After initial diagnostics and resource assignment, the startup BIOS program checks for secondary storage devices that contain the OS. The list of devices and the order they can be checked is found in the CMOS setup utility called:

After initial diagnostics and resource assignment, the startup BIOS program checks for secondary storage devices that contain the OS. The list of devices and the order they can be checked is found in the CMOS setup utility called:

• Boot sequence
• Power-on-self-test
• Boot record
• Partition table 

EXPLANATION

The order in which the devices are listed is the order in which your computer will look for operating system information — in other words, the "boot order." With the boot order shown above, BIOS will first try to boot from any devices it considers "hard drives," which usually means the integrated hard drive that's in the computer.

To boot from the Windows disc, the CD-ROM or disc drive must be before the hard drive in the boot sequence. Tip Computers that give an option for a Boot Menu can use the menu to select what boot device to use.