Abstract: In a computer system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, failed boot attempts to flash media are automatically detected and overcome without halting the system or requiring user input. The INT 19h handler is modified such that, when the BIOS is attempting to boot to a flash device, the normal INT 10h handler is replaced with a temporary INT 10h handler. The temporary INT 10h handler checks whether characters written to the screen constitute all or a unique part of an error message that would result from a failed boot attempt. If so, then the original INT 10h handler address is restored, and the BIOS jumps to attempt booting from the next bootable device without halting the system. If not, then the BIOS assumes the boot attempt to the flash device was successful, and simply restores the original INT 10h handler address.