Since 2010, all the fancy-schmancy new motherboards have been rolling out with the UEFI BIOS, kind of like the souped-up version of the regular old BIOS we’ve been used to. It’s like BIOS on steroids, making booting up faster and smoother with its snazzy features and improved compatibility.

But wait for it, the CMOS BIOS Setup is ancient compared to this new kid on the block. It goes way back—I’m talking 1975 when Gary Kildall first introduced it. Finally hit the big time in IBM’s personal computer in 1981.

And that’s exactly why I emphasized ‘OLD‘ and ‘CMOS BIOS‘ in the title.

If you happen to have snagged a laptop or desktop after 2010, then this suggested article is your golden ticket to understanding the Boot Sequence / Order / Priority Configuration of UEFI BIOS.

Here you can see the difference between UEFI and CMOS BIOS;

difference between CMOS BIOS and UEFITypically, tweaking the boot sequence comes in handy when you’re gearing up to install an operating system or utilize Bootable Utility Tools or a Live Operating System.

But before diving into the BIOS boot setup, let’s get cozy with the term “Boot”.

In tech lingo, “Boot” or “Booting” essentially means the startup process.

When you press the power button on your computer, you’re essentially completing a circuit on the motherboard. This action prompts the Power Supply Unit to kick in and provide power to all your hardware components, including the BIOS Chip housing the BIOS Firmware.

Soon after, you’ll catch sight of the initial Logo or what we tech folks call the POST (Power-On Self-Test) Screen popping up on your display, something akin to the image shown below:

first Logo POST (Power-On Self-Test) screen

Once done, the BIOS will initiate the booting process from the designated bootable device listed at the top of the boot configuration. Typically, this is your primary SSD or HDD. After a brief moment, you’ll witness your Operating System kick into gear, signaling the completion of the entire booting sequence.

Booting is the crucial phase sandwiched between the ‘Powering ON’ and ‘Loading the Operating System’ of your computer, and that’s precisely where the ‘Boot Sequence’ proves its worth.

The ‘Boot Sequence’ refers to your BIOS’s internal setup, dictating the order in which devices are booted—whether it’s the first, second, or last in line.

It’s wise to comprehend and manage this configuration yourself; otherwise, the BIOS might automatically revert to default settings, leading to booting from the first SATA-connected storage device to load the operating system.

It’s essential to get this right; incorrect configurations can trigger boot-related errors during the booting process. Among the most prevalent is the notorious Error – Reboot and Select Proper Boot Device.

Reboot and Select Proper Boot Device error

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If you’re utilizing this setting to install an OS, ensure you possess a legitimate bootable flash drive or disc, and not merely one with just setup files copied onto it. It’s crucial to grasp that the BIOS will initiate booting from your storage device only if it detects correctly allocated bootable files, not solely the OS setup.

Typically, this configuration remains unchanged if you don’t intend to boot from anything else.

However, there are cases where the computer might not boot the OS during the next startup if someone connects an external storage drive to the USB and intends to keep it plugged in permanently. This situation arises only when the 1st boot priority is already set to ‘Removal Storage’ or ‘External Hard Drive’.

#Let’s See How To Change/Manage The Boot Priority

To modify the boot configuration, you’ll need to access the BIOS Setup. However, this might be a bit tricky for some, but fear not; I’ll simplify the process for you.

But first, did you know?

If you’re altering the boot configuration just for the OS installation (where you only need to boot from the setup drive once, and the setup takes care of the rest), or if you want to boot a Bootable Utility Tool temporarily, you can bypass the hassle of configuring the entire boot sequence. How? By using a nifty BIOS feature called the ‘Boot Menu’.

The ‘Boot Menu’ offers a way to swiftly and directly boot from any bootable storage device connected to your computer, whether it’s a Flash Drive or a Disc. It enables you to boot from any device just for a single use, skipping the need to adhere to the pre-configured boot priority.

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Step 1 – Entering In BIOS

To enter your computer’s BIOS, you’ll need to press a specific keyboard key, usually displayed on the initial boot screen. Pressing this key quickly grants direct access to the BIOS Setup.

