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Black screen instead of “Choose an operating system menu”, then no

Tags: Operating Systems

I had Windows 10 installed on one partition, and then installed Windows 10 on another partition. The first time I restarted the laptop after the installation finished, I got the “Choose an operating system” (you know, the blue menu with white font) menu (with the two installations) and the 30 seconds time before the auto choose. But then, after the new Windows 10 started, and after the drivers were automatically installed and everything else set up, I restarted the laptop again, and this time there was no “Choose an operating system”” menu – instead there was black screen (with display backlight turned on of course) for some time (probably the 30 seconds) and then the laptop booted into the newly installed Windows 10 (it is set as default now). I tried restarting the laptop several times to confirm that this is the issue. I tried pressing the F12 button at boot, which brings another Windows menu (also blue) from which you can choose the option for the “Choose an operating system” menu. I chose that option, and the “Choose an operating system” menu came up and I could choose between the two installations (the older installation is set as second – non-default choice).

So, I’m very happy that something worse didn’t happen, but how can I fix the black screen during the automatic (at laptop turn on) “Choose an operating system” menu. Without breaking something else meanwhile.

Topic

While I can’t guess your install method or choices.

In reply to Black screen instead of “Choose an operating system menu”, then no

I’d set the default OS to load using the following tutorial and hope for the best.

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/21934-choose-default-operating-system-load-startup-windows-10-a.html

my reply

In reply to While I can’t guess your install method or choices.

I installed it via bootable USB installation method.
At the bootloader, now they’re named Volume 5 (the first one listed, currently default – the newer installation) and Volume 6 (the second one listed, currently non-default – the older installation).

Note: I installed Windows several times on my laptop, and I deleted some of the former installations, formatted partitions etc. Now I have these two installations only.

Also, these two installations are installed from different source installations.
Maybe it got glitched after many different installations.

Also, I don’t want to use the method you mentioned, since I really want dual-boot at once installed (I want a reserve boot just in case), and I want the issue fixed from the root, although setting the default to instantly load without bootloader may fix the issue. But still, I would not risk it, it may break the system further.

The method I linked about is as safe as it gets.

In reply to my reply

While I disagree about “without bootloader” and more I think you want a Microsoft Engineer from Microsoft to work this one. They’ll do that for a fee.

reply

In reply to The method I linked about is as safe as it gets.

I mean, the default OS is already set (to the newer installation).

There’s a known Microsoft issue/fix.

In reply to reply

For decades Microsoft has had issues where you look at a setting and it’s right but does not work. You change to something else then back and it works again.

Sometimes you encounter a new IT staffer that hasn’t learned this lesson and you flip the setting off then on again and it works. When they ask why you say “Microsoft?”

There’s another type of person that wants a “root” solution and for those you know it’s going to be a long day as Microsoft’s systems were never open to inspection and some problems require us to repeat an install or pay Microsoft for their engineering help. We have only used them twice in decades because the cost is far more than a do over or a restore from backups.

PS. Another once in a while.

In reply to There’s a known Microsoft issue/fix.

Folk will find a solution such as minitool or more where a forum with a master in such a tool takes time to work out a solution. Such solutions are very specific to the failure and let’s hope you share when you find it.

Try to Choose Default windows in BIOS

In reply to Black screen instead of “Choose an operating system menu”, then no

you can try to choose default operating system in your BIOS. here you can see the default booting device. select hard disk as first boot and then during restarting press F8 to open advanced menu and try to choose default OS.
Hopefully this will work for you.

[Author]

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