NF520-A2 TE operating system selection problems

Discussion in 'Biostar' started by Shiftdude22, May 11, 2013.

  1. Shiftdude22

    Shiftdude22

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    Hi Forum:

    One of my 2 PCs has a used NF520-A2 TE M/B which I bought last winter. I then noticed that it had some cold boot issues but always booted OK a few minutes after I turned on the PC and after turning the machine off a few times. Obviously, no such problems now that it's warm outside! :)

    Yesterday I installed Linux Mint Cinnamon alongside Win XP. But the operating system selection won't allow me to switch between Linux and XP, that is it won't respond to my keyboard commands (always causing Linux to load). The same goes for the BIOS, meaning that I can access the BIOS menu but can't make any setting changes :(.

    Is this potentially a hardware or a software problem?

    Any help is greatly appreciated :).

    Many thanks.

    Shiftdude22
     
    Shiftdude22, May 11, 2013
    #1
  2. Shiftdude22

    williamtyree959

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    It sounds like you're dealing with a couple of issues that could be related to either hardware or software. Here are some steps you can take to diagnose and hopefully resolve the problems:

    1. Keyboard and BIOS Access
    1. Check Keyboard Connection: Ensure that your keyboard is properly connected to the motherboard. If you're using a USB keyboard, try connecting it to a different USB port, preferably one on the back of the motherboard.

    2. Test with Another Keyboard: If possible, try using a different keyboard to see if the issue persists. Sometimes, a faulty keyboard can cause these kinds of problems.

    3. Reset BIOS/CMOS: You can reset the BIOS/CMOS to default settings by removing the CMOS battery from the motherboard for a few minutes and then reinserting it. This can help if the BIOS settings have become corrupted.

    4. Update BIOS: If you can access the BIOS but cannot make changes, it might be worth updating the BIOS to the latest version from the motherboard manufacturer’s website. Be cautious with BIOS updates and follow the instructions carefully.
    2. Operating System Boot Issues
    1. Check Boot Order: Make sure the boot order in the BIOS is set correctly. The system should be configured to boot from the drive where the operating system you want to use is installed.

    2. GRUB Configuration: Since you installed Linux Mint alongside Windows XP, the bootloader (GRUB) might not be configured correctly. You might need to update or repair GRUB. Boot into Linux Mint and open a terminal, then run:

      bash
      sudo update-grub

      This command will detect other operating systems and update the GRUB configuration file.

    3. Keyboard Layout Issues: Ensure that the keyboard layout settings in both Linux Mint and the BIOS are set to a layout that matches your physical keyboard. Sometimes, a mismatch can cause issues with key inputs.

    4. Check for Hardware Issues: If the problem persists, consider checking for any hardware issues. Sometimes, faulty RAM or other hardware components can cause unpredictable behavior. Running hardware diagnostics or using a different set of components can help identify the issue.
    Conclusion
    Given that the problem with booting into different operating systems and making BIOS changes occurs intermittently, it could be a sign of either a hardware issue (like a loose connection or failing component) or a software/configuration issue (like incorrect BIOS settings or GRUB configuration). By methodically checking each of these areas, you should be able to narrow down the cause and find a solution. If you’re still having trouble, providing more specific details about the behavior and any error messages you encounter could help in diagnosing the problem further.
     
    williamtyree959, Sep 11, 2024
    #2
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