getting ready for first boot: config./bios question

[paJAMbla]

Just want to make sure of a few of things I'm not perfectly clear about.

Here's what I have:

Asus P5P800SE MB
P4 630 3.0Ghz Socket 775 cpu
Seagate SATA 120GB HD
Lite-on DVD-RW
Sony FDD

All three drives are on separate connections to psu and MB so I set the DVD jumper to Master since its all by itself. (Is that right?)

When I boot for the first time, should I immediately put the Windows XP OS in the disc drive? If not, will I be commanded when to do so?

What do I do with the disc that came with my Asus motherboard? Is it used during bios set-up or something I load once the OP is fully installed? Instructions aren't too clear on that.

Is it necessary to create a bootable floppy disc if I can update or restore bios online?

Whats the best setting for "boot device priority" given the components I have?

Should I enable the cpu Q-fan control? If so, what are the best settings once I do?


That's it for now, thanks again to everyone who has helped me get to this point.

[blue60007]

Not sure about the jumper setting. On the first boot you should just go into BIOS and make sure all your drives are found and your temperatures are alright... You'll never be asked to put the XP CD in. Once everything looks ok in BIOS go and change the boot order (priority) so the DVD drive is first. Then put the XP CD in, save settings and exit. (actually as long as the DVD drive is in the boot list it should still load the CD - if it can't boot from the HDD I think it'll try the DVD drive next)

You'll use the mobo CD to install the chipset drivers, sound drivers, and whatever else you might need (LAN drivers, etc) - this is all once you get the OS installed. Don't forget to install the video drivers off your video card's CD or download them once you get the OS installed. You'll have pretty crappy video performance until you do.

No need to mess with updating the BIOS if everything is working properly.

Once you get the OS loaded, you'll want to put the CD drive back after the hard drive. Usually you want FDD, HDD, CD. I tend to remove the floppy from the list unless you'll be booting from the floppy a lot. Removing it speeds up boot (you can always put it back in should you need to boot from the floppy) if it's not trying to boot from it first.

I'm not sure if you want Q-Fan or not. I'd leave it off to start with. That's something I'd wait to play with until everything else is working.

[Rolandooo]

it would be best to Set your DVD to Master on The Jumper, now when you first Boot up Leave the Drives Empty and Check the Bios, Mostly on Most Mobos They have Floppy as First boot Device but change that to Your CD-Rom so it will Boot the XP Cd then go ahead chech the rest of the setting ons Bois and if all Looks Good Exit and Save it will Reboot and Put the XP Cd in and GO ahead and Intall The OS....

after The Os is Installed and the Computer Boots up to the Desktop The First thing you Do is Install the CD that came With Your Mobo

Wow blue explained it well and beat me and i learned something new ("Once you get the OS loaded, you'll want to put the CD drive back after the hard drive. Usually you want FDD, HDD, CD. I tend to remove the floppy from the list unless you'll be booting from the floppy a lot. Removing it speeds up boot (you can always put it back in should you need to boot from the floppy) if it's not trying to boot from it first.")

Hope You get Your Computer Running you would be suprised How Easy it Really Is

[paJAMbla]

Thanks soooo much you guys.

I have another question...which I'm sure I'd find if I dig a little...but how do you go back into bios once everything is up and running if I DO want to change anything?

Also, Blue you mentioned I should drop the FDD after I'm all done so it boots up faster. That just means it doesn't check it on boot up right? It still works if I'm using it to save files to it right? Or did you just mean to put it at the bottom of the priority list?

[Alaron]

The key for BIOS entry is usually Delete or F2. It should say at the bottom of the bootup screen if you look quickly.

Moving the floppy below the hard drive in the boot order does speed up boot time. Yes, the floppy will still work.

[paJAMbla]

Oh I see... just hit the delete key during boot-up.

I thought Blue meant to take it out of the priority list altogether...not just put it at the bottom.

[blue60007]

Ah, well, that works too. The way boot priority works in my BIOS is you have the options 1st boot device, 2nd, and 3rd (it's not really a priority list per se). You select it and select a device from a list, or none. Other BIOS's I've worked with you move your devices around on a list (don't think you can completely remove the device though).

So either get rid of the floppy or move it to the bottom...whatever it is you need to do for your BIOS. Wheter it's at the bottom (after HDD anyways) or not on the list it won't try to boot from it since the HDD would go first. And yes, the floppy would still work either way either way, the computer just won't try to boot from it at startup. Remember to put the floppy back at the top if you need to boot from it (same with the CD).