BIOS Boot Order has been completely ignored

Polarixis

New Member
Messages
5
Hi everyone,

Before I start, please tell me if this is in the wrong category. Virtualization seemed like the most applicable

Anyway,

I am on a laptop running Windows 8.1 x64. I have an external Hard Drive, with 3 partitions. ONE of them, assigned as X:, contains Windows 7 Ultimate x64. Using the Advanced System Settings built into Windows 8.1, I tried using the 'Use a device' option, and it came up with three options under the name of my hard drive. I assume these were the three partitions, but hey all had the same name. I cannot tell the difference between them. I tried selecting all of them to boot, and the computer still booted to Windows 8.1. I tried editing the boot order in the bios, trying the three partitions as the first option, and it still didn't boot to my copy of Windows 7.:cry:

Is there something that I'm doing wrong, or does Windows 8.1 simply not allow external USB booting?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    Memory
    4GB
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    120GB x2
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
If the external HD is MBR then I think you have to turn off EUFI. Also secure booting. Afaik if EUFI is enabled then only GPT Windows partitions can boot(or OS that can handle EUFI such as some Linux distros.)

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/17058-secure-boot-enable-disable-uefi.html
I believe in the EUFI options you must have Legacy or Legacy + EUFI selected or MBR type drives just will not boot.
For my backup image software I had to set up a USB to boot using EUFI(well, Macrium did it for me.) In that case all I have to do is select the USB in the boot order.

Edit: I think this issue would come under Installation and Setup. Virtualization is about running virtual machines or guest OS etc..
 
Last edited:

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
If the external HD is MBR then I think you have to turn off EUFI. Also secure booting. Afaik if EUFI is enabled then only GPT Windows partitions can boot(or OS that can handle EUFI such as some Linux distros.)

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/17058-secure-boot-enable-disable-uefi.html
I believe in the EUFI options you must have Legacy or Legacy + EUFI selected or MBR type drives just will not boot.
For my backup image software I had to set up a USB to boot using EUFI(well, Macrium did it for me.) In that case all I have to do is select the USB in the boot order.

Edit: I think this issue would come under Installation and Setup. Virtualization is about running virtual machines or guest OS etc..

Hi there.

OH dear there's a lot of MIS info about UEFI.

UEFI in NO form or shape requires that a UEFI OS is used for boot -- you should - especially on a laptop get a choice in the boot up menu -- usually by pressing the ESC key or similar --you often don't need to get into the full BIOS.

What though is MANDATORY is to DISABLE PROTECTED (or SECURE) BOOT (and if there is also a checkbox for enabling legacy boot check that too).

UEFI IS NOT SECURE BOOT (although you will need a UEFI system in order to USE secure boot).

Nothing in the UEFI spec stops a normal MBR disc from booting. Many Linux live CD's for example boot totally from an external USB stick - and these can be either UEFI, standard or Hybrid where you'll see in the boot menu TWO choices for the same device one marked / labelled UEFI and the other not.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
Hello,

Performance & Maintenance or General Support seem to also be good sections for this. Although you could encounter the same thing using virtualization, so IMHO it's good to go here. :)

To the point,
I believe the USB isn't allowed to boot by the secure boot option. Your BIOS most probably has a 'legacy mode' that is disabled by default.
Enable 'legacy mode' which will usually disable secure boot and then try to reboot again and use a boot to the 'device selection screen' (each manufacturer has its own shortcut ket to this, F2 - F12 , etc...).

We are not talking about UEFI: with UEFI standard enabled you can boot legacy/MBR USBs and disks besides UEFI/GPT USBs and disks.

Good luck
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
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