[PLUG] BIOS settings changing without user input on new laptop

[Greg Helledy <gregsonh@gra-inc.com>]

My new Dell Inspiron laptop has developed a very odd problem.  I finally 
got the OS I wanted (MX linux) installed properly on a replacement SSD, 
but now every time I turn it on it doesn't boot.  The reason is that the 
default boot device in BIOS has been changed to "Diskette Drive", which 
of course the laptop doesn't have.  If at boot I hit F12 to bring up a 
boot menu, I'll see "Diskette Drive" as the default, and if I choose 
Hard Drive instead, it boots normally.  If I hit F2 to go into BIOS, I 
can change it to Hard Drive, and then save and exit, and it will boot 
normally.  But as soon as the laptop is powered off, BIOS is reverted to 
"Diskette Drive" as the default boot device.  Also, the Fast Boot option 
is changed to Enabled, after being saved as Disabled.

To be clear, the system came with UEFI boot enabled, I disabled that
> Boot List Option:  Legacy (other choice is UEFI)
>
> Secure Boot: Disabled
>
> Load Legacy Option ROM: Enabled

Anyone ever heard of anything like this?  What would I do next, open the 
box up again and switch the SSDs back to try booting the factory Win10 
install?  Boot off a USB stick?  Can the OS change BIOS settings without 
me being able to tell anything's happening (IOW, should I suspect the 
linux install, or does this have to be a BIOS problem)?

--
Greg Helledy
GRA, Incorporated
P:  +1 215-884-7500
F:  +1 215-884-1385
www.gra.aero
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