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Go to SolutionXPS 8940, unable to Boot from Flash Drive
XPS 8940 running Windows 10 Pro 21H1
Trying to boot from USB recovery media created via Aomei Backupper Pro (PE build). The bootable drive isn't listed in BIOS or the F12 boot menu. Tried on two other UEFI based machines and it works perfectly on both. So, logically, I'm thinking it must be down to a specific setting in the XP 8940's BIOS.
Booting from USB is enabled, can't see any other setting that might affect this. Tried booting from a cold start, no go.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
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Posted September 20th, 2021 20:00
@Ozbloke wrote:
Just in the process of contacting Aomei support now. Not hopeful they will come up with a viable solution though.
You are correct, it could easily be a problem with the Aomei bootable media. I'll try your suggestion with Macrium Reflect and see what happens. Will get back to you on that one.
Thanks for all the advice, appreciated.
That's what another user did and -of course- Aomei blamed Dell. But when I finally convinced that user, who also purchased their license, to try Macrium...it worked!
Post back and let us know what happens. Be sure to plug the Macrium bootable USB into the PC with power fully off. Then power on, tap F12 to open the boot menu and select the option to boot from USB.
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Posted September 21st, 2021 17:00
You just had to say it, didn't you. LOL
I've been using Aomei Backupper Pro for 6 years and it has never let me down. The bootable media has always worked fine... until now. Mind you, my other three machines are between 6-8 years old all running under a combination Legacy/UEFI BIOS. The failure on the relatively new Dell seems to suggest that Aomei's media creation tool must not be up-to-date with the latest technology.
I always validate every image. In Aomei it's done automatically, after enabling a one-time setting. I have a 1TB internal data HDD and plenty of external USB hard drives so storage space isn't an issue. I read somewhere once that increasing the level of compression also increases the likelihood of corruptions so I tend to leave the compression setting at default.
We all employ slightly different methods, I guess. Anyway, thanks again, much appreciated.
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Posted September 20th, 2021 16:00
You could try temporarily Disabling SecureBoot.
Do whatever and then try to Re-Enabling it later if you want it on (you usually DO on machines that support it).
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Posted September 20th, 2021 17:00
Re: it works fine in two other (different) UEFI based machines. Tried on two other UEFI based machines and it works perfectly on both.
assuming you are implying that this USB can be seen in boot device list in BIOS or F12 in the other two pc, then the issue is with 8940 BIOS. try reset 8940 bios to factory default, save changes, exit bios, and then see if any change.
you have verified this issue has none to do with secure boot.
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Posted September 20th, 2021 17:00
try a different bootable usb prepared using Windows 10 installation media. make sure usb is plugged in 8940 pc before you power it on, otherwise it would not show up in boot device list in UEFI. If this new usb works, then the old usb may have some issue.
IMO a usb prepared this way is always visible as UEFI: USB mass storage device in UEFI, whether or not secure boot is enabled.
On the other hand, if you want to boot from DVD in odd, secure boot has to be disabled in order for DVD to show up in boot device in UEFI.
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Posted September 20th, 2021 17:00
Sorry, I should have mentioned that I've already tried with Secure Boot disabled... still no go.
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Posted September 20th, 2021 17:00
@Ozbloke Did you answer the question about plugging the Aomei USB into the XPS 8940 with the power fully off?
And IIRC, there are threads saying an Aomei USB won't boot certain recent Dell PC models, but a Macrium Reflect (free) bootable USB does work, as long as it's connected before PC is powered on. Won't help if you're trying to restore an image created by Aomei, but for future reference....
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Posted September 20th, 2021 17:00
There is nothing wrong with the flash drive, as I said, it works fine in two other (different) UEFI based machines. Besides, I tried with a different flash drive, same result. It also shows up fine in Windows 10 File Explorer. It just isn't being recognized in BIOS as a bootable USB.
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Posted September 20th, 2021 18:00
Sorry, another omission on my part. Already tried resetting BIOS to factory default... made no difference.
Apologies for not posting everything I've tried, I've been messing with this for days now and it's all become a bit of a blur. My bad.
BTW: I agree 100% with your assessment. The bootable USB flash drive works fine on every other machine I own (3 in total) so, logically, it must have something to do with a setting in the Dell BIOS.
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Posted September 20th, 2021 19:00
Do yourself a favor.... Create a Macrium Reflect bootable USB stick and see if it boots your XPS 8940 from a full power-off.
If that works, you'll know it's the Aomei software and not something wrong with your PC. And, it won't cost you anything to try Macrium, since it's free, and easy to use.
And if Macrium does boot the PC, contact Aomei for tech support and/or a refund...