Resolved Unwanted screen at startup

When I start up Windows 7 on my desktop the process stops at the screen shown in the attached b/w file. All I have to do to continue is press F1 as indicated on the screen. Everything works perfectly after that. I'd like to bypass that screen however without having to press F1.

I think the problem arose after I changed the boot order in the BIOS in order to install Windows 10 from a removable device. (The installation stuck at 86% in the last phase - configuration - so I reverted to Windows 7, but that's another story),

I attach a photo of the present device boot order which is probably causing the problem. Could anyone see anything in the boot order which might be causing the b/w page to stop the automatic progress into the normal desktop screen without having to press F1? Thank you,

 

I have seen this before when the system was expecting to see a floppy disk in a floppy drive. I have also seen this when the CMOS battery was failing. Are your date and time always correct? Even if they are, I would probably replace the CMOS battery.

Power off the computer and unplug it from the wall. Open the side panel, touch bare metal of the case interior to discharge any static in your body, then carefully remove the battery. It is usually held in place by some spring loaded lever so take care when removing. And note the polarity before removing too.

It is probably a CR2032 wafer battery that you find at any battery/watch/camera counter for a couple $$. If the case interior is fully of heat trapping dust, clean it out while in there and make sure all your fans spin freely.

Do not touch the new battery with your bare fingers - skin oils promote corrosion and attract dust. I put a clean cotton sock over my hand. Insert the battery, again observing polarity.

Connect power and boot directly into the BIOS Setup Menu. Set your date and time, verify or set your boot order, then Save and Exit to boot normally and hopefully you will not see this window.

Note your second image show a DVD drive as your first boot disk, the LAN as your second, boot manager as your third and finally a removable disk as your forth. I don't see any normal hard disk or SSD in your boot order.

 

The time and date are and always have been correct.

I'd just like to say that (before I start opening the side panel and looking into an unfamiliar jungle) the problem only started for the first time when I changed the boot order and then re-booted. Unfortunately, I can't remember what the order originally was. I do seem to remember, as you've noted, that there was no normal hard disk indicated in the boot order.

By the way, in the first image (3rd line from the bottom) you'll see 'Warning: Your chassis has been opened!'. It's been years since I opened the chassis to upgrade the memory. I've not opened it since then and have not had any problems.

 

You will need to change your Boot sequence in BIOS so that 1st Boot is HDD/SSD. Also there is a connection on your Front Panel Header that enables Chassis Intrusion to be indicated in BIOS. Neil.

 

Yes, Neil, I'd like to change the 1st boot to HDD/SS, but if you look at the second image in my original post you'll see that there is no HDD/SS option in the boot menu. There is nevertheless a C: drive (and a D: drive) working perfectly well on the computer, so why isn't it listed in the BIOS? If it was listed perhaps that might be the resolution of my problem.

 

Thanks, Arie. That worked perfectly.

See attached image of the disabled chassis warning.

 

It is odd, however, that the Chassis Intrusion Detect setting suddenly changed. Note that setting is an old carry-over and typically used for servers and other systems that hold sensitive or mission essential information and the warning is to allow system admin know someone has been dinking with their system. Most cases today do not support that feature.

Because that suddenly changed and you apparently did not change it, I would still consider changing the battery - especially if this computer is more than 3 years old.

Also note it is the user's responsibility to keep the case interior clean of heat trapping dust and dirt. I recommend you at least open the side panel and do a visual inspection. If full of dust and you are not comfortable cleaning out the computer, I would urge you to take it to a shop and let them do it. And have them change out the battery while at it.

 

Thanks, Bill. Sound advice. It's now on my to-do list.