HP Pavilion x2 cannot boot as legacy UEFI?

[anic297]

Hi,

I have a HP Pavilion x2 on which I want to run various utilities (needing to boot from CD or USB drives). I went to the BIOS and could deactivate Secure Boot, but there's no option to change UEFI legacy mode. Therefore, I can't boot from anything except the built-in hard disk.

I tried updating the BIOS. It worked but still no option to change EFI legacy. I've never seen such a poor BIOS in my life; disappointing.

Is there a hidden secret? A way to boot this nonsense pavilion off other devices?

[Raj1788]

@anic297

Welcome to HP Forums, 

This is a great place to get support, find answers and tips to your technical queries.

To provide you with an accurate solution, I'll need a few more details:

Are you try to install windows 7

However, you can try restoring the BIOS to default and check if it helps.

1. Turn off the computer and wait five seconds.

2. Press the Power button to start the computer and repeatedly press the F10 key to enter the BIOS setup menu.

3. On the BIOS Setup screen, press F9 to select and load the BIOS Setup Default settings.

4. Press F10 to Save and Exit.

5. Use the arrow keys to select Yes, then press Enter when asked Exit Saving Changes?

6. Follow the prompts to restart your computer.

After restoring the BIOS to default try desabling the secure boot and try enabling the legacy boot 

Click on this link: https://support.hp.com/in-en/document/c04784866 Refer FAQ in this document.

Keep me posted, how it goes!

If the information I've provided was helpful, give us some reinforcement by clicking the Accepted Solution and Kudos buttons, that'll help us and others see that we've got the answers!

Have a great day!

Cheers:)

[anic297]

---

@Raj1788 wrote:

@anic297

Welcome to HP Forums, 

This is a great place to get support, find answers and tips to your technical queries. 

---

Thank you.

---

@Raj1788 wrote:

@anic297

To provide you with an accurate solution, I'll need a few more details:

Are you try to install windows 7 

---

No, but the utility I'm trying to use (Renee PassNow) is on a Windows 7 OS (a minimal version). However, other utilities having their own OS don't boot either.

---

@Raj1788 wrote:

@anic297

However, you can try restoring the BIOS to default and check if it helps.

After restoring the BIOS to default try desabling the secure boot and try enabling the legacy boot  

---

So I did your suggestion. After resetting the BIOS, the Secure Boot option was still disabled (and, since then, it's greyed out: I can't change it). The Legacy UEFI option is still not there and the computer won't boot other OS than the built-in one.

I'm convinced this BIOS is made explicitly for not letting one start a legacy UEFI utility; as someone who work for HP, you certainly knows this exists, right?

Thank you for your help so far.

[Flower_Bud]

@anic297

It looks like you were interacting with @Raj1788, but he is out for the day & I'll be glad to help you out,

I'm the Flower_Bud & I'm at your service.

This notebook was shipped with Windows 10 and have not been tested with Windows 7 or Windows 8.

NOTE: HP does not recommend upgrading or downgrading hardware parts or software that is bundled with the product as It may affect the manufacturer's warranty and performance, however, you could change the configuration at your own discretion.

It may or may not work. 

Thanks for your time and efforts 🙂

Cheers!

[otterwechel]

I have the same issue with win10 - legacy mode can't be enabled. [HP Pavilion 11-H000 x2 PC]  It is simply not there in the Bios. Without that I can't reinstall Win10 from any USB media.  Any advise ? Some blogs talk about hidden keys - but things like Win+B+power-on or Win+V+power-on have no effect on my machine at all. Several other forums report similar issues - but nowhere is a solution posted. 

[A4Apollo]

Hi! @otterwechel, Thank you for visiting the HP Forums! A great place where you can find solutions for your issues with help from the community!

I understand you have issues changing boot options to legacy in BIOS on your PC.

Don't worry I'll try to help you out.

Did you make any software or hardware changes on your PC?

Have you tried checking with a different adapter?

What is the operating system you are trying to install on your PC?

Have you tried installing the operating system using the recovery discs?

Excellent description and a great diagnosis done. It is greatly appreciated.

Please share the product number of your PC to assist you better.

Try restoring the BIOS to default and check if it helps.

1.    Turn off the computer and wait five seconds.
2.    Press the Power button to start the computer and repeatedly press the F10 key to enter the BIOS setup menu.
3.    On the BIOS Setup screen, press F9 to select and load the BIOS Setup Default settings.
4.    Press F10 to Save and Exit.
5.    Use the arrow keys to select Yes, then press Enter when asked Exit Saving Changes?
6.    Follow the prompts to restart your computer.

Try disabling the secure boot and enable legacy boot in BIOS and try installing the software again.

To enable or disable Secure Boot on an HP notebook computer, first confirm if Legacy Support is available and enabled.

1. Turn off the computer.

2. Press the power button to turn on the computer, and then immediately press the Esc key repeatedly until the Startup Menu opens.

   

3. Press F10 to open BIOS Setup.

4. Use the right arrow key to select System Configuration, use the down arrow key to select Boot Options, and then press Enter.

   

5. Check for Legacy Support in the list.

   

   • If Legacy Support is not listed, continue to the next step.

   • If Legacy Support is listed and you are enabling Secure Boot, use the down arrow to select Legacy Support, press Enter, select Disabled, press Enter, and then continue to the next step.

Refer this article to know more information about using secure boot. Click Here

Hope to hear from you soon!

Have a great day! 🙂

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[otterwechel]

Cheers

• What do you mean by "adapter"  Do you mean USB media, like stick/HDD or DVD ? Then yes
• Win10
• Recovery disks would need " Legacy Support " as well
• Product Number V4M89EA#ABD
• Secure boot is switched to off
•  Resetting BIOS does not help - the legacy support option get's not magically created due to this step. Bios is F.11
•  As said, legacy support is simply not in the menue
• Created a UEFE boot Stick (rufus) - did not help
• HP Cloud restore is not availbale for this device
• Any repair tools do (or course) not help, as USB is not active due to the missing Legacy support option 

I read somewhere in a blog that a special HP ISO image is needed to reinstall the Pavillion x2. Is that correct ? 

[Jeet_singh]

@otterwechel,

It looks like you were interacting with @A4Apollo, but he is out for the day & I'll be glad to help you out, 
I'm the Jeet_Singh & I'm at your service. 

After reviewing your post thoroughly, I see that you have exhausted all possible troubleshooting and still having the issue.

I would personally suggest this could be a possible hardware failure. 

I will share you a private message with details. Please watch your inbox for more information.

Let me know if this helps!

Have a great day ahead! 🙂

[otterwechel]

Cheers, why do you think it's a HW failure ? The device did run before without any issues - the only problem is, that the option for Enabling the Legacy Support is not listed in the BIOS -and without having that option enabled, the USB slot would not be "switched to active".

[A4Apollo]

@otterwechel, Thanks for your quick response and time.

I appriciate your efforts for writing back to us.

Excellent description and a great diagnosis done. It is greatly appreciated.

As you mentioned the legacy options is not listed on the BIOS page.

If the legacy boot is not showing, then that option might not be available in the BIOS version you have installed on the computer. 

You should update the BIOS on your PC and check if it helps.

Refer this article to know more information about updating the BIOS. Click Here

Hope this helps!

Take Care! 

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!