Thinkpads Forum

I have a Thinkpad 600X but no instruction manual.
I need to change the Boot sequence and can get to the boot set up but I cannot work out how to change the sequence.

Currently it is FD HD CD, I need to get the CD to be the first Boot device.
I have tried all the key combinations I can think of without success.
Can anyone help ?

Firstly, get into the BIOS, to the part where you select the boot device...

Then, (using the 'arrow' keys to move the cursor up and down) when you arrive at the first value try hitting 'enter' and you should see a small menu of the available boot devices - use the 'arrow' keys to navigate to the device you want first, then hit 'enter' again...

Let us know how you get on - I don't actually know anything about computers - I'm only here 'cos this forum is warmer...

Ian,
thanks for your help, you were right - "you don't know anything about computers" !!
Unforunately your advice didn't work.

I can get to two locations which show the boot sequence - the F12 screen which lists the boot sequence and a boot screen within 'set up'.

Does anyone else have any ideas ?

You should be able to set your boot sequence from the BIOS, as Ian suggests. On my 600X, if you hold the F1 key on start up, you get to the Easy Setup/BIOS screen. If this is what you mean by the boot screen within 'set up' then it should be pretty self explanatory. Use the trackpoint to move the bird pointer. Click Start Up. Click Power On. Click Reset. Then select the boot items from the boxes below to put in the empty numbered boxes at the top -- 1 is the first boot device, 4 is the last.

I don't know if you can do this using the keyboard only.

Phil.

You see, I was right - I don't know anything about computers !

Sadly I was giving info for more recent BIOS mods and I'd completely forgotten the graphics etc. on the 600 series machines - please accept my most humble apologies - and try what PKIFF suggests...

I wish someone would close that b****y door...

pkiff,
thanks for your help, i can get to the 'Start Up, Power On' stage. I then get the screen with 'Reset' but when I click this I just go back one level. I assume that 'reset' should clear the boot sequence and allow me to select the devices in the order that I want.
I think that the machine is at fault here , thanks for all the help.

Clive

Yes, the Reset button should clear the sequence. Funny, that is the only step that seems to actually require the TrackPoint on my machine -- if I try to use the keyboard to highlight the Reset button and then hit <ENTER>, it just goes back one level like you describe. If you are using your TrackPoint, though, then I don't know what to suggest.

Phil.

Clive,

Press and hold F1; then power on the computer. Hold F1 until the MEMCOUNT completes and you hear the POST beep. This will bring up the Easy-Setup welcome screen.

Clicking the STARTUP button will bring up the startup sub-menu. Select Power On and you will get another sub-menu that shows the available devices.

Fly the Birdie to the Reset icon, and click it. This will remove all devices from your start list. Then select, in order, CDROM, FDD, HDD-1. Then OK your way back to RESTART.

If you are unable to complete the above sequences, then you have a BIOS problem and need to upgrade to the latest release.

Regards,

James

JHEM,
Thanks for your help, it worked a treat, I think I had tried most of the combinations of clicking with various keys but hadn't used the cursor/mouse.
For some reason I assumed that it would be disabled at this early stage of the boot.
Wouldn't have sorted it without your help. Thanks again and also to all others who tried to help.

Clive

Glad to help Clive. Enjoy your 600X, it's widely perceived to be the best laptop ever made, particularly for it's perfect keyboard.

Regards,

James