Method and system for selecting from multiple boot code images to be loaded in a data processing system

A computer system including a processor, a system memory, and a boot code storage device. The system memory is connected to the processor and is suitable for storing processor data and instructions. The boot code storage device includes an image selection indicator for indicating which of multiple boot code images are to be loaded. The computer system further includes means for initiating a boot sequence stored on the boot code storage device. The boot sequence selects from first and second boot images based upon the state of the image selection indicator and loads the selected image into the system memory in response to a boot event. In one embodiment, the image selection indicator is in an initial state until the boot code sequence successfully loads a boot image. The image selection indicator is set to a value indicative of the loaded image when one of the boot images is successfully loaded. The boot code storage sequence attempts, in the preferred embodiment, to load the previously load boot image when the system detects a setting of the image selection indicator indicative of a previously loaded boot image. In the preferred embodiment, the boot code sequence responds to a specified user input sequence by presenting the user with a configuration screen suitable for altering the value of the image selection indicator such that the user may later the boot image that will be loaded during a subsequent execution of the boot sequence. In one embodiment, the first boot image is a BIOS based boot image and the second image is a network based (non-BIOS) boot image. The boot code storage device is preferably a flash memory device.