SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SELECTING A FIRST BOOT DEVICE FOR A COMPUTER

Abstract

A computer-based method for selecting a first boot device for a computer is provided. The method includes the steps of: initializing a boot menu, and initializing a time value for the boot menu; entering a POST program and displaying the boot menu; decrementing the time value, and clocking the boot menu; restarting the computer from a first boot device which is selected during the time period according to the time value; and saving parameters of the first boot device into a CMOS. A related system is also disclosed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a hardware infrastructure of a system for selecting a first boot device for a computer in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an interface of a boot menu;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for initializing a boot menu in accordance with a preferred embodiment; and

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for selecting a first boot device for a computer in accordance with a preferred embodiment.

Claims

1. A system for selecting a first boot device for a computer, the system comprising: an initializing module for initializing a boot menu, and initializing a time value for the boot menu;a starting module for initiating the boot menu and the time value;a timing module for clocking the boot menu according to the time value; anda saving module for saving parameters of a first boot device that is selected during the time period according to the time value.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a judging module for determining if the boot menu is operative.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the judging module is further programmed for determining if the time value is initialized.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the judging module is further programmed for determining whether the first boot device has been selected and accepted within the time period according to the time value.

5. A computer-based method for selecting a first boot device for a computer, the method comprising the steps of: initializing a boot menu, and initializing a time value for the boot menu;entering a POST program, and displaying the boot menu if the boot menu is operative;decrementing the time value, and clocking the boot menu;restarting the computer from a selected first boot device if the first boot device is selected and accepted during the time period according to the time value; andsaving parameters of the selected first boot device.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of: starting the computer normally if the boot menu is not operative.

7. The method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of: loading a default value into the time value if the time value is not initialized.

8. The method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of: restarting the computer from the first boot device selected last time if no first boot device is selected during the time period according to the time value.