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The Intel® Boot Agent is seen by the host computer as a boot device. The BIOS will insert the Boot Agent into the list of boot devices (except for very old model computers that do not support this function). When the Boot Agent is ahead of any other bootable device in the list, it will execute and attempt to boot the machine.
To prevent the Boot Agent from executing, enter your systems BIOS configuration and find the boot device order settings. Move the boot agent further down the list, preferably after the hard drive or whatever device you prefer to boot from.
The Boot Agent will initialize during the system startup, even if it is not the first boot device. During the time the initialization screen is displayed, you can press Control-S to configure the Boot Agent's internal settings.
To prevent the Boot Agent from even initializing, you can turn it off completely. The Intel® Boot Agent can be completely turned off by using the IBAUtil.exe DOS utility found in the PROBOOT archive, using the command line IBAUTIL - FD (flashdisable).
The Boot Agent is enabled by default on desktop adapters, and disabled by default on server adapters. To enable the Boot Agent on server adapters, use the IBAUTIL utility with the command line IBAUTIL -FE to enable the flash.
When there is more than one adapter in a computer, it is a good practice to disable the Boot Agent on every adapter except on any where it is needed. Since it takes time for each adapter to initialize the Boot Agent during system startup, this will help minimize the boot time.
NOTE: The instructions above assume a plug-in PCI adapter. With network interfaces that are built into the main board, such as the Intel® PRO/1000 CT Network Connection, the Intel® PRO/100 VE Desktop Adapter and the Intel® PRO/100 VM Network Connection, the Boot Agent is embedded into the computer BIOS and must be configured through the computer BIOS. In these instances, the IBAUTIL utility will not work, and Boot Agent upgrades must be obtained from your system vendor as part of a BIOS upgrade.
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