In this article, we explain what to do if your computer is stuck on a completely black screen with a blinking cursor at the upper left-hand corner when your computer restarts after you click Reboot and Start FixMeStick. This means that you weren’t able to launch a FixMeStick scan successfully. Please select the version of Windows in the index below:
Index:
Starting a FixMeStick scan from the Boot Menu
Starting a FixMeStick Scan From the Boot Menu
Starting a FixMeStick Scan From the Boot Menu
Starting a FixMeStick Scan From the Boot Menu
Disabling the Secure Boot Feature of Your Computer
Changing the Boot Mode of Your Computer
Factory Upgrading Your FixMeStick Device
Starting a FixMeStick Scan From the Boot Menu
Disabling the Secure Boot Feature of Your Computer
Changing the Boot Mode of Your Computer
Factory Upgrading Your FixMeStick Device
If you are not sure what version of Windows you are using, click here to learn how you can find out.
Starting a FixMeStick Scan From the Boot Menu
1. Hold down the power button on your computer until it powers down and remove the FixMeStick device.
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.
3. Insert the FixMeStick device into a USB port on your computer. If you get a message to format your FixMeStick, please click here.
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. Click My Computer that’s located on the right-hand side of the menu.
- The My Computer window will appear on your screen. Double-click the FixMeStick USB option located underneath Devices with Removable Storage. If you can't find the FixMeStick USB, click here.
5. 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.
- Note: Depending on the 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 RunFixMeStick as well.
6. A pop-up will ask if you will allow the FixMeStick to make changes to your computer. Click Yes.
7. You will eventually see the end user license agreement similar to the example below. Click on Accept.
8. 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 comes up as seen in the image below.
9. 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.
10. 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 has a different Boot Menu. 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 key on your keyboard.
11. You should then see the FixMeStick logo screen appear. This means the scan is being launched.
- 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!
Starting a FixMeStick Scan From the Boot Menu
1. Hold down the power button on your computer until it powers down and remove the FixMeStick device.
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.
3. Insert the FixMeStick device into a USB port on your computer. If you get a message to format your FixMeStick, please click here.
4. Click the Windows Start logo at the bottom left-hand corner of your screen. Once the Windows Start menu is open, click Computer that’s located on the right-hand side within the Windows start menu as seen in the image below.
- The Computer window will appear on your screen. Double-click the FixMeStick USB option located on the left-hand side of the window. If you can't find the FixMeStick USB, click here.
5. 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.
- Note: Depending on the 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 RunFixMeStick as well.
6. A pop-up will ask if you will allow the FixMeStick to make changes to your computer. Click on Yes.
7. You will eventually see the end user license agreement similar to the example below. Click on Accept.
8. After this, the FixMeStick application will start and you will see a window that will check for updates. 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 comes up as seen in the image below.
9. 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
10. 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 has a different Boot Menu. 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 key on your keyboard.
11. You should then see the FixMeStick logo screen appear. This means the scan is being launched.
- 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!
Starting a FixMeStick Scan from the Boot Menu
1. Hold down the power button on your computer until it powers down and remove the FixMeStick device.
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.
3. Insert the FixMeStick device into a USB port on your computer. If you get a message to format your FixMeStick, please click here.
4. Click the Windows Start logo at the bottom left-hand corner of your screen to open the Windows Start menu. Click Computer that’s located on the right-hand side of the menu.
- The Computer window will appear on your screen. Double-click the FixMeStick USB option located in the My Computer folder. If you can't find the FixMeStick USB, click here.
5. 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.
- Note: Depending on the 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 RunFixMeStick as well.
6. A pop-up will ask if you will allow the FixMeStick to make changes to your computer. Click on Yes.
7. You will eventually see the end user license agreement similar to the example below. Click on Accept.
8. After this, the FixMeStick application will start and you will see a window that is doing updates appear. 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 comes up as seen in the image below.
9. 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.
10. 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 has a different Boot Menu. 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 key on your keyboard.
11. You should then see the FixMeStick logo screen appear. This means the scan is being launched.
- 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!
