Bloody Hell, Black Ops 7 Wants You In The BIOS: A Survival Guide to Secure Boot & TPM
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Black Ops 7 is requiring PC players to enable Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 in their BIOS to combat cheating, a move that's a bit of a digital hurdle but promises a more secure online experience – in theory. I've broken down how to enable these settings, including a personal anecdote about a particularly chaotic restart.
Right then, gather 'round, mates. I've been staring at this bit of news for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, and honestly, it feels like Activision's just added a new boss fight before you even hit 'play.' Because, fair dinkum, if you're planning on diving into the Black Ops 7 beta on PC, you're going to need to enable Secure Boot and TPM 2.0.
Yeah, you heard me. We're not just talking about updating your drivers or clearing some cache. We're talking about delving into the mysterious, often terrifying depths of your PC's BIOS. It's the digital equivalent of being told your magical amulet won't work unless you first solve an ancient, cryptic riddle by a grumpy old wizard. Some of you might have these settings on by default – lucky sods – but for the rest of us, it's a bit of a trek. When you try to launch the game, you'll likely be met with a prompt, politely (or perhaps not so politely) demanding you sort this out.
Now, before we get into the 'how,' let's tackle the big 'why?' According to the intel Ford James dropped over at Polygon, which first brought this rather *unusual* pre-game ritual to my attention, Black Ops 7 – much like other upcoming multiplayer shooters, apparently even Battlefield 6 – is taking extra steps to fortify its online integrity. Essentially, Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 are supposed to make it significantly harder for those pesky cheaters to wreak havoc. On a local hardware level, they create a more secure environment, theoretically giving the anti-cheat systems an easier time sniffing out digital ne'er-do-wells.
In theory.
That little phrase is doing a lot of heavy lifting, isn't it? Because while the idea of fewer cheaters is a utopian dream we all cling to, forcing players to rummage around in their BIOS feels like a pretty drastic measure. Still, if it actually works, I reckon it's a sacrifice many will be willing to make.
### Diving into the Digital Underbelly: How to Enable Secure Boot and TPM 2.0
Alright, so you're ready to brave the BIOS? Good on ya. Just a heads-up: BIOS menus are about as consistent as a spell's outcome when I'm feeling particularly experimental. Every manufacturer has their own quirky layout, so while these instructions are general, you might need to do a bit of digital spelunking. Activision's even released a video guide, which I highly recommend watching first, but if you prefer the written word (or want a few more Jeff-isms), stick with me.
#### First, the Secure Boot Ritual:
1. **Enter the BIOS:** This is often the trickiest bit. Restart your PC and start mashing either `DEL`, `F2`, `F10`, or `ESC` like your life depends on it. One of them *should* get you in. (Occasionally, Windows' advanced startup options have a 'UEFI Firmware Settings' path, but don't count on it – it's a rare beast.) 2. **Find the Sacred Tab:** Once inside the BIOS, look for tabs or menus labelled 'Security,' 'Boot,' or 'Authentication.' This is where the magic happens. 3. **Enable Secure Boot:** Hunt down the 'Secure Boot' option and, well, enable it. You might hit a snag here – some systems will pop up a window asking you to add a 'Platform Key' or disable 'CSM (Compatibility Support Module) mode.' Just follow the on-screen instructions, mate. It's like deciphering an ancient runic inscription, only with less actual danger. 4. **Save and Reboot:** Save your changes (usually by pressing `F10` or navigating to an 'Exit' menu) and restart your Windows PC. Cross your fingers, say a little prayer to the digital gods, whatever works for you.
#### Next, The TPM 2.0 Incantation:
Once you're back from your first reboot, you'll need to go back into the BIOS for TPM 2.0. Yes, again. It's a two-stage enchantment.
1. **Return to the Labyrinth:** Repeat step 1 from the Secure Boot guide – restart and mash those keys until you're back in the BIOS. 2. **Locate the Trusted Module:** This time, you'll be looking for menus like 'Security,' 'Advanced,' or 'Trusted Computing.' Within one of those, you're searching for an option like 'TPM Device,' 'Security Device,' 'Intel PTT' (for Intel users), or 'AMD fTPM' (for AMD users). They're all different names for the same digital bouncer. 3. **Activate and Reboot:** Enable the relevant option, save your changes, and give your PC another restart. You're almost there!
### The 'Bloody Hell, My Screen's Gone Black' Moment (and How to Fix It)
Speaking of digital mishaps, let me tell you about my own little adventure with this. Picture this: I enabled both, restarted, and... nothing. Just a black screen, like my PC decided to take a permanent holiday and forgot to tell me. If this happens to you (and I sincerely hope it doesn't, because I seem to be uniquely cursed), don't panic. You likely need to perform a BIOS reset by resetting your CMOS battery.
This is the digital equivalent of smacking your magical device until it works. Locate the small, coin-shaped battery on your motherboard (it looks like a watch battery). Gently pop it out, wait a good five minutes to let any lingering digital spirits discharge, then pop it back in. Restart your PC, and with a bit of luck, your display will return, and you'll be able to get back into Windows. Apparently, I was just unlucky, as public channels aren't exactly overflowing with tales of this particular digital woe.
### The Bigger Picture: Is This the Future of Gaming Security?
So, what's the actual cost of this digital security guard? For some, it's a minor inconvenience – a quick dive into settings, and they're good to go. For others, particularly those with older rigs, less tech-savvy, or just a general aversion to fiddling with core system settings, it's a genuine hurdle. It raises questions about accessibility and whether these measures might inadvertently lock out parts of the player base.
This move by Activision – and other studios hinting at similar requirements – feels like a significant escalation in the ongoing arms race against cheaters. It’s a curious blend of necessity and friction. On one hand, fewer cheaters would genuinely improve the online experience for everyone. On the other, asking players to tinker with their BIOS for a game is a pretty big ask, and it sets a precedent. Will this become standard for all major multiplayer titles? Will older hardware struggle to keep up? These are the digital tea leaves we're left reading.
Ultimately, it shows studios are taking the cheating problem seriously, which is commendable. But whether these deeper hardware integrations will be the silver bullet they hope for, or just another layer of digital hoops for legitimate players to jump through, remains to be seen. Here's hoping it actually works, eh? Because diving into the BIOS for every new multiplayer title could get mighty tedious.
This dive into the digital entrails was inspired by Ford James' original piece over at Polygon, which first highlighted this rather... *unusual* pre-game ritual. Thanks for the heads-up, Ford!
Tags: Call of Duty, PC Gaming, Anti-Cheat, Hardware, Black Ops 7
Original article: Polygon