Can't access BIOS when OS disk encrypted w/ Bitlocker, startup key on USB drive doesn't unlock disk

Baobob
Baobob Member Posts: 2 New User

Hello,

I enabled Bitlocker on my Acer Aspire 5315. The system partition is encrypted as well as the data partition. My mother board does not have TPM chip so I opted for the unlocking with a USB drive.

When I start the PC or wake up from hibernation, the BIOS splashboot screen (with Acer logo) now does not show the information at the bottom about how to access the BIOS (press F2) or the boot menu (F12). And consequently I cannot access those like I used to.

Then Bitlocker ignores the USB drive and asks the password to unlock the HDD. Then Windows boots just fine.

However, upon reboot (either from Windows or after having entered the wrong Bitlocker password too many times), the BIOS boot screen is normal (with the how to access BIOS and boot menu), I can access BIOS by pressing F2, AND Bitlocker succesfully unlocks the HDD with the USB flash drive without asking for the password.

So, my question is how to make Bitlocker unlock the HDD automatically with the USB drive when the PC boots?

Thank you for reading.

 

Note: I posted this question on http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w8itprosecurity/threads they suggested that I ask to Acer support.

Best Answer

  • Tommy-Acer
    Tommy-Acer VIP Posts: 6,317 Seasoned Specialist WiFi Icon
    Answer ✓

    Thank you for also seeking answers from the TechNet forums.  I'm sorry that you were unable to get a more complete answer there.

     

    We would suggest that you uninstall BitLocker and decrypt the drive to determine if that restores your ability to enter the BIOS.

     

Answers

  • Tommy-Acer
    Tommy-Acer VIP Posts: 6,317 Seasoned Specialist WiFi Icon
    Answer ✓

    Thank you for also seeking answers from the TechNet forums.  I'm sorry that you were unable to get a more complete answer there.

     

    We would suggest that you uninstall BitLocker and decrypt the drive to determine if that restores your ability to enter the BIOS.

     

This discussion has been closed.