Boot from usb - old BIOS

[halr50]

Need to boot from USB but BIOS doesn't have the USB option. F10 / Esc will not get me into USB boot option. I have the blue screen of death.

[Raj_05]

Hi @halr50,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

If your HP laptop's BIOS doesn't have the USB boot option and you're experiencing the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), here are steps you can follow to try and resolve the issue.

Check USB Drive Preparation

• Ensure that the USB drive is bootable and properly formatted. You can use tools like Rufus or Windows Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB drive with a Windows installation or recovery media.
• Make sure the USB drive is connected to a USB 2.0 port if available, as some older BIOS versions may not support USB 3.0 ports.

Enter BIOS Setup

• Restart your laptop.
• As soon as it powers on, press Esc repeatedly (or F10, depending on your model) to access the startup menu.
• From the startup menu, press F10 to enter the BIOS setup.

Check Boot Order

• In the BIOS menu, navigate to the Boot tab using the arrow keys.
• Look for the Boot Order or Boot Options setting.
• If USB options are not listed, try the following:
  • Enable Legacy USB Support: This option is often found under Advanced or Integrated Peripherals. If available, enable it.
  • Add a Boot Option: Some BIOS setups allow you to add a boot option manually. If this is an option, try to add your USB device.

Try Different Key Combinations

• If Esc and F10 do not work, try other keys like F2, F12, or Del to access the BIOS setup or boot menu.

Use a Different USB Drive

• If your USB drive still doesn’t show up, consider using a different USB drive to rule out the possibility of a faulty USB.

Reset BIOS to Default

• If you have made changes to the BIOS, consider resetting it to default settings:
  • In the BIOS menu, look for an option to Load Setup Defaults (often found under the Exit tab).
  • Save the changes and exit.

[Raj_05]

Check for Hardware Issues

• If you're still encountering the BSOD, it may be related to hardware issues such as failing RAM or a hard drive. Running hardware diagnostics can help identify these problems:
  • Many HP laptops come with built-in diagnostics. Restart and press Esc, then choose F2 for diagnostics.

Accessing Recovery Options

• If you can get into Windows Recovery Environment using the USB, follow these steps:
  • Boot from the USB drive.
  • Select Repair your computer instead of installing Windows.
  • Navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options for recovery options like Startup Repair or System Restore.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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Alden4

HP Support