Ubuntu – Can’t access BIOS and installing a windows hard drive

bootdual-bootgrub2uefi

Built new computer:

AMD FX-8320 Eight-Core Processor × 8

9.7 GiB RAM

Graphics GeForce GTX 650 Ti BOOST/PCIe/SSE2

Ubuntu 13.10 64-bit

Desktop Computer

1 TB HardDrive

BIOS Type, UEFI

BIOS loaded first time I started up, configured. Then I ran the ubuntu cd I made. Installed, then all good. Now, I realized I cannot access the BIOS, at all, even when no hard drives are connected. I am pressing the right button, DEL. I have tired all the other keys on my keyboard, I know that is not the problem.

Other problem is that I took a hard drive with windows 7 on it from another computer, and put it in mine (Yes I installed it correctly). Grub does not detect it. I have updated Grub, used boot fixer, and a lot of other stuff. I think the key lies in the BIOS, if I could get to it, I think I could fix it myself

Best Answer

This is a mess : ) ! And lack of information too (especially system configuration, notebook or not, one hard drive or more, live CD Ubuntu or installed one), but I'll try help.

This doesn't look like an Ubuntu problems, since it doesn't affect BIOS. Shouldn't at least.

Furthermore as far as I know currently Ubuntu 13 is a beta version and 12 is a released version. Beta version may be not a good choice while having additional problems.

The Hard Drive and opening BIOS options in UEFI

We are assuming that the hard drive isn't paralyzing the system, but it may be the case. Some system won't even enter BIOS with a broken drive, while (presumably) waiting for its' response. In that case

1) Can You enter BIOS without any hard drive?

2) If not, are You sure that Del key is working and You're fast enough with the pressing? It worked before using Ubuntu, right (sounds weird)?

3) If You're experienced and it won't cancel warranty, reset the BIOS settings manually (disconnect power source and computer's power battery, remove motherboard's battery for 30 sec and put it back in) which by the way commonly speeds the booting up and more. Risky for notebooks since those commonly have hidden batteries. Mean!

That pretty much is all I can think of having provided info and at this point You should have entered BIOS, know what is wrong or have other ideas.

Win7 GRUB detection

What I deducted is that You just took a hard drive with Win7 installed on it from one computer and put it into another. GRUB won't see Win7 until You tell it to, the easiest case is to run sudo update-grub at the terminal, but making sure that GRUB options are set correctly may be needed first. There is a plenty of GRUB help in this website and You're having the best info to find what You need. But even when Win7 will be detected it won't have installed drivers for it's new location - new computer, so it shouldn't work all nice, if at all. Because Windows is not meant to jump around different computers and not prepared to.

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