Lenovo LOQ bios will not list usb boot

[Mac29]

This ones a real ah heck. I cannot boot anything but the OS on a LOQ 151RH8 because the bios will not allow 'usb boot' to list.

Only options that list in the boot menu are SSD or PXE boot. If ANYONE can assist with how to get bios ver LZCN34WW to list usb boot in the boot menu, that is the problem. (I can enable usb boot and disable secure boot, but I cannot find any other setting that solves the problem.) I can't even update the bios without booting from usb.

Lenovo support wants $99 for one time software support but so far their support doesn't even understand what a bios is. Manual is pitiful. Other forums think if the usb is proven to work elsewhere it will boot but, even from advanced startup menu I receive error "System doesn't have any usb boot option. Please select another boot option from the boot menu.'

Any advice would be highly appreciated.

Thanx,

Mac

 

[Jimminy]

Is USB support enabled in bios? (Some computers allow you to disable Usb ports.)

Can you read files from a USB drive after you boot into windows?

Does the USB drive show up in disk management?

 

[Mac29]

Yes, as I said, enabled. Sure, I can access the usb when in windows 11. It needs some other setting to list in the boot menu. There is no 'Legacy' or CSM anywhere in this bios. Very confounding as the manual and lenovo support has no information.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Looked for the 'Novo' button? Google that. It's used as a special boot-time-bios-access and multi-boot tool. It's a recessed button.

 

[Tech Junky]

no 'Legacy' or CSM

Then make sure the drive is gpt and not MBR.

 

[Mac29]

Flashdrive does show in Disk Management. Have tried the novo button, same.

I'm thinking it may have to do with this bios being in 'Setup mode' but I cannot change that from it's drop down field. I'll try making the drive gpt.

Thank you Jimminy, VirtualLarry and Tech Junky.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Bios > exit panel or whatever the last section is called, look for “OS optimization”

If this is enabled, uefi boot only, disable it to boot whatever

Also, hit f12 on boot to break out of bopt sequence and get to a choose your own adventure boot menu

Edit: also, the latest version of BIOS is CN37WW, which has about 10 CVE’s fixed. I strongly recommend a BIOS update, which can also fix issues (like boot problems) even tho it’s not listed in the readme

https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/us/en/products/laptops-and-netbooks/gaming-series/loq-15irh8/downloads/driver-list/component?name=BIOS%2FUEFI&id=5AC6A815-321D-440E-8833-B07A93E0428C

BIOS updated can be start from inside windows.

1. Download and run the executable, follow the prompts
2. Laptop will reboot to apply the bios update.
3. Don’t touch ANYthing until the bios update completes, reboots as many times as it needs to, and lands you back at the windows login screen. Bios updates are much different under uefi, and multiple reboots initiated by the system during this process are normal now.

 

[Mac29]

First, the flashdrive is GPT ( and exFAT). Haven't seen OS optimization but I'll look again. Previously, F12 just gave same boot menu (only SSD since I disabled PXE boot).

Torn about updating bios since I've heard others had issues w/their OS in some cases. I'll image first.

Unfortunately w/work and family issues it'll take a while to get through that.

But thank you profusely ch33zw1z. 👍

 

[ch33zw1z]

First, the flashdrive is GPT ( and exFAT). Haven't seen OS optimization but I'll look again. Previously, F12 just gave same boot menu (only SSD since I disabled PXE boot).

Torn about updating bios since I've heard others had issues w/their OS in some cases. I'll image first.

Unfortunately w/work and family issues it'll take a while to get through that.

But thank you profusely ch33zw1z. 👍

Re: starting the BIOS update from inside windows.

Yea, I get that for sure. My first experience with BIOS update from inside windows back in early 00’s was not good. Luckily I had a dual-bios gigabyte board and could flip to the backup BIOS.

Fast forward to now, I have had quite a bit of xp with Lenovo…and eventually over time became more comfortable with the in OS start mainly due to the enhancements of uEFI. The old way actually tried to update in the OS, the uEFI stages it and reboots the laptop. I definitely understand hesitancy though.