I got a question wrong on my tech support test, but Im sure I could debate it!

[WarDemon666]

Question: Make sure your hard disk is properly detected by the BIOS. Where do you go for this in the CMOS? (Which main menu option did you choose?)

My answer: Standard CMOS setup.


I went into the bios, went to the standard setup, and I saw that the hard drive was detected and left. Whats wrong with that?

A couple of friends wrote "HDD Auto Detection" and got it right....

Technically both would work, as long as the HDD is not manually set in the bios...


Right?

Should I go get the extra point or not? (i got 97.5% so far...)

 

[Anubis]

i would have answerd just like you did

 

[Modeps]

The question is flawed.

 

[jarfykk]

Bad question. Mushroom tatoo whoever wrote it.

 

[Hyperblaze]

Problem is that there are a bunch of different types of BIOSes. you both are right. Some hard disks are more simplified then others. That's why it's a nightmare to do tech support over the phone in the bios when you have no idea what kind of bios they have.

 

[Modeps]

There are too many assumptions in the question, like your motherboard is 'new' enough to even support auto HDD detection...

Also, if I went into my CMOS I wouldnt find any information about my hard drives.

 

[tfinch2]

What is this HDD auto detection you speak of?

I always just goto the standard setup and check to see if the device is connected.

 

[WarDemon666]

Originally posted by: Modeps
There are too many assumptions in the question, like your motherboard is 'new' enough to even support auto HDD detection...

Also, if I went into my CMOS I wouldnt find any information about my hard drives.

Well, this was a hands on test. We had some old p2's running @ 350mhz

But all the HDD's were set as auto, and if I take the hard drive out its not in the "standard cmos setup" any more, showing me that it got detected!

errr

 

[Demon-Xanth]

I would've gone into "Standard CMOS setup" as well. That's where you can see IF it was detected and setup. You don't need to reconfigure the drive to check if it's setup.

 

[Legendary]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
I would've gone into "Standard CMOS setup" as well. That's where you can see IF it was detected and setup. You don't need to reconfigure the drive to check if it's setup.

 

[WarDemon666]

Originally posted by: Legendary

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
I would've gone into "Standard CMOS setup" as well. That's where you can see IF it was detected and setup. You don't need to reconfigure the drive to check if it's setup.

THanks all. Going to go earn my extra 1 mark...
MOUAHAHAHAHAH

 

[mobobuff]

Originally posted by: Legendary

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
I would've gone into "Standard CMOS setup" as well. That's where you can see IF it was detected and setup. You don't need to reconfigure the drive to check if it's setup.

Indeed, valid point.

 

[Trygve]

I'd say your answer was right. Many (most?) computers don't have a "HDD Auto Detection" option in the bios, and even if they do, it's not going to work with anything but standard IDE drives hooked to the main IDE connectors.

Personally, I think it was a dumb question because it's too vague about what kind of hard drive, etc.

 

[torpid]

Was this multiple choice? It would seem not. I don't recall HDD auto detection being a main menu option on ANY bios I have worked with. It is an option withing a particular section off the main menu.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Just a thought .... You should print up this thread and bring it to the professer .....

 

[CVSiN]

Originally posted by: Hyperblaze
Problem is that there are a bunch of different types of BIOSes. you both are right. Some hard disks are more simplified then others. That's why it's a nightmare to do tech support over the phone in the bios when you have no idea what kind of bios they have.

yup this is 100% correct.. on Dell/Compaqs/HPs there is a totally different sub menu completely..

the question is flawed... this question would be fine for a Lab but for a written exam its flawed

 

[Phoenix86]

Originally posted by: CVSiN

Originally posted by: Hyperblaze
Problem is that there are a bunch of different types of BIOSes. you both are right. Some hard disks are more simplified then others. That's why it's a nightmare to do tech support over the phone in the bios when you have no idea what kind of bios they have.

yup this is 100% correct.. on Dell/Compaqs/HPs there is a totally different sub menu completely..

the question is flawed... this question would be fine for a Lab but for a written exam its flawed

Originally posted by: WarDemon666
Well, this was a hands on test. We had some old p2's running @ 350mhz

WarDemon666, you have valid argument, and actually the "auto detect" is NOT the correct answer since it does not show if it's properly detected. It's just the correct BIOS setting to see the drives, it doesn't verify the BIOS actually sees the drive.

For example, if the HDD was not connected to the IDE chain/incorrect jumpers, and you only set the BIOS to autodetect, you won't verify that the "hard disk is properly detected by the BIOS." The BIOS won't detect a drive that isn't properly connected.

Which means you gave the ONLY correct answer. Verify it's being seen in the BIOS by checking the results of the auto detect, which you did.

Good luck.

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
I would've gone into "Standard CMOS setup" as well. That's where you can see IF it was detected and setup. You don't need to reconfigure the drive to check if it's setup.

Exactly what I was gonna say.

 

[akubi]

your teacher is incompetent. forget and move on