Cant navigate UEFI menu.. I accidently disabled USB!

andreew

New Member
Messages
5
Hi guys,

I own a no-brand Windows tablet that has only a single USB port, which I connect a keyboard that has an inbuilt USB hub where i put the USB with the image.
I am running Windows 8.1 x64. Not sure on mobo type, but it has an 'American Megatrends' startup screen.

Whilst attempting to reformat the tablet and boot from USB, I accidentally changed the USB type to USB-FDD, which means that the port won't receive power until Windows loads.
I am able to access the UEFI menu, however I can't figure out how to navigate it.
Touch screen or any other buttons dont seem to do anything.

An idea I had was to reset/update/flash the UEFI from inside windows. However im not sure the best way to go about this.
I don't know how to, nor do I want to crack open the case to try reset the CMOS.

I have noticed that there is a small hole next to the power button, not sure if that may be a reset pin hole.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.0 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satelite C55D-A Laptop
    CPU
    AMD EI 1200
    Memory
    4 gb DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Raedon 340 MB dedicated Ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built in
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    640 GB (spinner) Sata II
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Touch pad
I have full access to Windows, the USB works fine once in Windows.
Tried a warm boot directly into UEFI settings, no USB power :(

I had the idea of either modifying BIOS settings from inside Windows,
or flashing/updating the BIOS. However I am not sure on details of mobo or what firmware to flash with...

I am usually pretty good when it comes to this sort of stuff, but this has me stumped.
Tablet came with no manual, to my knowledge it is an OEM requirement that firmware can be reset with a button combination, so Ill have to email the supplier.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
That's a tough one. It may be your only option if there are no other ports on the thing.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.0 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satelite C55D-A Laptop
    CPU
    AMD EI 1200
    Memory
    4 gb DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Raedon 340 MB dedicated Ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built in
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    640 GB (spinner) Sata II
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Touch pad
Whats the best way to find what bios firmware i need?

Or I have another identical tablet, is there a way to dump the bios from the tablet with no problem, and then load it over on the other one?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
How about a Name and model for that no name tablet..
I search for no name brand and found nothing.. joking..
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
How about a Name and model for that no name tablet..
I search for no name brand and found nothing.. joking..

haha i like that one.
I used CPUZ to get some info:

Intel(R) Atom(TM) CPU Z3735D @ 1.33GHz
Socket 1380 BGA (0x1)
Aptio CRB (0x000002F4 - 0x03E795B0)

Running AMI UEFI BIOS version 5.008
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
If you cannot navigate in settings your best bet may be to open it and pull the battery. After about 1/2 hour the CMOS should reset to default. Even without technical experience a battery should be easy to recognize. It should look like a watch battery or a larger disk maybe the size of a quarter.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.0 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satelite C55D-A Laptop
    CPU
    AMD EI 1200
    Memory
    4 gb DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Raedon 340 MB dedicated Ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built in
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    640 GB (spinner) Sata II
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Touch pad
to my knowledge the motherboards on tablets dont have a battery on them :(

So are the settings kept in static ram or does the CMOS feed off the main battery?
This Laptop is the only PC other than desktops I have ever used. My experience is limited.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.0 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satelite C55D-A Laptop
    CPU
    AMD EI 1200
    Memory
    4 gb DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Raedon 340 MB dedicated Ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built in
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    640 GB (spinner) Sata II
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Touch pad
Configuration settings for UEFI are stored on EEPROM (aka NVRAM: non-volatile random access memory) This includes desktops as well

Most tablets provide no means to physically clear "CMOS" either.


If you would like, you can try to dump the contents of the BIOS ROM with this tool.
(Windows Defender will flag this tool, exclude it)

BIOS Backup


Modifying settings in a BIOS dump is very involving, and should only be performed by someone who is extremely knowledgeable with the firmware they intend to edit. Improperly changing one byte and flashing will result in a device that will not work.



Since you can already boot into windows, you can easily install windows from there.

There are a bunch of ways to accomplish it. I can write a quick guide of the [DEL]easiest[/DEL] most thorough way for you if you want.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Kernel 4.x
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i5 3570K
    Motherboard
    P8Z77-V LK
    Memory
    G.skill Ripjaw Z 2133MHz 9-11-10-28
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX770 4GB Dual BIOS
    Sound Card
    Audigy 4 Pro
    Monitor(s) Displays
    32" SAMSUNG HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 progressive
    Hard Drives
    10TB total
    3 RAID arrays
    3 single disks
    PSU
    Corsair HX750
    Case
    Corsair R400
    Cooling
    Corsair H100
    Keyboard
    Logitech G510
    Mouse
    Logitech G5
    Internet Speed
    ~900mbps (~115MB/s) down, ~10mbps(~1.5MB/s) up
    Browser
    Firefox & Chromium
    Antivirus
    Common Sense
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