Dear Miguel:
Thank you so very much for trying to help. My answers below:
Miguel Lopes Santos Ramos wrote:
From: Benjamin Sher <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Can't boot into setup to install FreeBSD 6
Dear friends:
Just downloaded the two FreeBSD CD's from the web and I would like to
install them on my second hard drive. But I've discovered that I cannot
boot up into my Setup (F2, as clearly indicated on my Dell 8200
Dimension during bootup). I have never had this kind of problem before.
I have two 40GB hard drives and wanted to install Linux into my second
hard drive, but to do this I have to be able to go into my Bios and
change the boot sequence. I have done this several times before with the
same computer and the same Win XP OS. But now there is something wrong.
In fact, I even tried to insert my Windows XP CD and tried to click on
F2. But, once again, all that happened is that I was taken immediately
to Windows XP. How do I regain entry to my Setup?
One last thing: I searched for the boot.ini file (making sure that the
search included all hidden and system files). It's under C:\boot.ini
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
I called Dell and asked for their help. Unfortunately, they are now
charging $99 per incident, which is way beyond what I and my family
(being Katrina refugees) can afford. But they did let me explain the
problem, and the lady said that in her opinion this is a software issue.
I tend to agree since I have never had a single hardware problem with my
Dell computer in the six years I have had it. If so, may I ask if
someone on the FreeBSD list would be kind enough to help me resolve
this. We would very much appreciate it.
Thank you so much.
Benjamin Sher
865-690-3898
I think this is a bit off-topic on this list, but of course I'd like to help.
I don't think this can be a 'software issue', this must be the BIOS (firmware).
1- Did you change your keyboard, or is your keyboard not well connected?
I once had a keyboard which had a long reset time and sometimes was not
detected. Try different keyboards, check the plugs.
First, my thanks for explaining that this is a BIOS issue. Does this
mean that it is a HARDWARE issue?
I did change my keyboard some months ago. I changed my keyboard from a
Belkin ergonomic keyboard to a Microsoft ergonomic keyboard when I
arrived in Knoxville. But I had this problem before in New Orleans with
my old keyboard. The Setup got jammed sometimes last fall for some
inexplicable reason and has never worked right since.
2- Are you pressing F2 at the right time? Try keeping F2 pressed as soon as
you power on, keep it pressed.
Believe me, I press F2 the moment boot starts and keep hitting it
throughout the boot process. On the other hand, I can stop the boot
process with F12.
3- Did you update your BIOS?
I don't think removing the CMOS battery can help in this case. Your problem
seems surreal.
No, I have not updated my BIOS since I purchased the Dell.
Thank you again.
Benjamin
Miguel
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