Starting a FixMeStick Scan from the Boot Menu
1. Hold down the power button on your computer until it powers down and remove the FixMeStick device.
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.
3. Insert the FixMeStick device into a USB port on your computer. If you get a message to format your FixMeStick, please click here.
4. Click the Windows Start logo at the bottom left hand corner of your screen. Once the Windows Start menu is open, click Computer that’s located on the right hand side within the Windows start menu as seen in the image below.
5. You will see a search bar at the top right-hand portion of the screen, as shown below. Type File Explorer in the search bar and that option should appear. You will have to left-click this option.
- The File Explorer window will appear on your screen. Double click the FixMeStick USB option located in this folder. If you can't find the FixMeStick USB, click here.
6. When you are in the FixMeStick USB folder, you should see a list of different languages. Locate and double click on FixMeStick.exe. If you can't find the FixMeStick application, click here.
- Note: Depending on the 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 RunFixMeStick as well.
7. A pop-up will ask if you will allow the FixMeStick to make changes to your computer. Click on Yes.
8. You will eventually see the end user license agreement similar to the example below. Click on Accept.
9. After this, the FixMeStick application will start and you will see a window that is doing updates appear. 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.
10. After the updates are complete, wait until the What Happens Next window comes up as seen in the image below.
11. 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.
12. 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 has a different Boot Menu. 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 key on your keyboard.
13. You should then see the FixMeStick logo screen appear. This means the scan is being launched.
- 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!
Disabling the Secure Boot Feature of Your Computer
1. Hold down the power button on your computer until it powers down and remove the FixMeStick device.
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.
3. Insert the FixMeStick device into a USB port on your computer. If you get a message to format your FixMeStick, please click here.
4. Click the Windows Start logo at the bottom left hand corner of your screen.
5. You will see a search bar at the top right-hand portion of the screen, as shown below. Type File Explorer into the search bar and that option will appear. You will have to left-click this option.
- The File Explorer window will appear on your screen. Double click the FixMeStick USB option located in this window. If you can't find the FixMeStick USB, click here.
6. When you are in the FixMeStick USB folder, you should see a list of different languages. Locate and double click on FixMeStick.exe. If you can't find the FixMeStick application, click here.
- Note: Depending on the 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 RunFixMeStick as well.
7. A pop-up will ask if you will allow the FixMeStick to make changes to your computer. Click on Yes.
8. You will eventually see the end user license agreement similar to the example below. Click on Accept.
9. After this, the FixMeStick application will start and you will see a window that is doing updates appear. 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 comes up as seen in the image below.
10. Find the appropriate BIOS Menu key based on the make of your computer here.
11. On the What Happens Next window, click on the red button that says Reboot and Start FixMeStick. Your computer will restart.
- Immediately start tapping the BIOS Menu key on your keyboard once every second or faster while your computer is restarting.
- Keep tapping the BIOS Menu key until you see the BIOS Menu or the Setup Utility Menu on the screen. There are different versions of BIOS. It will most likely look something like this:
- You won’t be able to use your mouse in the BIOS menu, but you can use the four arrow keys on your keyboard to navigate this menu.
12. You will see some tabs at the top across the screen. Using your left and right arrow keys, you can highlight each tab and see what features are located under each tab. You will be looking for the Secure Boot feature.
- Since each computer has a slightly different BIOS menu, the Secure Boot feature can be found under different tabs, such as System Configuration, Boot, or Security.
- The Secure Boot feature under the System Configuration tab will look something like this:
- The Secure Boot feature under the the Boot tab will look something like this:
- The Secure Boot feature under the the Security will look something like this:
13. Once you locate the Secure Boot feature in your BIOS menu, use the down arrow key on the keyboard to go down to Secure Boot. Once Secure Boot is highlighted, press Enter on your keyboard.
14. Using the arrow keys on your keyboard, change Secure Boot from Enabled to Disabled. Once the Disabled option is highlighted, press Enter on your keyboard. Now, it should say Disabled next to Secure Boot.
