Aspire 1 A114-31. How to adjust boot priority for clean install of Win 10.

Pinehunter
Pinehunter Member Posts: 24 Networker
I have the above computer but the access PIN has been lost. The BIOS boot page shows only "Windows Boot Manager" as a boot device. I wish to install Win 10 using a USB boot device. How can this be done? At present the BIOS has been reset using F9 key.

Best Answer

  • Pinehunter
    Pinehunter Member Posts: 24 Networker
    Answer ✓
    Hi JackE. The upset is now sorted and the Aspire 1 A114-31-C8R2 now operates with a clean install of Win 10 Pro.
    The Microsoft web site provided a "WINDOWS 10 Disc Image" as an ISO file which was an easy free download.
    This was loaded to a formatted 16Gb USB 2.0 pen drive.
    The pen drive was inserted in the laptop which was booted to BIOS [using F2].
    The BIOS Boot Tab showed the pen drive as priority 2 under windows boot manager. The pen drive was moved to position 1 using F5/F6 keys.
    At this time the BIOS was set using F9. Exit from the BIOS was made using F10 and the lap top rebooted to load Windows 10 Pro without any problem.
    The BIOS Boot Tab was checked and  showed only "Windows Boot Manager" as before.
    Overall a trouble free operation. 

Answers

  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,868 Trailblazer
    You have two choices.
    (1) You can try a factory reset using the ALT+F10 cold boot method by making sure the D2D option is enabled in the BIOS Main tab.
    (2) Or you can cold boot from the USB installation stick by making sure the F12 USB boot option is enabled in the BIOS main tab which allows you to boot from the USB stick by pressing F12 on startup.

    Jack E/NJ

  • Pinehunter
    Pinehunter Member Posts: 24 Networker
    Hi JackE thanks for the information to enable a system install on my A114-31 laptop. Both methods have been tried and at this time the upset has not been solved. I purchased the laptop with a damaged screen and no password or previous user details. The screen was easily fixed and the machine booted to the "sign in" screen without difficulty.
    When I have attempted to reset the computer each level has been stalled by the lack of previous user password/information. The full factory reset looked promising but this stopped with a message "you need to free up storage space to continue". This was not possible due to password/PIN problems. It looks like I will not get much further trying to reset the laptop.
    The laptop BIOS is InsydeH20 Rev.5 setup utility, and the tab for "MAIN" does not include for USB boot application. The closest I could get was Network Boot which showed in the "Boot" tab but did not provide for booting a USB device loaded with Windows 10 Pro.
    Is there anything else that may be available to restore this laptop which was built around mid 2018.
    Regards
    Pinehunter


  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,868 Trailblazer
    Try to set and save a BIOS supervisor password. Then re-enter the BIOS with the supervisor password to see if more options become available. Press Ctrl+S in each BIOS tab to reveal any hidden options.

    Jack E/NJ

  • Pinehunter
    Pinehunter Member Posts: 24 Networker
    Hi. A supervisor password has been set and needs to be used to access BIOS with key F2. Each tab and each item in BIOS has been tested with key strokes Ctrl+S and no additional information has been shown. 
  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,868 Trailblazer
    Try to disable BIOS secure boot with the password. Then shut the machine down and try tapping the F12 key anyway at startup to try to boot from a bootable USB installation stick.

    Jack E/NJ

  • Pinehunter
    Pinehunter Member Posts: 24 Networker
    Thanks again for your help. I intend to try loading Windows 10 Pro [64 bit] contained on a genuine Microsoft disc. A USB 2.0 optical drive will be used connected a USB 2.0 port. Secure Boot will be disabled and F12 key used during boot up. I will let you know how things go.
  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,868 Trailblazer
    Might be better to create an WinPro iso or img file from the disc and use rufus to make a bootable installation stick. Many users have found that a bootable disc isn't recognized as bootable from an external USB ODD. But the stick boots.

    Jack E/NJ

  • Pinehunter
    Pinehunter Member Posts: 24 Networker
    Thanks for info. Will try disc to begin with, if not suitable I will move to Rufus/stick drive. In passing do you know if it is possible to alter boot mode from UEFI to Legacy for this BIOS? 
  • Pinehunter
    Pinehunter Member Posts: 24 Networker
    Answer ✓
    Hi JackE. The upset is now sorted and the Aspire 1 A114-31-C8R2 now operates with a clean install of Win 10 Pro.
    The Microsoft web site provided a "WINDOWS 10 Disc Image" as an ISO file which was an easy free download.
    This was loaded to a formatted 16Gb USB 2.0 pen drive.
    The pen drive was inserted in the laptop which was booted to BIOS [using F2].
    The BIOS Boot Tab showed the pen drive as priority 2 under windows boot manager. The pen drive was moved to position 1 using F5/F6 keys.
    At this time the BIOS was set using F9. Exit from the BIOS was made using F10 and the lap top rebooted to load Windows 10 Pro without any problem.
    The BIOS Boot Tab was checked and  showed only "Windows Boot Manager" as before.
    Overall a trouble free operation. 
  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,868 Trailblazer
    Congrats on you success. Thanks for reporting back.

    Jack E/NJ