ACEMAGIC

ACEMAGIC BIOS Key: How to Enter the BIOS

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Short answer: ACEMAGIC lists Del, F2 or Esc as the keys for its mini PCs. Turn the PC off fully, press the power button, and tap the key repeatedly as soon as it starts. Del is the one to try first; ACEMAGIC's M1 manual names Del or Esc.

You might need the BIOS to change the boot order for a USB installer, turn on power-on-after-outage for a home server, check that memory and drives are detected after an upgrade, or turn Secure Boot off to install Linux. Here are two ways in.

Method 1: Key at power-on

  1. Shut down completely. Use Shut down, not Restart or Sleep. Windows Fast Startup can make the boot so quick that the key press is missed; a full shutdown helps.
  2. Use a wired USB keyboard if you have one. ACEMAGIC notes that some keyboards don't register early in the boot process. Wireless and Bluetooth keyboards often aren't ready in time.
  3. Press the power button, and as soon as the screen lights up or the ACEMAGIC logo appears, tap Del repeatedly, about twice a second. Don't hold it down.
  4. If Windows loads instead, shut down and try again with F2, then with Esc.

Method 2: From Windows settings

This route doesn't depend on timing, so it's the most reliable.

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Go to System, then Recovery.
  3. Next to Advanced startup, select Restart now.
  4. On the blue menu, choose Troubleshoot, then Advanced options, then UEFI Firmware Settings.
  5. Select Restart. The PC restarts straight into the BIOS.

If you prefer the command line, ACEMAGIC also notes that running shutdown /r /fw /t 0 from an administrator prompt restarts the PC into the firmware settings.

If you still can't get in

  • One monitor only. Disconnect extra screens and use the main HDMI or DisplayPort output. The BIOS screen may appear on just one output.
  • Try another USB port for the keyboard, ideally a rear port.
  • Turn off Fast Startup in Windows (Control Panel, Power Options, "Choose what the power buttons do") and try Method 1 again.
  • Use Method 2. It works even when the key timing doesn't.

Change settings carefully

ACEMAGIC's manual advises keeping default BIOS settings unless you've installed hardware that needs a change, and warns that wrong settings can cause instability or a failure to start. Change one setting at a time and note what you changed. Most BIOS screens include an option to load default settings if something goes wrong.

Which ACEMAGIC is this for?

These steps apply across the range, including the V1, K1, M1, M5 and X3. If you're still choosing a model, our guide to choosing an ACEMAGIC mini PC explains which configurations can take more memory or a second drive, the usual reasons to visit the BIOS in the first place.