15. If the Secure Boot option looks like it’s grayed-out and is not letting you highlight and select it to make the necessary changes as described above, you must set up a Supervisor Password before having access to Secure Boot. If that’s the case for your computer, here’s how you can set up a Supervisor Password:
- Use the arrow keys to highlight the Security tab at the top of your screen.
- Go down to the Select Setup Password option or Set Supervisor Password option.
- Once either of those options is highlighted, press Enter on your keyboard. This will allow you to set a new password. Enter your new password and press Enter on your keyboard.
- At any point during this process, your BIOS menu can ask you if you are sure you want to make this change. You can use the arrow keys to select Yes and hit Enter.
- Make sure to make a note of your new Supervisor Password, because you might need it if you want to make any changes in your BIOS menu in the future!
- Once you set up your Supervisor Password, you will be able to Disable the Secure Boot feature as explained in the steps above.
- Once it says Disabled next to Secure Boot, hit the F10 key that’s located at the top row of your keyboard. This will prompt the Save and Exit (or Exit Saving Changes) box on your screen. Use your arrow keys to highlight Yes and press Enter. This will save the changes and exit the BIOS menu.
16. Your computer will restart and will take you back into Windows.
- Follow the regular Getting Started method by launching the FixMeStick from the What Happens Next screen.
Changing the Boot Mode of Your Computer
1. Hold down the power button on your computer until it powers down and remove the FixMeStick device.
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.
3. Insert the FixMeStick device into a USB port on your computer. If you get a message to format your FixMeStick, please click here.
4. Click the Windows Start logo at the bottom left-hand corner of your screen to open the Windows Start menu.
5. You will see a search bar at the top right-hand portion of the screen, as shown below. Type File Explorer into the search bar. Select the appropriate program from the results window. You will have to left-click this option.
- The File Explorer window will appear on your screen. Double click the FixMeStick USB option located in this folder. If you can't find the FixMeStick USB, click here.
6. When you are in the FixMeStick USB folder, you should see a list of different languages. Locate and double click on FixMeStick.exe. If you can't find the FixMeStick application, click here.
- Note: Depending on the 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 RunFixMeStick as well.
7. A pop-up will ask if you will allow the FixMeStick to make changes to your computer. Click on Yes.
8. You will eventually see the end user license agreement similar to the example below. Click on Accept.
9. After this, the FixMeStick application will start and you will see a window that will check for updates. 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 comes up as seen in the image below.
10. Find the appropriate BIOS Menu key based on the make of your computer here.
11. On the What Happens Next window, click on the red button that says Reboot and Start FixMeStick.
- Your computer will restart.
- Immediately start tapping the BIOS Menu key on your keyboard once every second or faster while your computer is restarting.
- Keep tapping the BIOS Menu key until you see the BIOS Menu or the Setup Utility Menu on the screen. There are different versions of BIOS. It will most likely look something like this:
12. You won’t be able to use your mouse in the BIOS menu, but you can use the four arrow keys on your keyboard to navigate this menu.
- You will see some tabs at the top across the screen. Using your left and right arrow keys, you can highlight each tab and see what features are located under each tab.
- You will be looking for the Legacy option. This is called different things on different versions of BIOS, but most typically can be found under the Advanced tab, the Boot tab, System Configuration tab or Security tab.
- Note: Legacy mode can also be called CSM mode on some models. It will still be located in the same place.
- You can use the arrow keys on your keyboard to highlight either Legacy (USB) Support or Boot Mode, depending on which one your BIOS menu has, and hit Enter.
13. We want to change Legacy (USB) Support from Disabled to Enabled. Or if you have Boot Mode instead, we want to change it from UEFI to either Legacy or CSM.
- Use your arrow keys to highlight Enabled or Legacy/CSM, and press Enter.
- Once you make the necessary change, hit the F10 key that’s located at the top row of your keyboard. This will prompt the Save and Exit (or Exit Saving Changes) box on your screen. Use your arrow keys to highlight Yes and press Enter. This will save the changes and exit the BIOS menu.
