System frozen in BIOS, cannot access Windows.
System frozen in BIOS, cannot access Windows.
Hey everyone, I’m facing an issue where my PC won’t boot into Windows from the BIOS. Instead, it just restarts back into the BIOS. When I power on before entering BIOS, I see an error: “After setting up Intel Optane memory or RAID configuration was built, SATA mode selection must be changed to RAID mode to avoid unknown issues.” It’s currently set to AHCI, and I think it’s been that way for about 3-4 years. This problem started after I moved into a new place. The computer worked fine before the move, but after sitting unused for a month, I tried booting again. I removed the CMOS battery during transport and replaced it, but the same error appeared. I’ve also tested switching SATA from AHCI to RAID, using just an NVMe SSD and HDD, and still got the message. Only once did I encounter this while dual-booting Linux, which helped a bit but wasn’t a complete solution.
The situation has two potential explanations. You can eliminate one by changing from AHCI to RAID and back. Another option is to switch on the "legacy boot" (CSM in later BIOS versions) and test the startup. On Intel systems, using a NVMe drive always requires RAID mode for proper operation, even without it. Incorrect settings make the drive unrecognizable during boot. If CMOS was reset, you may need to manually choose the UEFI partition or OS partition in the boot menu. It usually resolves itself after one boot. Sometimes secure boot is enabled but displays a different message. Disable secure boot and try booting the OS again to see the actual error.
I needed to access the CSM and rearrange my boot drives. It seems the system reset after clearing the CMOS, just as you mentioned. Appreciate the guidance and support!
I joined the CSM through the designated process outlined in the guidelines.