Cannot reset boot sequence on an old Gateway computer

[Rodney]

I have an older Gateway computer which I have installed a new operationg system on. I put Ubuntu V8.04 (a linux system) on it. The mother board uses American Megatrends Inc. OAVVWP02 BIOS dated 08/21/2000
To boot off the hard disk, I have to go into the BIOS and select the hard disk as primary boot , exit with F10 and then it boots off the hard disk okay. However, the next time I turn on the computer, it wants to boot off another source. I thought it might be a bad battery on the mother board (although the date and time remained okay) so replaced the battery. No change, still reverts to wanting to boot off the CD or Floppy. Now, I did have to change out the hard disk from the origingal one as it had a hard failure. I'm pretty sure the boot action was okay for a while after I changed the disk and reloaded the OS but my memory might not be correct in that. Any suggestions as to what to try next? thanks

[evahle]

Hi Rodney. This may sound too simple but, you said that you pressed F10. Did this save the new setting? It should say save settings and exit.

evahle

[MrAl]

Hi Eugene,


My guess is that he did, and the reason i say this is because if the
settings are not saved it wont even boot correctly the first time
after exiting bios because bios will still be using the old settings.
Doesnt hurt to check though

[evahle]

Yes, you're right Al. Thanks for the correction!

Eugene

[Rodney]

Yes, the instructions say to press F10 to save settings and exit, to exit without saving changes, it says to hit ESC

[Janitor Tzap]

Hi Rodney,

Do you still have the manual for this Gateway computer?

I'd check for a BIO's CMO's locking jumper.
A lot of boards from Gateway, Dell, or E-Machines have these.

If it does, you will need to move the unlock jumper to the UNLOCKED position, with the computer off.
Now turn on the computer, and make your changes in the BIO's setup.
Once the BIO's is setup the way you want.
Save the settings, then shut down the computer.
Then replace the locking jumper to the LOCKED position.
Now turn on your computer.
The computer should boot the way you want now.


Signed: Janitor Tzap