hotkeys. All of these things lead to a normal startup every time. The only thing I can get to, is the startup options screen to enable safe mode etc. from the SHIFT+RESTART. I can also get to the recovery environment from the "Lenovo button" startup menu. But that's it though, everything else I try just proceeds smoothly to a normal start up.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G580 20157
    CPU
    i3-3110M
    Memory
    4gb ddr3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    intel HD 4000
When I use Shift-restart I CAN reboot into the advanced startup options. The menu with safe mode, disable early malware etc. But that's it. When I'm doing the same procedure as the guy in the Toshiba video, it will just go to a normal boot up instead of putting me in the BIOS when I choose to change UEFI settings.

Am I more locked out then I should be here? it would be difficult to believe this is hardware. seems like something is just denying me. Can anyone else out there with a new Lenovo with win8 preinstalled, get into there BIOS?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G580 20157
    CPU
    i3-3110M
    Memory
    4gb ddr3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    intel HD 4000
Looks like the option has be disabled.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
Yeah, it seems that way. Brings me back to my original question, does anything unexpected or bad happen when you delete the win8 EFI partition? or does it just rebuild on the next boot? And would this possibly yield me one time access to my BIOS again?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G580 20157
    CPU
    i3-3110M
    Memory
    4gb ddr3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    intel HD 4000
Yeah, it seems that way. Brings me back to my original question, does anything unexpected or bad happen when you delete the win8 EFI partition? or does it just rebuild on the next boot? And would this possibly yield me one time access to my BIOS again?

Windows 8 will not boot.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
Ha, I've had my finger on the trigger this whole time. Guess its good I didn't delete it.. If I did though, what then? will a full recovery get it back to normal? I'm trying to figure out how deep I have to go to get back into that BIOS. Nothing is wrong, but since I got into the BIOS that very first bootup, it is going to drive me nuts until I figure out what it takes to get back in there again. Thanks for your help though guys. Just to get something straight though, does anyone with other brand laptops that have the UEFI and win8 preinstall able to get into there BIOS normally, or no?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G580 20157
    CPU
    i3-3110M
    Memory
    4gb ddr3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    intel HD 4000
Try using the one time boot menu, key.

Windows 8 Downgrade-005 SB.PNG

Windows 8 Downgrade-006 SB.PNG

Than use ENTER SETUP
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
Some OEMs put what is called a Fast Boot option in the bios. I don't know about Lenovo, but you might try shutting the system all the way down and try when it reboots from a cold boot. In my case (ASUS) powering off the unit will reset the fast boot for one boot. I do not know if this actually means completely powering down, like removing the battery, or just shutting down.

It seems each OEM has the authority to set up their systems the way they want, so probably not that much of a common process between different OEMS.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Grown
    CPU
    i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z77 -v Pro, Z87-Expert
    Memory
    16 G
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX 680 Classified (2)
    Hard Drives
    Kingston SSD 240 GB
For Lenovo they are typically F1, F2, F12.. But I have tried every single key on the keyboard during bootup. I even tried taking my hard drive and rtc battery out. lol, nothing, just dead ends me to a black screen on boot... BUT with the HD out, it might be hanging because its looking for an HD. Believe it or not, I worked at a Toshiba/Lenovo laptop ASP for 11 years, but quit 4 years ago, so I'm not up on the latest stuff, but I know most of the basics.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G580 20157
    CPU
    i3-3110M
    Memory
    4gb ddr3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    intel HD 4000
See if there is any notes in the manual, that may help.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
I'm still tempted to nuke that EFI partition and see what happens, lol. Besides that, the only other thing I guess I can do, is wait till someone else with a new similar Lenovo laptop sees this and tells me if they can get into their BIOS. If I'm the only Lenovo that's locked out like this, I might have to break down and blame it on hardware, or a corrupted BIOS. But that's so hard to believe at this point.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G580 20157
    CPU
    i3-3110M
    Memory
    4gb ddr3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    intel HD 4000
Thanks Saltgrass, but tried that oo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G580 20157
    CPU
    i3-3110M
    Memory
    4gb ddr3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    intel HD 4000
Just a couple of more things...

Again, probably system specific, but my system will throw me into the bios screen if I try to boot a Windows 7 DVD. You can try that from the recovery options and boot to a DVD. It should do one of three things, ignore it completely, take some specific action or give you some type of message. It would be interesting to see what your system does.

And the last thing, I read on some site about "Magic" keys that could be used during boot. You might try using the Shift key in combination with some others to see if it helps. I suppose on some laptops you might have to use Fn+F? for the function keys to work.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Grown
    CPU
    i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z77 -v Pro, Z87-Expert
    Memory
    16 G
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX 680 Classified (2)
    Hard Drives
    Kingston SSD 240 GB
Just a couple of more things...

Again, probably system specific, but my system will throw me into the bios screen if I try to boot a Windows 7 DVD. You can try that from the recovery options and boot to a DVD. It should do one of three things, ignore it completely, take some specific action or give you some type of message. It would be interesting to see what your system does.

And the last thing, I read on some site about "Magic" keys that could be used during boot. You might try using the Shift key in combination with some others to see if it helps. I suppose on some laptops you might have to use Fn+F? for the function keys to work.

I wasn't expecting it to deny me a cd boot, BUT, It looks as though its totally ignoring me with bootable cds or dvds too, in the same manor that it does when I'm trying to access the BIOS, boot menu, or the "change uefi restart". It did spin up during post though, at least. I'd like to try some type of USB boot next time, but I have no usb drives handy at the moment.

The manual sais F2 for BIOS, or "novo" button from off state, then select BIOS from their menu. I've always gotten the little Lenovo button menu, but only "recovery options" choice works off of it.

Keep the suggestions rollin! We got to hit it sooner or later! lol
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G580 20157
    CPU
    i3-3110M
    Memory
    4gb ddr3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    intel HD 4000
A PC with uEFI BIOS & Secure Boot, will only boot a DVD/CD that is signed by Microsoft for use wth Secure boot.
Try a Windows 8 x64 DVD or Windows 8 Startup Repair CD, the repair disk must be made on a PC with uEFI BIOS & Secure Boot.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
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