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randolphcarter
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Joined: Thu Sep 20, 2012 6:18 am

Can't change AMI BIOS boot order

Thu Sep 20, 2012 6:40 am

Hi,
first post here, long time lurker. G'day everyone.

I've got a problem I can't seem to fix with a bunch of Googling, can anyone help me out?
I need to boot from a CD to install Linux on my work PC with Vista ( :o ), but it goes straight to HDD boot and I can't change it.

The machine has this Biostar mobo which has an AMI BIOS.
http://www.biostar.com.tw/app/en/mb/int ... p?S_ID=363

When I go in to the BIOS there is a boot order menu but when I go to change it I just get a dialog with "this is a view only item".
In fact I get that when I try to change anything in the BIOS.

The BIOS asks for a password on entry but I haven't set one up so just left it blank and it let me in.
It's not a branded PC but it was pre-built by a retailer so it's possible they put a password on it.
Does anyone know if AMI BIOSes behave like that? ie the "view only" mode is because it has a password on it.
If so I should be able to reset it by taking the battery out, right?
 
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Re: Can't change AMI BIOS boot order

Thu Sep 20, 2012 9:39 am

Yeah, sounds like the BIOS has been password protected. If you don't enter the supervisor password it won't let you change stuff.

I think you're going to either have to call the vendor to get the supervisor password, or clear the CMOS.
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