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Windows XP BIOS access?

Apfelweie

Apfelweie

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 22, 2011
13
0
To activate a port I would like to gain access to the BIOS part of my MacBook Pro running Windows XP (the device manager does not show any Ports and I suspect that I have to enter the BIOS to activate them).
I tried the different Windows options such as Delete/F1/F2/F10 during Windows start, nut none of them work...

Any ideas as how to gain access to the BIOS :confused:
 
Apfelweie said:
To activate a port I would like to gain access to the BIOS part of my MacBook Pro running Windows XP (the device manager does not show any Ports and I suspect that I have to enter the BIOS to activate them).
I tried the different Windows options such as Delete/F1/F2/F10 during Windows start, nut none of them work...

Any ideas as how to gain access to the BIOS :confused:
Click to expand...

The above poster got it exactly. The BIOS you're referring to is an embedded piece of software that runs on the motherboard between Windows and your hardware. Hence, it does not actually exist as part of Windows. Mac's do not have BIOS, but rather their form of EFI. Your issue sounds like a driver problem though. Have you installed the newest Bootcamp drivers for your machine?
 
Thanks for the quick answers guys.
I know there is no BIOS on the Mac... but I'm using Windows XP and trying to access the BIOS in Windows whilst using it on the Mac in order to configure the ports?
 
I don't think there is any way to access a computer's BIOS from within Windows on any computer.
 
Apfelweie said:
I know there is no BIOS on the Mac... but I'm using Windows XP and trying to access the BIOS in Windows whilst using it on the Mac in order to configure the ports?
Click to expand...
Which ports specifically are you referring to?

Macs don't have serial ports, parallel ports, or any of those kind of things? Only USB. Is USB not working?

Can you be more specific as to what it is you are trying to do?

In every OS since XP, the BIOS only serves to get the machine booted and then is overridden by XPs own drivers.

B
 
Thanks for all the replies.

To elaborate, I want to use my old Flight Simulator Panel from Elite (AP-1000) which used to work on my previous hard drive.
Starting Windows XP and then the Elite program, I'm presented with a "no port available, please choose one" window. A list of ports numbered from 1 to 8 is presented, but none of them can be selected as they are greyed out. So it looks like to me that Windows does not have access to the USB port where the device is plugged in.
I have now downloaded several Bootcamp updates and will try, as soon as my thight schedule permits, to install them...

To be continued :apple:
 
After researching the item you're trying to connect, it states that it only has serial connectivity.

If you're using a serial to usb converter you'll need to download and install the drivers for it.
 
:) problem SOLVED!

Thanks guys, specially to balamw and Darth.Titan

Like you all stated, nothing to BIOS around... just installed the UC-232a driver for the serial-USB converter and it works like a charm ;)
 
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