first boot sequence

(1) The peripheral order the computer uses to look for the operating system. If it does not find the OS in the first device, it looks in the second and so on. Although computers typically boot from the hard disk, the first boot sequence enables it to load a different operating system when necessary by placing a bootable disk into the drive. The first boot sequence is configured in the BIOS and can be changed as needed.

In the early days of personal computers, the floppy disk was chosen as the first device and the hard disk second. Subsequently, the CD-ROM was typically chosen to be the first in line, followed by the floppy and hard disk. See boot and BIOS.

(2) A series of on-screen dialogs presented to the user the first time a new computer is turned on. It offers the user certain choices and proceeds to set up the selected software and services. Vendors covet being able to offer a product in the first boot sequence.