14. Your computer will restart and will take you back into Windows.
15. Follow the regular Getting Started method by launching the FixMeStick from the What Happens Next screen.
- After your scan is successfully complete, if you are not able to get back into your Windows, you will have to change the Boot Mode back to UEFI. In that case, hold down the power button on your computer for around 10 seconds to hard shut down the computer and follow the steps above, this time changing the Boot Mode from Legacy/CSM to UEFI.
Factory Upgrading Your FixMeStick Device
1. Hold down the power button on your computer until it powers down and remove the FixMeStick device.
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.
3. Insert the FixMeStick device into a USB port on your computer. If you get a message to format your FixMeStick, please click here.
4. Click the Windows Start logo at the bottom left hand corner of your screen to open the Windows Start menu.
5. You will see a search bar at the top right-hand portion of the screen, as shown below. Type File Explorer into the search bar. Select the appropriate program from the results window. You will have to left-click this option.
- The File Explorer window will appear on your screen. Double click the FixMeStick USB option located in this folder. If you can't find the FixMeStick USB, click here.
6. When you are in the FixMeStick USB folder, you should see a list of different languages. Locate and double click on FixMeStick.exe. If you can't find the FixMeStick application, click here.
- Note: Depending on the 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 RunFixMeStick as well.
7. A pop-up will ask if you will allow the FixMeStick to make changes to your computer. Click on Yes.
8. You will eventually see the end user license agreement similar to the example below. Click on Accept.
9. After this, the FixMeStick application will start and you will see a window that will check for updates. 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 comes up as seen in the image below.
10. On the What Happens Next window, click Settings that’s located at the top towards the right hand side within this window.
- You will see only one option on this page: the Factory Upgrade. Click the button.
- Note: Factory Upgrading your FixMeStick device can take anywhere from a couple of minutes to an hour depending on your internet connection speed. If the update page disappears immediately, it likely did not go through. In that case, click here.
11. Once the Factory Upgrade is complete, the current window will disappear and the What Happens Next window will automatically pop up again.
- Note: It might take a couple of minutes for the What Happens Next window to come back up, but give it some time and it will pop up.
12. On the What Happens Next window, click on the red button that says Reboot and Start FixMeStick.
- 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!
Starting a FixMeStick Scan From the Boot Menu
1. Hold down the power button on your computer until it powers down and remove the FixMeStick device.
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.
3. Insert the FixMeStick device into a USB port on your computer. If you get a message to format your FixMeStick, please click here.
4. Right-click on the Windows Start logo that looks like four white squares at the bottom left hand corner of your screen.
5. You will be given a drop down menu. Left-click the File Explorer option from the drop down list.
- The File Explorer window will appear on your screen. Double click the FixMeStick USB option under the Quick Access menu on the left hand side of the window. If you can't find the FixMeStick USB, click here.
6. When you are in the FixMeStick USB folder, you should see a list of different languages. Locate and double-click on FixMeStick.exe. If you can't find the FixMeStick application, click here.
- Note: Depending on the 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 RunFixMeStick as well.
7. A pop-up will ask if you will allow the FixMeStick to make changes to your computer. Click on Yes.
8. You will eventually see the end user license agreement similar to the example below. Click on Accept.
9. After this, the FixMeStick application will start and you will see a window that will update your device. Allow the updates to complete.
- After the updates are complete, wait until the What Happens Next window comes up as seen in the image below. If you get a page asking you to plug in your FixMeStick and it is already plugged in, please click here.
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.
11. 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 has a different Boot Menu. 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 key on your keyboard.
12. You should then see the FixMeStick logo screen appear. This means the scan is being launched.
- 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!
Disabling the Secure Boot Feature of Your Computer
1. Hold down the power button on your computer until it powers down and remove the FixMeStick device.
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.
3. Insert the FixMeStick device into a USB port on your computer. If you get a message to format your FixMeStick, please click here.
4. Right-click on the Windows Start logo that looks like four white squares at the bottom left hand corner of your screen.
5. You will be given a drop down menu. Left-click the File Explorer option from the drop down list.
- The File Explorer folder will come up on your screen. Double click the FixMeStick USB option under the Quick Access menu on the left hand side of the window. If you can't find the FixMeStick USB, click here.
