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BIOS problem

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Bozz

Programmer
Jun 30, 2002
287
GB
Does anybody know if to boot device list for the BIOS is resetable in any other way than than by clearing the CMOS in a PhoenixBIOS system?

Ian Boys
DTE Systems Ltd
 
Can you clarify please? Do you mean can you change the order of devices which the bios will try to boot from (eg, from floppy, C Drive to CD ROM, C Drive)?
 
You just reset the order in the bios and save when you exit.
Put whatever you want to boot from first but just remeber to choose the save and exit when quiting.
No need to clear cmos.
Martin

We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.
 
This is a very specific question. Boot devices have gone from the list and will not reappear, even after resetting the BIOS. The devices didn't fail, I stupidly managed to delete them from the list and I can't get them back. Clearing the CMOS by disconnecting the battery or setting it back to defaults does not bring them back. Curiously, changing things such as the order of devices, or at least device headings survives even if you say that you don't want to save the data and reboot. For the above reasons it seems that the data may be stored differently.

Ian Boys
DTE Systems Ltd
 
'I stupidly managed to delete them from the list'

You did this in bios settings!

Can you give some examples of what you mean - it doesn't make any sense to me.
 
Bozz,

"Boot devices have gone from the list and will not reappear, even after resetting the BIOS".

Does the word 'NONE' appear for each device? If so, you need to change it to 'AUTO' using the space bar or arrow keys (can't remember which) and then press enter and it should re-detect the device (if it is cabled correctly and functioning).

 
OK, lets try again. All the devices are detected by the BIOS and are OK. It's absolutely NOT a device detection issue, they are there. It's purely in the Boot selection area. There is an option, Shift 1 to toggle the devices on/off. While doing that, trying to get the floppy as first boot device I have managed to loose them, they do not appear on the list any more. They are in the device section of the BIOS, but NOT the boot section. Clear the CMOS and all the devices are detected OK, but they do not appear in the Boot section.

I know it sounds weird, but it's true. You shouldn't be able to do this, but I have.


Ian Boys
DTE Systems Ltd
 
Joy of Joys! Solved.

I had to set the HDD from Auto to None, save the settings, re-boot, set it back to auto, save the settings, re-boot, then when you go back in it's there.

Many many thanks for all who tried to help.

Ian Boys
DTE Systems Ltd
 
Bozz,
Thank you for replying back with the solution. That is strange and one to make a note of.
 
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