Black screen on boot

[Pierluigi-DC]

Hi there,
I received an HP EliteDesk 800 G3 with Windows 11 preinstalled.
Since I wanted to install a Linux distro in dual boot mode, I tried to access the BIOS to deactivate the Secure Boot and proceed with the linux installation. I tried various ways to access the BIOS, but to no one succeeded.

In particular, I tried:

- turning on the PC and pressing F2/F9/F10/ESC/DEL during boot
- pressing SHIFT + clicking "restart"
- clicking Settings/Recovery/Advanced Startup/Restart

In all these cases, the result was always the same: the PC seemed to start, but nothing actually appeared on the monitor, the screen simply remained black. You could hear the fan running (slowly), but then nothing happened.

After restarting the PC, finally I ran "msconfig" and selected "Safe Boot - Minimal" from the "Boot Tab."

Then I restarted the PC.

Again I got the same result (black screen with the PC appearing to be doing something) with the difference that now restarting the PC lead to the same state: the screen remain black and nothing starts. Apparently there is no way to come back to the previous situation, with at least Windows working..

Since the PC worked fine at first, I think the problem must be software-related.

Is there a way to somehow force a BIOS reset?
Could format the Hard Drive be a solution to get back the control of the machine again?

[TheOldMan]

I suspect it is because the Secure Boot has been disabled.  There are Linux distro's that can be installed while Secure Boot is active.

Re-enabling Secure Boot should allow Windows 11 to work again, also.

See here for a guide to accomplish the outcome that is desired.

https://linuxvox.com/blog/uefi-secure-boot-live-linux-usb/

[Pierluigi-DC]

Thank you very much for your rapid answer.
Actually the problem is that I've no way to enable the Secure Boot again..

I tried with a Live USB with a Linux Distro inside but I didn't find a way to reach the Boot menu.. the result was always the same, the black screen with the PC running..

[TheOldMan]

While I understand the situation better now, I am not certain on how to proceed.  In order to get into the BIOS without seeing anything, here is what I tell users for other errors that prevent startup screens.

Start tapping the Esc key BEFORE starting the PC and then press the start button.
Keep tapping the Esc key until a popup menu shows. Then pick F10 from that popup menu

You may have to tab to the various tabs to find what you need, or try reset to defaults, then save and exit.

[Pierluigi-DC]

Thank you very much again.
I tried but nothing changed..

I noticed that after some time I continue tapping ESC, the motherboard start Beeping at every new press.
I took this as a good sign, but still I didn't find a way to access the BIOS...

[TheOldMan]

I suspect the beeping after a while, when pressing ESC is a sign that it actually has entered the pop-up menu and you just cannot see it.

I noticed, in the specs, that the PC might have a graphics card installed.  It that correct?

If YES, then something has somehow interfered with the graphics card working.  I went back to re-read the first post.  In there, it does not actually mention if the PC worked as it should before you attempted the process of disabling Secure Boot.  Also, no mention of opening the case at any time.  Just curious, but how is the monitor connected?  What connection port is being used - Display port, VGA.  I do not see a HDMI output, unless it has the adapter added.

Just trying to find out what might be going on here.