In this article, you will be guided through the troubleshooting steps you should take in the event that you need to launch your FixMeStick from your computer's BIOS boot menu.
Here's how to start your FixMeStick from your computer's Bios Boot Menu:
Step 1: Hold down the power button on your computer until it powers down and remove the FixMeStick device.
Step 2: Press the power button on your computer to turn the computer back on. If you have a login password, enter it. Allow the computer to load to your home screen.
Step 3: Insert the FixMeStick device into a USB port on your computer. If you get a message to format your FixMeStick, please click here.
Step 4: Click the Windows start logo at the bottom left hand corner of your screen to open the Windows start menu as seen in the image below.
Index for Windows Version:
- Windows XP you're looking for "My Computer," located on the right hand side of the start menu. Click on it.
- Windows Vista andWindows 7 you're looking for"Computer," located on the right hand side of the start menu. Click on it.
- Windows 8/8.1 and Windows 10/11 you're looking for "File Explorer," you can type "File Explorer" into the search bar or it will appear on your screen. You will have to left-click on it.
Step 5: Double-click the FixMeStick USB option located either on the left-hand panel or under Devices with Removable Storage or Devices and Drives or Quick Access Menu. If you can't find the FixMeStick USB, click here.
Step 6: When you are in the FixMeStick USB folder, you should see a list of different languages:
- Locate and double-click on FixMeStick. If you can't find the FixMeStick application, click here.
- Depending on the update version of your FixMeStick device, the FixMeStick USB folder may look slightly different than what is explained above. The FixMeStick application can show up as FixMeStick or RunFixMeStick as well.
Step 7: A pop-up will ask if you will allow the FixMeStick to make changes to your computer. Click on Yes.
Step 8: You will eventually see the end user license agreement similar to the example below. Click on Accept.
Step 9: The application will then search for updates for your FixMeStick device. Allow the updates to complete. If you get a page asking you to plug in your FixMeStick and it is already plugged in, please click here.
- After the updates are complete, wait until the What Happens Next window appears:
Step 10: Before selecting Reboot and Start FixMeStick, find the appropriate Boot Menu key based on the make of your computer here.
- Once you’ve identified your Boot key, click on Reboot and Start FixMeStick
- Your computer will restart.
- Immediately start tapping your Boot key on your keyboard (1-2 times per second) while your computer is restarting.
- Keep tapping the Boot key until you see the Boot Menu or the Boot Device Options on the screen.
- Each computer brand has a boot menu that looks slightly different from the others. Here are some examples:
Step 11: Using the up and down arrow keys on your keyboard, highlight the option that says FixMeStick in the Boot Menu.
- If you are not seeing any option that mentions FixMeStick, try an option that says USB Device or USB Storage.
- When the FixMeStick or the USB option is selected, press the Enter key on your keyboard.
Step 12: Our logo will appear. The computer screen may go black for a moment, and the words FixMeStick… may appear in the top left corner. Eventually, our logo screen will appear again.
Keep in mind that it might take a couple of minutes for your computer to start the scan.
When you see Computer Status: Safe so far on the screen, it means that you’re in the FixMeStick scan!
How to start your FixMeStick from the Boot Menu If You Can't Open the FixMeStick Application:
In certain cases, you may not be able to open the FixMeStick application on your computer. You can follow these instructions to start your FixMeStick straight from the boot menu without using our application:
Step 1: Find the appropriate Boot Menu key based on the make of your computer here.
Step 2: Shut your computer down. Once you've ensured that the computer is fully shut down turn the computer back on and immediately start tapping the appropriate Boot Menu key on your keyboard once every second or faster while your computer is restarting.
- Keep tapping the Boot Menu key until you see the Boot Menu or the Boot Device Options on the screen.
- Each computer brand has a boot menu that looks slightly different from the others. Here are some examples:
- Using the up and down arrow keys on your keyboard, highlight the option that says FixMeStick in the Boot Menu.
- If you are not seeing any option that mentions FixMeStick, try an option that says USB Device or USB Storage.
- When the FixMeStick or the USB option is selected, press the Enter or Return key on your keyboard.
Step 3: Your computer will restart and will take you into a FixMeStick scan. Keep in mind that it might take a couple of minutes for your computer to start the scan. When you see Computer Status: Safe so far on the screen, it means that you’re in the FixMeStick scan!