Original Message --
From: Anne Smith
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Saturday, May 12, 2007 1:06 AM
Subject: [PCBUILD] Netvista 6578
Hello,
I have acquired a couple of Netvista PCs 6578, Pentium 3, 256mb RAM,
running Win2000 prof.
Both freeze when trying to load Win2000 prof, so I tried to use a boot
disk to try to get them started, and find I can't get them to boot from
the floppy at all.
I used an old Win98 HD and managed to boot into safe mode and ran Fresh
Diagnose where the CMOS settings have set the boot order to boot from HD
and not from the floppy.
How do I access the CMOS so I can change the boot order?
There is a line at start up saying to use Control S to access options,
but these are very basic with nowhere to change to boot order.
Any help will be helpful.
Thank you
Anne Smith
[log in to unmask]
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Hi Anne,
I'm no expert on IBM NetVista machines, in fact I don't believe I've ever seen one in person but, after Googling (or Googleing, I've seen both spellings in online use) 'NetVista 6578 BIOS', I quickly came up with enough information to lead me to conclude that you aren't the first person to run into this problem.
This said, I'm not saying that the issues you're encountering are all BIOS related, but it's a good place to start.
Here are three links to places I think to be germane to your situation:
1) Google Search: NetVista 6578 BIOS
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=NetVista+6578+BIOS&btnG=Search
2) Lenovo Support & Sownloads - Flash BIOS update, PIJT37A, NetVista 6578, et al.
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/MIGR-4MBUDT.html
3) IBM NetVista no boot order in BIOS - LinuxQuestions.org
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/showthread.php?t=432433
In the LinuxQuestions forum, what one person thought to be a BIOS problem because they couldn't specify the boot order ended up being a BIOS access problem which was simply resolved by pushing 'F1' repeatedly during startup to enter BIOS setup, afterwhich the boot sequence was apparently easily changed. Your mileage may vary.
In any event, the above information should help you along the path to problem(s) resolution.
$$$
FWIW... if I were in your shoes, I'd first read up on what others have experienced with similar or identical machines, then proceed to tackle the boot order with the BIOS that's already installed in these machines.
If successful, I'd then reinstall the original hard drive and see what happens when powered on, if anything.
If nothing, then you have some choices to make:
Flash the BIOS with the latest version availavaile from Lenovo (see link 3 above) and then proceed forward, OR use KillDisk or some such similar utility to destroy everything on the drive prior to partitioning, formatting and installing an OS on the freshly prepared boot drive. I presume you're thinking Windows rather than Linux, so you might wish to start with Windows98 SE which I believe was the factory installed OS on these machines. Windows 2000 would be my preferred choice for these machines if they've the hardware to run it and you have a copy of W2K Pro and license on hand.
Finally, I'd make every attempt to get the machine to boot into the Windows environment (even if in safe mode) before making a decision to flash upgrade the BIOS. It may well turn out that the most recent BIOS release is already installed.
$$$
Have fun my dear. I am,
Very truly yours,
Jeffrey Ottie
eom
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