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1 Rookie

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2 Posts

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November 11th, 2022 04:00

Anyone know how to boot to bios on a dell inspiron 3668

I'm trying to upgrade to ssd from my hdd to run stuff alot faster but I don't know how to boot to bios on my dekstop. Thanks in advance.
Specs:
windows 10
intel i3-7100
gt 730
12 gigs ddr4 2400 mhz ram

9 Legend

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12.6K Posts

November 11th, 2022 08:00

That would be F2 at boot. You can also do it with F12 at boot.

November 11th, 2022 11:00

According to Dell, "F12 to access the one-time boot menu."

https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/drivers/driversdetails?driverid=mcn7j

F2 usually works as well, but some of these systems you have to be quick.

If the screen doesn't pop-up with the relevant F keys that you should press to boot to bios, then try holding down F12 or F2 as soon as you turn the computer on. Eventually it should load to bios or at least some helpful screen.

What SSD are you upgrading to?

10 Elder

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45.2K Posts

November 11th, 2022 12:00

@Inspiron3668dude 

What are you planning to change in BIOS setup? Windows Boot Manager should always be first in the Boot Sequence.

You should check to see if BIOS is set to RAID or AHCI, but don't change it. If it's set to RAID, you'll want  to reconfigure Windows to use AHCI before installing a new SSD. This has to be done correctly or PC won't be bootable:

  1. Open Cmd prompt window,  Run as administrator
  2. Copy-paste this command, which will start Windows in Safe Mode the next time you reboot: bcdedit /set {current} safeboot minimal and press Enter
  3. Restart the computer and enter BIOS setup
  4. Change SATA Operation mode from RAID to AHCI
  5. Save the change and exit Setup; Windows will automatically boot in Safe Mode
  6. Open Cmd again, as in step #1.
  7. Copy-paste this command, which will start Windows in Normal Mode the next time you reboot: bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot and press Enter
  8. Reboot and Windows will automatically start with AHCI drivers enabled

Now you're ready to install an SSD. You need a 2.5" SATA SSD because this PC model doesn't have a slot for an M.2 NVME SSD.  You can install the SSD in the 2.5" drive bay and and easily clone the HDD onto the SSD using Macrium Reflect (free).

As long as the HDD with Windows on it is connected, the PC will always boot "normally" from that drive, even after it has been cloned onto the new SSD.  

When both are connected, use the F12 menu option to boot from the new SSD.  Once it boots from the SSD, use Windows Disk Management to initialize the HDD (ALL FILES DELETED!). Then shut down normally and reboot normally. PC will now boot from the new SSD and the HDD can be used for extra storage.

If you want to keep the HDD with all its files as a backup after it's cloned onto the SSD, disconnect it from the blue SATA port on the motherboard and connect the SSD there. You can leave the HDD in the PC or remove it and store it safely somewhere.

October 8th, 2023 04:46

@RoHe​ Hello, I have successfully cloned my OS to the new SSD, but I bought an M.2 adapter for PCIE but it won't work, is it possible that it's not supported to boot from a PCIE? I'm thinking of buying a SATA adapter now, although it would be slower.

10 Elder

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45.2K Posts

October 8th, 2023 20:10

@MrVanderWaldt  - Always include exact PC model and version of Windows in your posts.

How are you trying to boot from the new SSD in the PCI-e adapter?

If it doesn't boot from the SSD in the PCI-e adapter, how do you know you "successfully cloned the OS to the new SSD"?

What happens when you try to boot from the SSD in the PCI-e adapter, error message or...?

Is the original boot drive still connected to the motherboard?

BTW: next time start your own new thread...

(edited)

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