Gateway DX4885 i5 4440 build - is the bios hopeless?

[walklong]

I have done some searching and observe that Gateway doesn't seem to play well with this kind of tinkering. Everyone's time is valuable, including mine, so I mean for these to be a quick up/down questions:

Am I up against a Frankenbios that will forever prevent my success?
If so, is there a geeky way around said bios?
Should I abandon this piece of hardware and just get a real box for my project?

- I am attempting to build a TrueNAS box out of a Gateway DX 4885 with intel i5-4440 3.1 ghz; 16 gig ram, samsung 250gb ssd, 2x Seagate Ironwolf 4tb NAS drives. Gateway Bios is reported as P11-A1, 6/21/2013. Searching on model and s/n returns nothing for updates to the bios/firmware.

Status:
I have successfully flashed the TrueNAS to the pny 16 gig thumb drive, successfully, (I think) installed TrueNAS on the SSD. After reboot, I get the message:
"Reboot and select proper boot device or insert boot device. Press any key."

When I go back into setup the boot device is reported as "Windows boot manager" - which suggests to me that the bios is looking for windows and is pouting because it can't find it.

I've been screwing up computers since my first Compaq system in 1985 (8086 cpu, 64 mb ram, 2 5.25 inch floppies) so I'm quite proficient at blowing this stuff up . . . unafraid to attempt flashing an alternative bios to this POC mobo, but I'd rather invest my time in a process with a reasonable chance of success for the end result: a TrueNAS box for my home network.

TIA for time and consideration. Apologies in advance for anything crucial I've left out - feel free to rip me a new one, as needed. .

 

[Samuel Tai]

A lot of the Gateways of that vintage had BIOSs crippled to only boot Windows, with Windows drivers providing the missing BIOS functionality. There's a reason Gateway disappeared quickly from the market. Don't waste your time, but pick up another system for tinkering.

 

[walklong]

A lot of the Gateways of that vintage had BIOSs crippled to only boot Windows, with Windows drivers providing the missing BIOS functionality. There's a reason Gateway disappeared quickly from the market. Don't waste your time, but pick up another system for tinkering.

Thank you Samuel - that was what I sorta expected - disappointed only because part of my motivation is a bias towards conserving resources.

 

[walklong]

Thank you Samuel - that was what I sorta expected - disappointed only because part of my motivation is a bias towards conserving resources.

BTW, I've had many years of familiarity with my personal version of stupidity - but it still surprises me sometimes . . . :)