How Do You Change Which Disk Is Your Primary Boot Disk?

By default, your computer considers your primary boot disk to be your main hard drive. This is the drive that contains your operating system. When you start your computer, your machine will automatically load from that drive. You can easily change which disk is considered your primary boot disk, however, using a program called the BIOS. Short for "basic input/output system," the BIOS is the main setup program on any computer, no matter who manufactured it or where it was purchased.

Instructions

1. Restart your computer.

2. Press the keyboard key that you need to press to enter your computer's BIOS. This key will be different depending on what type of computer you have. It is often one of the "F" keys--F2 or F12, for example. Check the list in References for a list of computer makers and the key to access their computer's BIOS.

3. Once you have entered your computer's BIOS, highlight "Boot" and hit "Enter."

4. Highlight "Primary Boot Disk" and hit "Enter." Select the name of the new hardware device you want to use as your primary boot disk from the list available. Then, hit "Enter" again.

5. Highlight "Save and Exit" and hit "Enter." Your computer will restart, using the device you specified in Step 4 as your primary boot disk.

References

• MichaelStevensTech.com: BIOS Manufacturer