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HP Consumer Notebook PCs - BIOS Setup Information and Menu Options

Read this guide to open and navigate general BIOS menus and settings. Specific menus and functions vary by notebook model.

The BIOS (Basic Input Output System) controls communication between system devices such as the disk drive, display, and keyboard. It also stores configuration information for peripherals types, startup sequence, system and extended memory amounts, and more. Each BIOS version is customized based on the computer model hardware configuration and includes a built-in setup utility to access and change certain computer settings.

Note:

If you need to update the BIOS to resolve a specific issue, improve performance, or to support a new hardware component or Windows upgrade, go to HP Consumer Notebook PCs - Updating the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) (Windows).

Open the BIOS Setup Utility

Methods to open the BIOS settings depend on the CPU, BIOS version, and notebook manufacture date.

If the procedure fails and Windows launches, shut down the computer and perform the process again.

Turn off the computer, press the power button, and then repeatedly press the esc key until the Startup Menu opens. Press f10 to enter BIOS Setup Utility.

Use the BIOS Setup Utility menus and settings

Use the top menu bar to access computer information, security settings, and system configuration options. Available settings vary by computer model.

CAUTION:

Information stored by the BIOS Setup Utility is essential. Use caution when making changes in the BIOS. A mistake might cause the computer to not perform as expected.

Main menu: Lists general BIOS-related system information, computer model and serial numbers, and a system log.
- System Time
- System Date
- Product Name
- Product Number
- System Board ID
- Born on Date
- Processor Type
- Total Memory
- BIOS Version
- BIOS Vendor
- Serial Number
- UUID Number
- System Board CT Number
- Factory Installed OS
- Primary Battery SN
- System Log
- Build ID
- Feature Byte
Security menu: Set an admin password, review Trusted Platform Module (TPM) settings, and restore default security settings.
- Administrator Password
- Power-On Password
- Intel Software Guard Extensions (SGX)
- TPM Device
- TPM State
- Clear TPM
- Restore Security settings to Factory Defaults
System Configuration Menu: Change computer boot and BIOS settings, including disabling the fn key, secure boot options, and enabling Virtualization Technology.
- Language
- Virtualization Technology
- Fan Always On
- Action Keys Mode
- USB Charging
- Battery Remaining Time
- F5 LED
- Audio DSP
- Boot Options
  - Post Hotkey Delay (Sec)
  - USB Boot
  - Network Boot
  - Network Boot Protocol
  - Legacy Support
  - Secure Boot
  - Platform Key
  - Pending Action
  - Clear All Secure Boot Keys
  - UEFI Boot Order
    
    OS Boot Manager
    
    USB Diskette on Key/USB Hard Disk
    
    USB CD/DVD ROM Drive
    
    Network Adapter
  - Legacy Boot Order
    
    OS Boot Manager
    
    Notebook Hard Drive
    
    USB Diskette on Key/USB Hard Disk
    
    USB CD/DVD ROM Drive
    
    USB Network Adapter
    
    Network Adapter
Exit Menu: Select how to save or discard changed configuration settings, or load default setup values.
- Exit Saving Changes
- Exit Discarding Changes
- Load Setup Defaults

Navigate BIOS Setup Utility menus

Identify the keyboard key used to navigate to and select menus and settings in the BIOS.

Keyboard keys to navigate BIOS Setup Utility menu
Key	Action
f10	Enter Setup at the red Compaq logo or blue HP logo
f1	Setup Help
esc	Exit Setup
Up or Down arrow key	Selects an item (Moves the cursor up or down)
Left or Right arrow key	Selects a different menu screen (Moves the cursor left or right)
f5 or f6	Changes the values of the selected item
enter	Select submenu
f9	Load the Setup default values
f10	Save changes and Exit

Restore default BIOS Setup settings

Use the BIOS Setup Utility to restore the factory installed BIOS settings.

In the BIOS Setup utility, select the Exit tab.
Select Load Setup Defaults.
Select Save Changes and Exit (pressing f9 and the enter key also loads Setup Defaults).
Press esc and enter to exit Setup.

Restore a forgotten or nonworking BIOS power-on password

HP notebooks generate a code after entering an incorrect password three times.

Contact HP Customer Support to unlock the computer with the generated code.

Update the BIOS

You can update the BIOS if Windows starts or does not start.

Resolve issues during a BIOS update

If an issue occurs when updating the BIOS, such as a system hang or an error message displays, an automatic BIOS recovery is attempted.

The system is not damaged if it can boot into Windows. If this occurs, download and install the latest BIOS update from HP Software and Driver Downloads.

During a BIOS update reboot a black screen displays and the automatic recovery fails

If during a BIOS update reboot a black screen displays and the automatic recovery fails, there are a few methods to manually recover the BIOS.

Use the backup file stored on the hard drive: Turn on the computer, and then immediately press and hold the Windows key and the B key at the same time until you hear 8 beeps. The BIOS Update utility opens to perform a BIOS recovery.
Download the same or newer BIOS file: Go to HP Notebook PCs - Recovering the BIOS (Basic Input Output System), and then follow the instructions to create a BIOS recovery USB key on another computer. Insert the USB key in the computer with the BIOS issue to start the recovery. If nothing happens after inserting the key, restart the computer, and then immediately press and hold the Windows key and the B key at the same time to start the recovery.

Additional support options

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