for randy_ca....booting from main hard drive

17 years ago

This is a follow up from a previous post about my added Seagate ext HD. I see that I get to my BIOS by pressing F8 and that takes me to the screen where I can enter Safe Mode, etc. There is a choice there called "enable boot logs". Is that where I get to the place to tell the OS that I want it to boot from the main hard drive and not my new external drive that is on a usb port? As you can tell, I don't know enough to be very adventurous in exploring that menu. Thanks!

Pam

>>>>>>>>>>>>>"You're going to need to do the F1 setup to enter the BIOS.

What's happening is the computer is trying to boot from the external.

In the BIOS under Boot, set it so the main HD is the first boot device, or the DVD/CD ROM can be first and the main HD second, that won't matter as long as the main HD is set to boot before any other drives or usb drives.>>>

Bios are made by different mfgs, so can't give you exact wording, but under BOOT or Main you'll find something about boot order.

I have one machine that boots with Flash Drives and External Drives, another that won't, no matter what I've enabled in the bios.

So on the one machine that won't boot with flash drives or external drives, I just unplug them, boot - then plug them back in.

Isn't is great to have a 1TB external though."

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Comments (8)

bpgreen
17 years ago
That's not the BIOS. That's the boot option menu in Windows. The BIOS is earlier than that.

Depending on your PC, you may need to hit F1, F2, ESC or some other key BEFORE the windows boot process starts. There is usually a message that displays along hte bottom of the screen telling you which key to press, but you also usually have a short time to press it (if I have to read it, I usually miss my chance and have to reboot).
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
17 years ago
I just start tapping the key repeatedly immediately as it begins the boot up process to catch it.
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randy_ca
17 years ago
On your HP it's F1 for the BIOS and setup.
Press it right at the beginning of the boot process.
pfmastin
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks everyone...I got there! :)...but didn't make any changes since I didn't know which one to choose. Here are my choices:

1. 1st Floppy Drive
2. SM-HP DVD Write
3. PM-ST32008228

CD Rom Drive

Which do I choose? I don't know what #3 is...I googled PM-ST32008228 and didn't get anything. Thank you!
Pam
DA_Mccoy
17 years ago
I, like perhaps other members, didn't have a clue as to what the original thread contained. After doing a search with the engine provided on the homepage I found it on page three.

You might want to consider putting update posts on the original thread. When it pops to the top members know there is new information. It sure does help assisting with answers and learning from others.

I took the liberty of tagging the original thread below.

DA

Here is a link that might be useful: Original Thread
randy_ca
17 years ago
Your boot order looks fine.
#3 is your main harddrive, most likely a Seagate St3200 822A

I know I don't have any settings for USB in mine, so I just have the external unplugged during bootup.

I'm happy to have a 1TB external drive to store stuff even though mine doesn't have a power switch.

If anybody wants to know, the BIOS is the Basic Input/Output System on your motherboard, kind of a scary place at first, fortunately you can exit without saving any changes.
pfmastin
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks for your advice, randy_ca. I've learned a lot from all of you. I'll just do the unplug and plug thing then as you do. Yes, I do see the ST32008228 under the Drive Information in Belarc now.

Again, thanks so much!
Pam
pfmastin
Original Author
17 years ago
Thank you, damccoy. I thought since my message was directed to a specific person that I could open another thread. I'll keep your advice in mind.
Pam

for randy_ca....booting from main hard drive

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bpgreen

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for randy_ca....booting from main hard drive

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