How to Change a System BIOS Setting From Secondary Disc to Primary Boot Disc
The basic input/output system, or BIOS, is software that makes your computer work when you turn it on. Permanently installed on a read-only memory (ROM) chip, it contains all the code that is needed to control keyboard, monitor, disk drives and serial communication devices. All the hardware attached to the motherboard can be configured by accessing the BIOS.
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Instructions
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Start your computer and pay attention to the first screens. You will see a message that tells you to use either the "Delete" or "F2" key to access the BIOS. Keep tapping the designated key until the BIOS screen appears. If your computer goes through a normal boot, shut it down and repeat the process until the BIOS setup is launched.
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With the BIOS utility launched, use the arrow keys on your keyboard to navigate to the "Boot" screen of the program. On this screen you will see all of the drive devices connected to the motherboard of the computer. Again use the arrow keys, in this instance the up and down arrows, to navigate to the boot drive of your computer.
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Following the directions on the BIOS screen (there are different steps for some versions), change the boot priority order to first access the primary boot drive. When that is done, follow the screen directions to save the change and exit the BIOS program. Generally this is accomplished by pressing the "F10" key. A window should open asking you to confirm the selection. Use the left/right arrow keys to select "Yes" and press "Return." Your computer will reboot and launch your operating system from the primary drive.
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Tips & Warnings
Back up your PC before working with BIOS settings.
Read the information presented on the monitor carefully when working with BIOS software. Make notes of settings before you change them.
References
- "How Computers Work," Don White 2007
- "Computers 101," Jose Damien 2005
- "Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier Edition 1," Adrian Wong 2004
