This section is intended to teach the basics for changing your server's BIOS settings to allow it to boot from your CD-ROM or USB mass storage device.

BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) contains the code first run by a computer when powered on. The primary function of BIOS is to load and start an Operating System (OS). However, what happens when you want to install a new OS like ClearOS? In most cases, you'll need to configure your computer's BIOS to boot from a media device other than the system's hard disk which likely is either formatted or contains an OS (cough, Windows, cough) that you wish to replace.

There are a number of vendors that provide BIOS firmware. Every vendor has a similar, but not identical, mechanism for:

1. accessing the BIOS configuration on boot
2. providing a User Interface to make changes to the BIOS configuration

1. Power up the computer/server.
2. Press the Del (Delete) key during the power on self test (immediately after the computer starts).
3. You should now see the main menu of the BIOS configuration utility.
4. Using the arrow keys or tab key, navigate to the Boot menu.
5. Under the Boot section, you should now see specific options relating to the boot-up of your computer. The first section (device sequence) is the one you are interested in changing.
6. Using your arrow keys, scroll down until you have highlighted your CD-ROM drive. Hit the plus (+) key repeatedly until you have moved your CD-ROM to the first boot device.
7. Hit F10 to Save and Exit.

Your system should now boot from the CD-ROM. If you have Burnt your ClearOS ISO correctly, your computer should boot into the first stage of the ClearOS installation wizard.

BIOS - Wikipedia Entry