[SeaBIOS] [PATCH] boot: add serial-friendly alternatives for invoking the boot menu

[Timothy Pearson]

On 03/11/2015 11:09 AM, Kevin O'Connor wrote:
> The above makes sense.  The F12 key comes from Bochs bios.  Given the
> difficulties in using F-keys (on QEMU as well as on real machines) I
> wonder if we should just change the SeaBIOS default to ESC?
>
> I don't like changing the default message to "Press ESC+@ or F12 for
> boot menu." as I think the description becomes confusing when multiple
> options are given.  So, ESC+@ could be a hidden feature, but
> admittedly that's not a great option.  Otherwise the technical parts
> of the patch looks okay to me.
>
> -Kevin

For what it's worth uing only the Esc makes a lot of sense; the user is 
"Escaping" from the automated boot sequence.  I always had issues with 
the proprietary BIOSes where it was F1, F2, F8. F12, DEL, TAB, or 
something else based on the manufacturer.  As there is rarely enough 
time for the CRT to warm up before POST completes I usually end up 
pressing all of those keys in sequence multiple times until I see the 
configuration menu.

-- 
Timothy Pearson
Raptor Engineering
+1 (415) 727-8645
http://www.raptorengineeringinc.com