Boot Sequence

How to get the CDROM to boot first

[justa]

I'm setting up a test server at work using old bits and pieces from past home pc's.

I want to install NT4.0 server as the O/S but I have it on CD, and it only installs when booting up.

I've gone into the BIOS and tried to change the boot sequence but the CD Rom doesn't appear, only the Floppy disk and HD. I've changed the jumper on the CD from Master to Slave to Cabel Select and re booted each time with no luck.

I checked the HD and instead of having 4 or 6 pins for the jumper I could only see 3, and no jumper was visible. It is an old machine, bought in late 95.

Does anyone know a fix to this problem? I just need the CD to boot before the HD.

[Key_Master]

I would guess the CDROM drive needs the software drivers installed before it can work. This means that the hard drive or floppy drive would need to boot first in order to load them.

But, it's just a guess...

[justa]

But when the HD boots first it slips straight into win95 OS. I need the CD to be read before the O/S starts up.

I know with my new machine I can boot first from CD, if nothing there it skips to floppy, and then to the HD.

A friend suggested I download a more recent BIOS, but I always thought the BIOS was basically burnt into the CPU with 00001111's.

[mole]

NT4 was originally supplied on CD + 3 x FDs.

You can install it by booting from the floppy #1.

If you haven't got the floppies, boot whatever OS you've got on your HD & browse the CD for info on how to make a new set of floppies.
(Sorry I can't remember the syntax from memory, it's a long time since I had a problem like this).

Simon

[diddlydazz]

you can update a flashbios

but be careful when doing it ;)

Dazz