NEW TO Mac: how do i access the BIOS?

Hi,

Welcome to the Discussions.

There is no BIOS with the Mac OS. If you describe the symptoms, your computer model, what OS and what you've done to troubleshoot someone here can probably help.

John

Look at "Where's My Mac's BIOS" http://blandname.com/category/bios/

 Cheers, Tom 😉

As others have indicated, there is no BIOS, but there is Open Firmware on Macs that came with PCI slots and all that came later.

What is it you want to do when you get there?

Hi-

Insert the install disc into the optical drive, and hold C while starting to boot to the install disc. Once booted to the install disc, you can proceed with reinstallation.
To open the drive tray from boot, hold the C key. Or, use the directions to do so in Open Firmware, as described in this article.

Are you telling me you have to access the BIOS on a PC to boot from an alternate boot device?

What a piece of %$#*!

Good thing you have a Mac now! Folks here would love to help you so that you do not have to endure that garbage any more.

You can also use the Startup Manager on any Mac after the "Blue & White G3". The Blue & White is an intense Blue similar to the color of smurf dolls. Your Mac is probably a deep gray-blue that most literature calls gray.

HT1310- Startup Manager: How to select a startup volume

Grant Bennet-Alder wrote:

You can also use the Startup Manager on any Mac after the "Blue & White G3". The Blue & White is an intense Blue similar to the color of smurf dolls. Your Mac is probably a deep gray-blue that most literature calls gray.

HT1310- Startup Manager: How to select a startup volume

Actually any model after the PCI Graphics G4.

John

Good point, John.

PCI Graphics G4, available in 350 MHz and 400 MHz versions in a ZIF processor slot, still did not have the Startup Manager firmware in its ROM.