devolder@matt.ksu.ksu.edu (Eric DeVolder) (12/12/90)
Hello all. I have a simple question. Is it possible to make a model 30 boot from the hard drive first instead of the a: drive? Are there dip switches somewhere that do that, or does this require going in and changing the BIOS? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Eric
teexmmo@ioe.lon.ac.uk (Matthew Moore) (12/14/90)
In article <1990Dec11.185227.17027@maverick.ksu.ksu.edu> devolder@matt.ksu.ksu.edu (Eric DeVolder) writes: >Hello all. I have a simple question. Is it possible to make a model 30 >boot from the hard drive first instead of the a: drive? Are there dip >switches somewhere that do that, or does this require going in and changing >the BIOS? Unless there is something terribly different about the model 30, the answer is the same for any PS/2 or PC which has a hard disk. When you boot up, the ROM bootstrap examines the floppy drive first, and then the hard drive, for the system files to boot from. If it finds them on the floppy, it will boot from that, if not, it will look at the hard drive, and boot from that, if possible. So to boot from your hard disk, you may get away with simply removing your boot floppy; if you then get a 'non system disk' error message, your hard disk has not been set up with the system files on it. How to put the system files on your hard disk? Under DOS 4, use the 'sys' command to copy them from your boot disk, and then copy command.com to the root directory of the hard disk. Under earlier versions of DOS, FIRST backup your files, then FORMAT c: /s (then restore your backed up files). (This recipe should do it. - I will be away for a while, so any comments should be emailed to be sure of reaching me).
bank@lea.ncsu.edu (Dave The DM) (12/16/90)
In article <1990Dec11.185227.17027@maverick.ksu.ksu.edu> devolder@matt.ksu.ksu.edu (Eric DeVolder) writes: >Hello all. I have a simple question. Is it possible to make a model 30 >boot from the hard drive first instead of the a: drive? Are there dip >switches somewhere that do that, or does this require going in and changing >the BIOS? > >Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. > >Eric Before I answer your question, I want to ask one. WHY?? When the computer fails to find a bootable diskette in the floppy drive, it'll go to the hard drive automatically, so why bother?? What you want to do will require a change in BIOS. No, there's no DIP switches to control this (never have been...it's ALWAYS been in BIOS). You'll have to dis-assemble your BIOS code, figure out where the change needs to be made, pull the appropriate chip(s), and burn in the patch. You're a fool if you try it (just MHO). Also, if you do this and your hard drive EVER fails, you're shafted until you can put the BIOS back the way it was. Or until you replace the hard drive with an already prepped HD (which still won't let you do data recovery on your original drive). The idea really isn't too bright, to be frank. There's GOTTA be an easier, safer, and more effective way to do whatever it is what you're trying to do. Really, there has to be. Dave the DM bank@lea.csc.ncsu.edu