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Date:      Sat, 17 Jan 2015 21:19:59 -0700 (MST)
From:      Warren Block <wblock@wonkity.com>
To:        Chris Maness <chris@chrismaness.com>
Cc:        "freebsd-questions@freebsd.org" <freebsd-questions@freebsd.org>
Subject:   Re: Acer Aspire AXC-603-UB17
Message-ID:  <alpine.BSF.2.11.1501172117360.5233@wonkity.com>
In-Reply-To: <CANnsUMEtxJ%2BSutLVJb0MiDnxwexX=hc=BcqNYcYz=t6UmJBshw@mail.gmail.com>
References:  <CANnsUMEtxJ%2BSutLVJb0MiDnxwexX=hc=BcqNYcYz=t6UmJBshw@mail.gmail.com>

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On Sat, 17 Jan 2015, Chris Maness wrote:

> I purchased a little Acer Aspire to run as a small FreeBSD server.  The
> price was right for what came with it.  However, changing the boot order in
> the BIOS seemed to have no effect.  As if the DVD drive was not even
> installed.  If I set manual boot selection, the FreeBSD install CD was not
> an option at boot time.  To check to see if the DVD drive is functioning I
> allowed it to go through the whole windows install procedure.  Sure enough
> -- the DVD works.  I have tried several other boot disks to no avail.
>
> Moreover, after going through the setup, Windows seemed to have hijacked
> the whole boot process, and I can't even get into the BIOS.  What is the
> deal?  Does M$ have some kind of deal with Acer to make it impossible to
> install another OS?  I have never purchased a computer with the OS already
> on it.  I have always built my own PC's, but for $209 I figured it couldn't
> be beat.
>
> Has anyone else had a similar experience with ultra cheapie Windows boxes?

Likely UEFI with SecureBoot enabled.  Turn SecureBoot off, enable 
"legacy" or "CSM" booting in what was formerly known as the BIOS setup 
screens.





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