Installing Windows 10 on older computers with the classic blue-white BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) can seem daunting, especially if you’re accustomed to the modern UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) interface. The “Eski mavi beyaz BIOS,” as it’s often referred to in Turkish, is the traditional BIOS interface that has been around for decades. While many newer computers use UEFI, older systems often still rely on this simpler, text-based BIOS to manage hardware settings and boot operations.
In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through every step of installing Windows 10 on a system that uses this old-style BIOS interface. Whether you’re reviving an older computer or simply prefer the familiarity of this classic BIOS interface, this guide has you covered.
Understanding the Classic Blue-White BIOS
Before diving into the installation process, it’s important to understand the classic blue-white BIOS. This interface dates back to the early days of personal computing and is typically more basic than UEFI. It’s text-based, with a blue background and white text, offering a range of options for configuring hardware settings and booting from different drives.
Key features of this BIOS include:
- Limited visual interface: Unlike UEFI, which often has a graphical interface, the blue-white BIOS is purely text-based.
- Older compatibility: It is designed for older systems and supports traditional MBR (Master Boot Record) partitioning rather than the more modern GPT (GUID Partition Table).
- Legacy booting: This BIOS supports legacy booting, which is essential for older operating systems and hardware.
Now that you know what the classic BIOS is, let’s move on to the steps for installing Windows 10.
What You’ll Need
Before starting, ensure you have the following:
- A Windows 10 installation USB or DVD: You can create a bootable USB drive using Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool.
- A computer with a classic blue-white BIOS: This guide assumes you’re installing on an older system that uses this BIOS style.
- A backup of your data: Installing a new operating system will likely erase all data on the drive, so ensure you have backups of anything important.
- An internet connection (optional): This will be useful for downloading any updates after the installation is complete.
Step 1: Accessing the BIOS
To start the installation process, you’ll first need to access the BIOS. Follow these steps:
- Turn on or restart your computer.
- As soon as the system powers on, press the appropriate key to enter the BIOS. On most systems with the classic BIOS, this is usually one of the following:
Delete
,F1
,F2
,F10
, orEsc
. atch for a prompt on the screen that says something similar to “Press [key] to access Setup.” - Once you’ve entered the BIOS, you should see the classic blue-and-white interface.
Step 2: Configure Boot Settings
Now that you’re in the BIOS, you need to configure the boot settings so the system can boot from your Windows 10 installation media (USB or DVD).
- Locate the Boot menu: In the blue-white BIOS, navigate to the “Boot” or “Boot Order” menu. You can usually do this using the arrow keys on your keyboard.
- Set the boot priority: Change the boot priority so that your USB drive or DVD is the first boot device. This ensures that when the system restarts, it will boot directly into the Windows 10 installation media. If you’re using a USB drive, select “USB HDD” or something similar. If you are using a DVD, choose the “CD/DVD Drive” option.
- Save changes and exit: After setting the boot priority, press the designated key (often
F10
) to save your changes and exit the BIOS.
Step 3: Begin Windows 10 Installation
After exiting the BIOS, your computer should restart and boot into the Windows 10 installation media.
- Choose your language and region settings: Once the Windows installer loads, you’ll be prompted to choose your language, time, and keyboard settings. Pick the suitable options and then click “Next.”
- Click “Install Now”: On the next screen, click “Install Now” to begin the installation process.
- Enter your product key: If you have a Windows 10 product key, enter it when prompted. If you don’t have a key or plan to activate Windows later, you can click “I don’t have a product key” and proceed with the installation.
- Choose the installation type: Select “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)” when asked. This option allows you to perform a clean installation, which is recommended for older systems.
Step 4: Partitioning the Drive
In this step, you’ll need to configure the hard drive for installation. If your drive uses the older MBR partitioning system (which is common for systems with blue-white BIOS), you can proceed without converting it to GPT.
- Select the drive for installation: You’ll be shown a list of drives and partitions.
- Delete any existing partitions (optional): If there are existing partitions on the drive and you want to start fresh, select each partition and click “Delete.” This will erase all data on the drive, so be sure you’ve backed up important files.
- Create a new partition: Once the drive is unallocated, select it and click “New” to create a new partition for Windows 10. The installer will automatically create the necessary system partitions.
- Select the new partition and click “Next”: Windows will now begin copying files and installing the operating system.
Step 5: Complete the Installation
Once the installation process starts, you simply need to wait for the files to copy and install. This might take a while, depending on your system’s speed. After the initial installation phase, your computer will restart.
- Let the system boot: When the system restarts, ensure it boots from the hard drive and not the installation media. If needed, you can change the boot priority back in the BIOS.
- Follow the on-screen prompts: Once the installation is complete, Windows 10 will guide you through the final setup, including choosing your settings, connecting to a network, and signing in with a Microsoft account.
Step 6: Install Drivers and Updates
After Windows 10 is installed, you may need to install drivers for your hardware. Windows 10 usually includes drivers for most components, but on older systems, you may need to manually install drivers for things like graphics cards, sound cards, or network adapters. You can usually locate these drivers on the manufacturer’s website.
Additionally, it’s recommended to check for Windows updates to ensure your system has the latest security patches and features. Navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and select “Check for updates.”
Conclusion
Installing Windows 10 on a system with the classic blue-white BIOS interface might feel like a step back in time, but it’s a process that can breathe new life into an older computer. By following this guide, you should be able to smoothly install Windows 10 and enjoy a modern operating system on your legacy hardware. With careful attention to the boot settings and partitioning, the process is straightforward and rewarding.
Feel free to reach out with any questions or issues you encounter along the way!