6. When you are in the FixMeStick USB folder, you should see a list of different languages. Locate and double click on FixMeStick.exe. If you can't find the FixMeStick application, click here.
- Note: Depending on the 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 RunFixMeStick as well.
7. A pop-up will ask if you will allow the FixMeStick to make changes to your computer. Click on Yes.
- After this, the FixMeStick application will start and you will see a window that will update your 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 comes up as seen in the image below.
8. Find the appropriate BIOS Menu key based on the make of your computer here.
9. On the What Happens Next window, click on the red button that says Reboot and Start FixMeStick.
- Your computer will restart.
- Immediately start tapping the BIOS Menu key on your keyboard once every second or faster while your computer is restarting.
- Keep tapping the BIOS Menu key until you see the BIOS Menu or the Setup Utility Menu on the screen. There are different versions of BIOS. It will most likely look something like this:
- You won’t be able to use your mouse in the BIOS menu, but you can use the four arrow keys on your keyboard to navigate this menu.
10. You will see some tabs at the top across the screen. Using your left and right arrow keys, you can highlight each tab and see what features are located under each tab.
- You will be looking for the Secure Boot feature.
- Since each computer has a slightly different BIOS menu, the Secure Boot feature can be found under different tabs, such as System Configuration, Boot, or Security.
- The Secure Boot feature under the System Configuration tab will look something like this:
- The Secure Boot feature under the the Boot tab will look something like this:
- The Secure Boot feature under the the Security will look something like this:
11. Once you locate the Secure Boot feature in your BIOS menu, use the down arrow key on the keyboard to go down to Secure Boot. Once Secure Boot is highlighted, press Enter on your keyboard.
12. Using the arrow keys on your keyboard, change Secure Boot from Enabled to Disabled. Once the Disabled option is highlighted, press Enter on your keyboard. Now, it should say Disabled next to Secure Boot.
13. If the Secure Boot option looks like it’s grayed-out and is not letting you highlight and select it to make the necessary changes as described above, you must set up a Supervisor Password before having access to Secure Boot. If that’s the case for your computer, here’s how you can set up a Supervisor Password:
- Use the arrow keys to highlight the Security tab at the top of your screen.
- Go down to the Select Setup Password option or Set Supervisor Password option.
- Once either of those options is highlighted, press Enter on your keyboard. This will allow you to set a new password. Enter your new password and press Enter on your keyboard.
- At any point during this process, your BIOS menu can ask you if you are sure you want to make this change. You can use the arrow keys to select Yes and hit Enter.
- Make sure to make a note of your new Supervisor Password, because you might need it if you want to make any changes in your BIOS menu in the future!
- Once you set up your Supervisor Password, you will be able to Disable the Secure Boot feature as explained in the steps above.
14. Once it says Disabled next to Secure Boot, hit the F10 key that’s located at the top row of your keyboard. This will prompt the Save and Exit (or Exit Saving Changes) box on your screen. Use your arrow keys to highlight Yes and press Enter. This will save the changes and exit the BIOS menu.
15. Your computer will restart and will take you back into Windows.
- Follow the regular Getting Started method by launching the FixMeStick from the What Happens Next screen.
Changing the Boot Mode of Your Computer
1. Hold down the power button on your computer until it powers down and remove the FixMeStick device.
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.
3. Insert the FixMeStick device into a USB port on your computer. If you get a message to format your FixMeStick, please click here.
4. Right-click on the Windows Start logo that looks like four white squares at the bottom left hand corner of your screen.
5. You will be given a drop down menu. Left-click the File Explorer option from the drop down list.
- The File Explorer folder will come up on your screen. Double-click the FixMeStick USB option under the Quick Access menu on the left hand side of the window. If you can't find the FixMeStick USB, click here.
6. When you are in the FixMeStick USB folder, you should see a list of different languages. Locate and double click on FixMeStick.exe. If you can't find the FixMeStick application, click here.
- Note: Depending on the 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 RunFixMeStick as well.
