Configuring your BIOS

The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is used to find the device on which the operating system is located and starts it up. It is also used for the initial hardware configuration and hardware low-level access.

The appearance of plug'n'play devices and their widespread use means that all modern BIOSes can initialize these devices. In order for Linux to recognize plug'n'play devices, your BIOS must be configured to initialize them.

Changing your BIOS' settings is usually performed by holding down the Del key (some BIOSes use the F2, F10 or Esc keys instead of the Del one) right after the computer is switched on. Unfortunately, there are many types of BIOSes. Therefore you will have to look for the appropriate option by yourself. It is often called PNP OS installed (or Plug'n'Play OS installed). Set this option to No and the BIOS will then initialize any plug'n'play devices. That can help Linux recognize some devices in your machine, which it would not be able to initialize otherwise.

All recent systems can boot from a CD-ROM. Look for Boot sequence in the BIOS' features setup, and set the CD-ROM as the first boot device. If your system cannot boot from a CD-ROM you will have to use a floppy.

Note

If you want to use a parallel printer connected locally to your machine, make sure that the parallel port mode is set to ECP+EPP (or at least to one of ECP or EPP) and not to SPP, unless you have a really old printer. If the parallel port is not set this way you might still be able to print, but your printer will not be detected automatically and you will have to configure it by hand. Also make sure the printer is properly connected to your machine and powered on beforehand.