4. Appendix: Changing a PC's Boot Order in the BIOS
When you work with PCC to convert a PC computer into a Linux Workstation, you may need to change how the PC boots up. Normally, the PC will boot into Microsoft Windows. You might need to change the settings on your PC so it boots from the Linux network before it gets to the Microsoft Windows system on your PC's hard drive.
 | PCC will help walk you through this process, but if you (or your local computer expert) are converting several dozen PCs, you might want to know how to do this yourself. |
Follow this procedure to make network booting first in your PC's "boot order":
Turn On Your PC
Have you ever noticed the messages that pop up on the screen as soon as you turn on your PC? These messages tell you a key combination you can press to enter "Setup" or the "BIOS." Watch your screen and see if you can read what keys to press.
Press the Keys to Enter Setup Mode
If you did not see a message telling you what keys to press, try tapping the following possibilities as you turn on the machine:
Esc
F2
F12
F10
F1
After pressing Esc or other key, you will most likely see instructions telling you how to enter "Setup Mode". Follow those instructions.
On some computers, you must hold down the key before you press the power button to turn on the computer. For example, if you are converting a Toshiba laptop to a Linux Workstation, you must hold down the Esc key and then press the power button. The computer then asks you to press F1, and you can then set the "Boot Priority."
Using the Arrow Keys, Choose the "Boot," "Boot Order," or "Boot Priority" Option
The menu of choices you see will be different for different kinds of computers. Remember that the choice you want is the "Boot" order or "Boot Priority." On some computers, this is called the "Start Up Options" or "Start Up Sequences." You are going to change where the PC will look for boot information when it starts up.
Set the Boot Order So the Network (LAN) is First
Using the instructions on the screen, set the boot order so the PC will look to the network, sometimes called "LAN", or "PXE," first.
If you can set the rest of the order, PCC recommends the following:
Network Boot (sometimes called LAN or PXE)
Floppy Disk (sometimes called FDD)
CD-ROM
Hard Drive (sometimes called HDD)
If you can't control the exact order, don't worry. Just make certain that the Network option is first. For example, on some computers you will be able to set "LAN->CD-ROM->FDD->HDD", which would then boot from the network, the CD-ROM, the floppy drive, and finally the hard drive.
On a some PCs, "Boot From Network" must first be "Enabled" before you will see it in the list of options when you set the "Boot Priority." Follow the instructions on the screen to "Enable," network booting, then reboot the PC into the BIOS again and set the priority.
Save Your Settings and Reboot Your PC
Using the instructions on the screen, save your settings and start up your PC. You may not notice any difference yet, but the PC is now looking to the network first so it can become a Linux terminal workstation.