Just follow the steps given below:

  • Start your desktop or laptop. If it’s already powered ON, you’ll need to restart it.
  • Quickly glance at your PC’s ‘First Boot Screen’ to locate the designated keyboard key for accessing the BIOS Setup.
  • This key varies based on your computer’s motherboard’s BIOS brand. It could be the Esc, F1, F2, Del, or any other function keys specified by the manufacturer.
  • Sometimes tapping the BIOS key once might not work; try tapping it multiple times rapidly works like a charm.
  • If your first boot screen only displays the Manufacturer’s Logo without indicating the BIOS key, try pressing each function key from Esc to F12 individually. Tap each key quickly multiple times to determine the correct access key.
  • Keep in mind that the appearance of the BIOS menu can vary depending on the firmware manufacturer.

Here are some different Types Of CMOS Setup Utility Menu:

Award BIOS setup utility main page

phoenix bios setupBIOS main page dell old laptop-min

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Step 2 – Finding The Boot Setting

Once you’ve successfully entered the BIOS menu, you’ll encounter various administrative options and information about all the connected hardware.

Older BIOS Menu doesnt support mouse input like UEFI, the only option is to use your keyboard to make any changes. 

Among the multitude of options, you’ll need to locate the one labeled “Boot Priority”, “Boot Setting”, “Boot Sequence”, or any similar option related to boot configurations.

Here are some example screenshots:

BIOS advance features menu

Step 3 – Change The Boot Order

Before tinkering with the boot order, it’s crucial to ensure that the “SATA Mode Configuration” is set correctly.

Look for options like ‘SATA Mode’, ‘Onboard SATA/IDE Ctrl’, ‘PCH SATA Control Mode’, or similar terms listed on the Boot menu page. It’s vital to align this setting with the operating system you intend to install. A correct configuration can even allow you to install the latest Windows OS on your older desktop or laptop.

Here are some screenshots:

ahci-vs-ide sata configuration

SATA has backward compatibility and that’s why there are two modes to choose from, AHCI and IDE.

  • AHCI Mode (Advanced Host Controller Interface) is a much faster option compared to IDE. It’s the best choice, especially if you’re installing the latest operating system like ‘Windows 7 or Windows 10‘ on your computer.
  • IDE Mode (Integrated Drive Electronics) comes in handy primarily when using older bootable software like DBAN or booting an older version of a live operating system.

Once you’ve configured the SATA Mode, it’s time to prioritize the boot sequence. Adjust this setting based on the storage device you currently need to boot from.

You have the flexibility to designate any device (USB Drive, DVD-RW, or External-HDD) as the first boot option, and the computer will boot from that connected device each time it starts up.

Important Note: If you’ve used a USB or DVD as the ‘First Boot Device’ for booting, remember to switch back your primary HDD/SSD to the ‘First Boot Device’ for a smooth OS startup the next time.

BIOS advance features menu

Note: Once you’ve finished configuring the boot sequence setting, it’s crucial not to simply restart the computer. You must ensure to save the entire setup by using the ‘save’ option when exiting the BIOS. This action preserves the changes you’ve made in the settings.

You can utilize the F10 key directly to save the settings without having to navigate through the exit page. This shortcut allows you to promptly save the changes made in the BIOS setup.





#What To Do, If You’re Having Some Problem While Boot Something;😱

  • BIOS won’t save changes: If you encounter issues where the BIOS isn’t saving changes, it’s highly likely that your BIOS’s CMOS Battery has died. This could prevent your BIOS Chip from retaining settings. To confirm that the battery is dead, check that your computer’s clock is functioning correctly. If it’s not keeping accurate time after the next computer startup, then it’s most likely discharged.

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  • Flash drive isnt able to boot If you’re facing this issue, it’s possible that the software you’re using to make your drive bootable isn’t compatible with your computer’s BIOS version. To resolve this, consider using alternative boot transfer software such as Rufus, Yumi, or WinToFlash. These programs might offer better compatibility with your BIOS and resolve the problem you’re encountering.

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If your flash drive still doesn’t boot despite setting it as the first boot device, it’s possible that your BIOS is recognizing the connected flash drive as an ‘External USB Hard Drive’.

To resolve this, revert the First Boot Priority to the hard disk drive and navigate to another BIOS setting named “Hard Drive Priority” or “Hard Disk Boot Priority”. You can find this setting as illustrated in the picture below:

  • If HDD/SSD/Optical Drive is not listed in BIOS – In that case, one possible solution is to try changing the SATA/IDE cable connected to that drive. However, it’s essential to note that most laptops don’t utilize SATA or IDE cables. If that’s the case, testing the drive on a different system can help determine if the issue lies with the drive itself.

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