Pc wont output display signal after turning on secure boot

Title: Troubleshooting No Display Signal After Enabling Secure Boot on Your PC

Introduction:

Enabling Secure Boot in the BIOS can sometimes lead to unexpected issues, especially if certain system configurations are not aligned. Users may encounter a situation where, after enabling Secure Boot and making BIOS changes, their PC fails to output a display signal. This guide aims to help diagnose and resolve such problems, ensuring your system is back up and running smoothly.

Scenario Overview:

A common scenario involves a user attempting to enable Secure Boot on a system that previously operated in Legacy BIOS mode. In the process, they switch to UEFI mode, enable Secure Boot, and attempt to save changes. However, upon doing so, the screen goes dark, and no video output is detected, despite the system seemingly powering on correctly (fans spin, keyboard and mouse lights remain on).

Key Contributing Factors:

• BIOS Mode Transition: Switching from Legacy to UEFI mode
• Storage Configuration: Mismatch between partition style (MBR vs. GPT)
• BIOS Settings: Secure Boot activation and default key generation
• Hardware Configuration: Disabling integrated graphics not applicable for CPUs without onboard graphics

Troubleshooting Steps:

1. Verify BIOS Settings and Storage Partition Style

2. Check Partition Style: Secure Boot requires the system drive to be formatted with GPT partition style. If the boot drive remains MBR, enabling Secure Boot will prevent the system from booting or showing display output.

3. Solution: Use another working computer to create a bootable USB with Windows installation media. Boot into recovery or command prompt, and verify partition style using disk partitioning tools.

4. Conversion to GPT: If necessary, convert the drive from MBR to GPT using tools like DiskPart, ensuring data backup beforehand.

5. Reset BIOS Settings

6. CMOS Reset: Since initial attempts included clearing CMOS (battery removal, jumper, unplugging), consider a thorough reset:

   • Remove the CMOS battery, wait 10-15 minutes, then reinsert.
   • Use the motherboard jumper to reset BIOS to default.
   • Disconnect all peripherals except keyboard, mouse, and monitor.

7. Outcome: Restores BIOS to default state, potentially resolving misconfigurations.

8. Check Display Output and Connections

9. Hardware Connections: Confirm that the monitor is connected correctly, and the input source is set properly.

10. Graphics Output: Since the CPU is Ryzen 5 3600X