Legacy machine frozen in startup cycle, unable to reach BIOS settings for Windows setup
Legacy machine frozen in startup cycle, unable to reach BIOS settings for Windows setup
I’m preparing my sister’s old PC. The 256GB SSD has been cleared, and I’m starting the process of wiping her 1TB HDD. The SSD is connected now, and I’m using a USB media tool to install Windows on it. A 128GB USB drive is available, giving ample room. When the machine powers on, fans begin and it attempts to boot but stops after roughly thirty seconds before restarting repeatedly. I have a BenQ monitor, but cables for DVI-D, HDMI, and DisplayPort aren’t connecting properly—BIOS access keeps failing with messages like “No Cable Connected” or “No Signal Detected.” A USB keyboard is connected, and I’ve tried pressing F1, F8, or DEL to enter BIOS. The system remains stuck in the reboot loop, suggesting a hardware or firmware issue. I’ve tested both 2.0 and 3.0 USB ports on the motherboard and front panel, but nothing works. The CMOS battery was replaced without success. This machine was used recently, but I cleaned dust and reset drives before it was disconnected for two years in a storage area. It seems the drives were removed to move files, and I didn’t reinstall them. I’m unsure why it won’t boot into BIOS or display anything on the monitor. Please advise.
Disconnect the GPU and power down the system. Reset the device by clearing the CMOS.