Q I have a new Pentium II PC with a built-in Zip drive, and I'd like to boot from it. Is this possible?

A Some BIOS makers have included this capability in the latest versions of their BIOSes. But there's no guarantee your computer will support non-floppy booting, because motherboard and system manufacturers often tweak the BIOS code to suit their needs.

To check, go into the CMOS Setup program and look for a boot option that lists devices such as Zip or LS-120 drives. If your BIOS offers it, you'll also need Windows 98 or an OSR2 version of Windows 95. You'll need to set your floppy drive letter to B: during the session before booting from the alternative drive.

If your BIOS doesn't provide the necessary support, you may need to get a flash BIOS upgrade from your PC's manufacturer. You may also be able to buy an add-on card that provides the necessary BIOS extensions. But be warned: Windows has a long history of BIOS-related problems, especially with first-generation add-ons.