Arch Linux

skyer

Member

Registered: 2012-06-25

Posts: 56

Can't access BIOS after restart

I have to shutdown my computer to get into BIOS.

If restart the computer (using system restart), standard 'splash' screen is shown, but after pressing DEL button, I only see black screen.

This also applies to 'boot menu', which ends in black screen too. (The problem really becomes annoying if I need to play around BIOS or boot from other harddrive).

It could be related to GPUs, I have a intel haswell cpu (i5-4440) and nvidia gtx660. It happens if monitor is plugged into either of them (intel gpu being accessible from the motherboard).

Specs:

MB: msi z87-g45 - has Click BIOS 4
CPU: Intel i5-4440
(d)GPU: nvidia gtx660

Thanks for any help.

Last edited by skyer (2014-01-26 10:22:54)

henk

Member

From: Weert, Netherlands

Registered: 2013-01-01

Posts: 334

Re: Can't access BIOS after restart

Do you have a "fast startup" option in the BIOS, or something equivalent, and is it enabled?

skyer

Member

Registered: 2012-06-25

Posts: 56

Re: Can't access BIOS after restart

GO2BIOS - disabled
Intel Rapid Start - disabled
Intel Smart Connect - disabled
Windows 8 features - disabled (no idea what it is)
MSI FastBoot - disabled
Fast Boot - disabled

Also, I found out that if I reboot from BIOS directly, I can access it during the next boot.

To clarify on what's going on: The 'BIOS splash screen' is always displayed. The 'entering SETUP' message is also shown - after that, only black screen.

Last edited by skyer (2014-01-26 13:23:09)

skyer

Member

Registered: 2012-06-25

Posts: 56

Re: Can't access BIOS after restart

Huh.

Removing the GTX660 from the computer physically appears to have solved the problem. (=> no black screen after reboot).

Adding it back reinstated the problem.

Please note that BIOS is set to IDG (and not PEG), and Virtu is disabled entirely.

I've already tried swapping the DVI cable between intel and nvidia graphics while the black screen is displayed, with no results.

Can somebody explain this?

EDIT: If I disable the bios 'splash screen', after rebooting, even standard boot procedure results in black screen instead of grub.

Last edited by skyer (2014-01-26 14:34:00)

WonderWoofy

Member

From: Los Gatos, CA

Registered: 2012-05-19

Posts: 8,414

Re: Can't access BIOS after restart

This just sounds like firmware bugs.  Unfortunately, the firmware is closed source, so debugging the situation is pretty much impossible.  You'll have to ask your vendor.

BTW, this issue has nothing to do with Arch.  I'm not sure why you chose to post here instead of a HW forum.  You probably would have gotten more help at a place like that.  A board for pc gamers would probably be ideal as well.  It is not that you aren't welcome here, it is just that better help would probably be found elsewhere.

Potomac

Member

Registered: 2011-12-25

Posts: 528

Re: Can't access BIOS after restart

you could try to flash your bios with a more recent version, maybe the new version ( if exists ) fixes this bug,

go to msi website to check if a bios update is available,

you can also install the linux-lts kernel in order to see if it's a kernel bug

skyer

Member

Registered: 2012-06-25

Posts: 56

Re: Can't access BIOS after restart

MSI... weird behavior also occurs if I use different cable from gpu to monitor (displayport, dvi) - sometimes, there's no signal on any of them. Removing the Nvidia card solves the problem entirely.

@WonderWoofy: That's why I put it inside 'kernel & hardware'. But you're right, HW dedicated forum perhaps would be better. I'll try my luck there if nothing helps here, I'm just the kind of person who prefers less to have accounts for everything.

@Potomac: I'll flash bios and report back.