WIndows 10 MinisForum PC Stuck In BIOS Loop

Jeddy90

Jeddy90

New Member
Hello,

I am currently experiencing an issue with my mini PC (MinisForum U500-H). When I boot up the PC, it will display the MinisForum splash screen like normal and then automatically enter BIOS. I have tried "defaulting" the BIOS settings and multiple other settings in the BIOS but as soon as I save and exit, it will boot right back into BIOS. This issue started right after system update. I have been troubleshooting this issue on and off now for about two months.

  • I have tried setting the "boot option 1" to "enabled" but then it restarts and goes right back into BIOS and boot option 1 is back to "disabled"
  • I tried reinstalling Windows 10 but seems as though the C: drive is "missing". Its not in the list of available places to download the image.
  • I tired multiple different CMD options to remap the C: that other forums have suggested and none of them worked. (C: is accessible while in CMD)
  • Removed all removable media
  • Checked all hardware to make sure it is not damaged
Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Currently using Windows 10 OS on this PC.
 
Update:

I now am able to try and reimage with USB flash drive. Now I have another issue. When W10 is installing, and gets to the part where it restarts, it boots back to the initial Windows setup screen.
 
Remove the flash drive after the first install. Or boot to the bios and set first boot device back to hdd/ssd.
 
It still isn't clear whether the C drive is working or not. Download Hirens boot PE from here
Hiren's BootCD PE
and make a Bootable USB using the USB booting instructions
Boot off the USB which runs a windows 10 live environment. You should then be able to see if the main drive is present and working normally using the hard drive tools in Hirens
 
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I would run the manufacturers disk diagnostic on the hard drive to make sure its in good shape, it might have errors on it or has failed on you.
 
DavidG said:
It still isn't clear whether the C drive is working or not. Download Hirens boot PE from here
Hiren's BootCD PE
and make a Bootable USB using the USB booting instructions
Boot off the USB which runs a windows 10 live environment. You should then be able to see if the main drive is present and working normally using the hard drive tools in Hirens
Click to expand...
Here is what came up when I booted with Hiren's BootCD PE:Capture.PNG
 
Hirens PE should boot straight into this desktop

1607014250077.png


How did you get to the recovery screen? it shouldn’t boot straight into the recovery screen that you have, it looks as though the iso/DVD has become corrupted. I find the PE version much easier to use but by all means try the older version. I would still recommend making a bootable USB.
 
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DavidG said:
Hirens PE should boot straight into this desktop

View attachment 10045


How did you get to the stop error
Click to expand...
I boot up the PC and after the branded splash screen, the stop error pops up, stays for about 60 sec and then PC shuts down.

I have the whole zip file on the USB drive, do I need to only grab a file from it or should it work like I have it?

The error now looks like this after using zip instead of ISO:
Capture.PNG
 
No it doesn’t work like that. On a working computer download the iso onto the hard drive (not the flash drive)
then use this instructions on this page to make a bootable USB from the iso
you need to download the ISO2USB.exe utility from that page and run it to copy the iso files and make it bootable. I can’t give you a direct link because computerforum rules probably wouldn’t allow direct download of an executable.
 
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No problem, once you have booted into your stricken machine use the hard disk testing tools on hirens to verify the hard drive is working or not. Note the instruction are meant for hirens PE not the older version
 
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DavidG said:
No problem, once you have booted into your stricken machine in use the hard disk testing tools on hirens to verify the hard drive is working or not. Note the instruction are meant for hirens PE not the older version
Click to expand...
Any idea why im getting an error while copying the ISO to the USB?
image_2020-12-03_123130.png
 
You need to select a USB device in the drop down box. You have to insert a (blank) USB flash drive first. Only USB flash drives will be listed in the USB Device list. If you can’t see your USB flash drive in the list, firstly try formatting your USB flash drive with Windows Format tool (Goto My Computer -> Right Click USB Drive -> Click ‘Format’… -> Click ‘Restore device defaults’ -> Keep ‘Quick Format’ Checked -> Click ‘Start’) and then click the refresh button on the right side of USB Device list.
CA058E7F-B3C0-4695-9976-D77E1CE0009A.jpeg
 
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DavidG said:
You need to select a USB device in the drop down box. You have to insert a (blank) USB flash drive first. Only USB flash drives will be listed in the USB Device list. If you can’t see your USB flash drive in the list, firstly try formatting your USB flash drive with Windows Format tool (Goto My Computer -> Right Click USB Drive -> Click ‘Format’… -> Click ‘Restore device defaults’ -> Keep ‘Quick Format’ Checked -> Click ‘Start’) and then click the refresh button on the right side of USB Device list.
View attachment 10048
Click to expand...
So I was using a flash drive, just had to uncheck the format option to make it work for some reason.

Got the USB loaded with Hirens but now it is back to my original issue where it will just boot straight into bios.
 
Initially test hirens on a working computer to make sure the USB is working as it should. you may need to change the boot order in the BIOS temporarily. Once you are satisfied that the USB is working, try again on your machine ensuring it is set to boot off the USB. There is usually a boot override key you have to press F11 or F12 after powering up.
 
DavidG said:
Initially test hirens on a working computer to make sure the USB is working as it should. you may need to change the boot order in the BIOS temporarily. Once you are satisfied that the USB is working, try again on your machine ensuring it is set to boot off the USB. There is usually a boot override key you have to press F11 or F12 after powering up.
Click to expand...
Ok, it boots into Hiren's fine on my other PC.
 
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