You mean the ones on Open Firmware (IEEE 1275) and open-source BIOSes? "We need a free BIOS, because if we don't control the BIOS we don't control our computers," How true. We basically rent them for a flat price. Same with OEM software users, except there, we're renting a car that only takes fuel and oil from one distributor (when they feel like it). But I wonder how well Stallamn though out what he sadi (no need to change the BIOS inless it's broken). I say it's broken if it doesn;t do what you need it to (boot from zip drive). How else you gonna enter the password and be confident no rottkitted keylogger isn't passing it on to others? Linux looking better everyday, but each day I get lazier. Regards and hap-e-trails, Steve Hopper

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well why don't u try putting the contents of the usb stick in a floppy disk and then boot from it instead?

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>> Linux looking better everyday, but each day I get lazier. << Whats Linux or any other OS got to do with it. You will have the same BIOS doing exactly the same thing irrespective of which Operating system you have. Stuart

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Thanks for replies. Superyo - That media's too prone to damage (unlike zip drives like memory sticks and pen drives), but optical drives are too, plus disks are not as practical for keeping track of them (ie; assuring their security by carrying them on your person). Stuart - Mentioned Linux merely to underscore MS's propensity for poor security and even the software itself, hense the need for user actions to workaround the inherent password issues of "typing in" log-on and Bios passwords (ref. 'built in' holes allowing for rootkitted keyloggers to access those pwd's). Also, it should go w/o saying that Linux OS's provide superior security, virtually no bugs, and moreover, it offers far greater stable than any MS platform. Regards and hap-e-trails, Steve Hopper

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Steve, By your own admission, you're not qualified to compare Linux and Windows. "Linux looking better everyday, but each day I get lazier." You do seem to have learned the standard hype pretty well, though. "Linux OS's provide superior security, virtually no bugs, and moreover, it offers far greater stable than any MS platform." Keep in mind, if Linux ever becomes as popular as Windows, the virus writers will start targeting that platform. Then, we'll really see how much more secure it is. Please let us know if you found someone's advice to be helpful.

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Thanks for replies. Again, all - As to why I'm posting, and why I don't try out the pen drive's recovery image, I simply have no idea if trying it might partially load drivers and thereafter require the use of the recovery disk (which is currently keyed to an optical drive which's been removed from tht laptop). SciGuy - It's always nice to see different points of views. Keeps us all on our toes and ensure our experiences are shared. I hope nothing I've said here, implicitly implied my views are etched in stone. But I don't think I anything I've said, deserves to be seen as my being unqualified to express my opinion about Windows and Linux, especially since the 'hype' is not only such well known, widely agreed upon, moreover despite the future (which's not what's relative to the now), at this point in time, 'the hype' is correct. But be assured I understand evolution's a never changing process and is easily painted as revolution, by anyone with a bone to pick. Regards and hap-e-trails, Steve Hopper

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