I just built a new desktop for AI development, and it's packed with some powerful specs: Intel i9-12900K processor, MSI RTX 5070 graphics card, and 64GB DDR5 RAM. It came with Windows 11 installed, but I want to switch it to Pop!_OS 22.04 LTS because it's better for my work. The issue I'm facing is that I can't access the BIOS to change the boot order for my Pop!_OS installation USB. I've tried hitting keys like DEL, F12, and F8 non-stop, and even attempting a Q-Flash Plus update through a USB drive, but nothing seems to work. My screen remains black, and Windows 11 just loads without showing any BIOS text. The only option I haven't tried yet is clearing the CMOS settings, but I'm hesitant since I'm not very experienced with hardware. Can anyone offer some advice on how to resolve this?
2 Answers
It sounds like you might be running into a common issue with Ultra Fast Boot and DisplayPort connections. Here’s a few steps to try: First, try accessing the BIOS directly from Windows. Go to Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings to boot into BIOS. If you still have a black screen, swap your cable to HDMI or connect it to the motherboard's HDMI port instead, as some setups can miss the POST screen with DisplayPort. Make sure to do a cold boot by disabling Fast Startup in Windows, shutting down fully, then powering on while rapidly pressing DEL or F12 with a wired keyboard. If that doesn’t work, you may need to clear the CMOS, and you can do that by unplugging the PSU, removing the battery, and shorting the CLR_CMOS pins for 10-20 seconds before rebooting. If it’s still not working, unplugging all drives can help you get to the BIOS without interference from them. Also, be prepared to disable Secure Boot for installing Pop!_OS. Good luck!
Are you pressing the Delete key as soon as you turn on the computer? You have to hit it right away, otherwise, it might not register. Sometimes people wait too long, and the BIOS screen gets skipped. Give it another shot by trying to press it continuously right after you power it on. If you’re still facing issues, maybe double-check the motherboard manual for specific key instructions or troubleshooting steps.
I’ve been mashing the Delete key right after turning it on, but still no luck—it just stays black.
That’s really helpful! Just to add, if you're stuck after all that, make sure your monitor is connected properly; sometimes the input source isn’t set, and it can cause a black screen.