On a new Win 8 laptop I can't boot from a USB flash drive or even a CD unless I turn off secure boot in the BIOS? This surely can't be progress?
Secure boot has nothing to do with going into your BIOS and changing your start up device. Secure boot is initialized when starting up Windows 8
Hmmmm the new Win 8 Laptop I'm looking at won't offer any other devices in the boot menu apart from the Win 8 system HD unless secure boot is disabled.
Your BIOS is the VERY first thing to boot into after your computer passes its P.O.S.T. You boot Windows 8 after your computer passes its P.O.S.T. and BIOS options.
Sorry the boot menu does show but just won't offer "any" other devices (CD Flash Drive etc) in the boot menu apart from the Win 8 system HD unless secure boot is disabled.
I think it can, but only to an EFI device. disabling SecureBoot probably enables "legacy" bios boot options. If you try to boot a DVD or USB Flash drive which is EFI bootable (e.g Win8 Install), it should work.
It's probably got fast boot features enabled so usb is only partially initialised for keyboard/mouse and no optical. things like card reader & usb keys etc won't be seen until your in your OS...
If he has Fastboot enabled he doesn't even see anything, it's instantly loading Windows when you enable Fastboot.
Nope, you can also enter BIOS config interface even if Fastboot is enabled. After your modify some settings in BIOS, the system will do a full shutdown first....(At least for HP laptops)
As long as you fully shut down your computer and then remove your battery, fastboot should not be a problem. I would know because I my self have an HP ENVY 17 and even without taking the battery out I can strike esc to go right into my BIOS setup menu.
Windows 8 is shipped with legacy disabled as default. so if you want to boot from a non-efi bootable media, just enable legacy support in BIOS.
Yes, that's working as design for HP Laptops. you don't need to take your battery out. just hit the hot key during POST.