7. A pop-up will ask if you will allow the FixMeStick to make changes to your computer. Click on Yes.
8. You will eventually see the end user license agreement similar to the example below. Click on Accept.
9. After this, the FixMeStick application will start and you will see a window that will check for updates. 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 comes up as seen in the image below.
10. Find the appropriate BIOS Menu key based on the make of your computer here.
11. On the What Happens Next window, click on the red button that says Reboot and Start FixMeStick.
- Your computer will restart.
- Immediately start tapping the BIOS Menu key on your keyboard once every second or faster while your computer is restarting.
- Keep tapping the BIOS Menu key until you see the BIOS Menu or the Setup Utility Menu on the screen. There are different versions of BIOS. It will most likely look something like this:
- You won’t be able to use your mouse in the BIOS menu, but you can use the four arrow keys on your keyboard to navigate this menu.
12. You will see some tabs at the top across the screen. Using your left and right arrow keys, you can highlight each tab and see what features are located under each tab. You will be looking for the Legacy option. This is called different things on different versions of BIOS, but most typically can be found under the Advanced tab, the Boot Tab,System Configuration Tab or Security Tab.
- Note: Legacy mode can also be called CSM mode on some models. It will still be located in the same place.
13. You can use the arrow keys on your keyboard to highlight either Legacy (USB) Support or Boot Mode, depending on which one your BIOS menu has, and hit Enter.
- We want to change Legacy (USB) Support from Disabled to Enabled. Or if you have Boot Mode instead, we want to change it from UEFI to either Legacy or CSM.
- Use your arrow keys to highlight Enabled or Legacy/CSM, and press Enter.
14. Once you make the necessary change, hit the F10 key that’s located at the top row of your keyboard. This will prompt the Save and Exit (or Exit Saving Changes) box on your screen. Use your arrow keys to highlight Yes and press Enter. This will save the changes and exit the BIOS menu.
15. Your computer will restart and will take you back into Windows.
- Follow the regular Getting Started method by launching the FixMeStick from the What Happens Next screen.
- After your scan is successfully complete, if you are not able to get back into your Windows, you will have to change the Boot Mode back to UEFI. In that case, hold down the power button on your computer for around 10 seconds to hard shut down the computer and follow the steps above, this time changing the Boot Mode from Legacy/CSM to UEFI.
Factory Upgrading Your FixMeStick Device
1. Hold down the power button on your computer until it powers down and remove the FixMeStick device.
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.
3. Insert the FixMeStick device into a USB port on your computer. If you get a message to format your FixMeStick, please click here.
4. Right-click on the Windows Start logo that looks like four white squares at the bottom left hand corner of your screen.
5. You will be given a drop down menu. Left-click the File Explorer option from the drop down list.
- The File Explorer folder will come up on your screen. Double-click the FixMeStick USB option under the Quick Access menu on the left hand side of the window. If you can't find the FixMeStick USB, click here.
6. When you are in the FixMeStick USB folder, you should see a list of different languages. Locate and double-click on FixMeStick.exe. If you can't find the FixMeStick application, click here.
- Note: Depending on the 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 RunFixMeStick as well.
7. A pop-up will ask if you will allow the FixMeStick to make changes to your computer. Click on Yes.
8. You will eventually see the end user license agreement similar to the example below. Click on Accept.
9. After this, the FixMeStick application will start and you will see a window that will update your 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 comes up as seen in the image below.
10. On the What Happens Next window, click Settings that’s located at the top towards the right hand side within this window.
- You will see only one option on this page: the Factory Upgrade. Click the button.
- Note: Factory Upgrading your FixMeStick device can take anywhere from a couple of minutes to an hour depending on your internet connection speed. If the update page disappears immediately, it likely did not go through. In that case, click here.
11. Once the Factory Upgrade is complete, the current window will disappear and the What Happens Next window will automatically pop up again.
- Note: It might take a couple of minutes for the What Happens Next window to come back up, but give it some time and it will pop up.
12. On the What Happens Next window, click on the red button that says Reboot and Start FixMeStick.
- 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.