MultiBoot Document Part Number: 405530-001 January 2006
Contents 1 Default boot device order 2 Enabling boot devices in Computer Setup 3 Boot order change considerations 4 MultiBoot preferences Setting a new default boot order in Computer Setup . . . . Dynamically choosing a boot device using the f9 prompt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Setting a MultiBoot Express prompt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Entering MultiBoot Express preferences. . . . . . . . . .
1 Default boot device order As the computer starts, the system attempts to boot from enabled boot devices. The MultiBoot utility, which is enabled by default, controls the order in which the system selects a boot device. Boot devices can include optical drives, diskette drives, a network interface card (NIC), hard drives, or USB devices. Boot devices contain bootable media or files that the computer needs to start and operate properly.
Default boot device order You can change the order in which the computer searches for a boot device by changing the boot order in Computer Setup. You can also press f9 while the “F9 = Boot device menu” message is displayed in the lower-left corner of the screen when the computer starts up. Pressing f9 displays a menu that shows the current boot devices and allows you to select a boot device.
Default boot device order ■ Default boot order for drive C boot devices: 1. Optical drive in an optional docking device or in an optional external MultiBay that contains a disc formatted as drive C. 2. Optical drive in the internal MultiBay (select models only) that contains a disc formatted as drive C. 3. Hard drive in the computer hard drive bay. 4. Hard drive in an optional docking device or in an optional external MultiBay.
2 Enabling boot devices in Computer Setup The computer will boot to a USB device or a NIC device only if the device has first been enabled in Computer Setup. To enable a USB device or a NIC device as a boot device: 1. Open Computer Setup by turning on or restarting the computer, and then pressing f10 while the “F10 = ROM Based Setup” message is displayed in the lower-left corner of the screen. 2.
Enabling boot devices in Computer Setup 3. To save your preferences and exit Computer Setup, use the arrow keys to select File > Save changes and exit. Then follow the instructions on the screen. Your preferences go into effect when the computer restarts. connect a NIC to a Preboot eXecution Environment (PXE) ✎ Toor Remote Program Load (RPL) server without using MultiBoot, quickly press f12 when the “Network Service Boot” message appears in the lower-right corner of the screen (select models only).
3 Boot order change considerations Before changing the boot order, consider the following: ■ When the computer restarts after the boot order has been changed, the computer attempts to start using the new boot order. ■ If there is more than one type of boot device, the computer attempts to boot using the first of each type of boot device (except for optical devices).
Boot order change considerations 3–2 ■ Changing the boot order also changes the logical drive designations. For example, if you start up from a CD-ROM drive with a disc formatted as drive C, that CD-ROM drive becomes drive C and the hard drive in the hard drive bay becomes drive D. ■ The computer will boot from a NIC device only if the device has first been enabled in the Device security menu of Computer Setup.
4 MultiBoot preferences Using MultiBoot, you can ■ Set a new default boot order that the computer uses each time it is turned on, by changing the boot order in Computer Setup. ■ Dynamically choose the boot device by pressing f9 while the “F9 = Boot device menu” message is displayed in the lower-left corner of the screen when the computer starts up. ■ Use MultiBoot Express to set variable boot orders. This feature prompts you for a boot device each time the computer is turned on or restarted.
MultiBoot preferences Setting a new default boot order in Computer Setup To set a boot device order that the computer uses each time it is turned on or restarted: 1. Open Computer Setup by turning on or restarting the computer, and then pressing f10 while the “F10 = ROM Based Setup” message is displayed in the lower-left corner of the screen. 2. Use the arrow keys to select System Configuration > Boot Options, and then press enter. 3. Use the arrow keys to select Enable in the MultiBoot field. 4.
MultiBoot preferences Setting a MultiBoot Express prompt To set the computer to display the MultiBoot startup location menu each time the computer is started or restarted: 1. Open Computer Setup by turning on or restarting the computer, and then pressing f10 while the “F10 = ROM Based Setup” message is displayed in the lower-left corner of the screen. 2. Use the arrow keys to select System Configuration > Boot Options, and then press enter. 3.
© Copyright 2006 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.
