This BIOS issue is for true BIOS nerds

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(i) This BIOS issue is for true BIOS nerds.      

My laptop’s BIOS gives the option to set the disk speed at SATA-3 or SATA-6.

When in the BIOS the disk speed is set at SATA-3 there is no problem, everything works well.

When in the BIOS the disk speed is set at SATA-6 this is what happens:

(a) if the computer is “Powered-off (shut down) and Powered-on” – even multiple times consecutively – there is no problem;

(b) if the computer is simply “Restarted”, the BIOS doesn’t find the system disk, as it disappeared, and obviously the OS can’t load.

What might be the cause?

(ii) Solutions that I’ve already and unsuccessfully tried (i.e. the problem persists).

Removed ALL batteries and power sources for a couple of days

Replaced the CMOS battery

Downgraded and upgraded the BIOS version

Replaced all disks (Samsung SSD’s)

Replaced the system disk twice

Reinstalled all disk drivers

Switched partition system from MBR to GPT

Upgraded OS from Windows 10 to Windows 11

(iii) Further technical information (which I think you don’t need to spot the problem if you are a true BIOS nerd – not like me)

Laptop model = HP EliteBook 8560p (old, but perfectly tweaked and running like a Ferrari)

BIOS = HP 68SCF v. F67A dated Feb 13, 2018 (last one)

Boot mode = UEFI

Motherboard = HP 1618 (KBC v. 97.4E) Southbridge: Intel QM67

Equipped with = Intel i7-2620M – RAM 16G – two SSD: 512 GB system disk + 1 TB

Current OS: Windows 11, 22H2, 19045.5131

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I’m going to make a guess.
SATA-6 is not the right BIOS setting

When the system is Powered on/off, the system state is saved in the hiberfile (sleep or hibernation enabled?) The system doesn’t have to go through the BIOS for system information. If you started with SATA-3 on the way up, that setting is retained.

When the system Restarted, the system state is not retained in the hiberfile, and the system has to go through the BIOS for the settings. If the settings are wrong (SATA-6), the drive doesn’t show up.

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Thank you PKCano

I have the sentiment that your reply can be somehow useful to solve my problem, but before addressing what you said, I’m not sure whether Hibernation is enabled or not. Can you please tell me how / where should I check in the OS settings (Windows 11)?

 

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Information about hibernate, including how to turn it on or off:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/shut-down-sleep-or-hibernate-your-pc-2941d165-7d0a-a5e8-c5ad-8c972e8e6eff

If you have a huge file named hiberfil.sys in the root directory of your Drive C (or other boot drive) then hibernation is on.

To see hiberfil.sys in File Explorer or other file viewer, you must enable viewing of hidden and system files.

Paul

 

Dell XPS17, 11th Gen Intel I7, 64gb RAM, Windows 11 Home 23H2

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Well,

Hibernation was not enabled (no Hiberfil.sys and no Hibernate option in the Start button)  then I’ve enabled it with the “powercfg /h on” Prompt command (now the hiberfil.sys is there) and made a few trials (Hibernation back and forth, Power-off/on, Restart) but nothing changed. One good thing is that I’ve remembered that Hibernation was not enabled simply because I no circumstance I may need it, so I’d better save a couple of GB of SSD room.

You wrote: “When the system is Powered on/off, the system state is saved in the hiberfile (sleep or hibernation enabled?) The system doesn’t have to go through the BIOS for system information. If you started with SATA-3 on the way up, that setting is retained.”

But … for years the system has worked well with SATA-6 set in the BIOS and without Hibernation enabled.

The question now is: why, starting from a precise point in time, only when the disk speed is set at SATA-6 and the system is Restarted, the laptop does not load the OS (BootDevice Not Found, Error 3F0)?

 

 

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I would get a hard disk speed tester (CrystalDiskMark) and test the disk in SATA 3 and 6 mode. If there is very little difference, stick to SATA 3.

cheers, Paul

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Thanks Paul,

you’re right, that would end all troubles. Actually I’m struggling to make SATA-6 work properly, right because in my laptop equipped with two SSD the difference in performance between the two SATA speed can be materially perceived – not to mention the CrystalDiskMark scores.

 

 

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