Many computer operations, such as installing or repairing an operating system, will require your computer to boot from the CD-ROM drive. Normally computers boot from their hard disk drives, so you will have to change the boot sequence in order for your computer to look to the CD-ROM drive first. Changing the boot sequence involves making some changes in the motherboard's bios. This may sound technical, but it is quite easy.
Instructions
1. Turn on your computer. You can enter a computer's bios menu by pressing a key; usually F2, F5 or X; during the boot process. Watch closely as your computer starts up to find out which key you will need to press; it will display a statement such as "Press F2 to Enter Setup."
2. Enter your computer's bios menu by pressing the indicated key. This needs to be done at the right time during startup, and it is easy to miss the opportunity. The best strategy, once you find out which key to press, is to restart the computer and immediately begin tapping the key repeatedly. This action should get you to the bios menu.
3. Find and access the boot menu in the bios. Your mouse will not work in the bios menu; look for instructions on navigating the bios menu toward the bottom of the screen. Look for a menu option called "Boot Sequence," or "Boot Devices," or look along the top of the screen for a "Boot" tab.
4. Change the boot sequence. Look for a device labeled "Primary Boot Device" or something similar. The primary boot device indicated should be the "HDD," or hard disk drive. Change it by pressing enter and selecting "CDROM" or "CD/DVD." The boot sequence might be shown simply as a list of the boot devices; look for instructions on changing the order of the devices, such as "Press F6 to move an item up in order and F5 to move an item down in order."
5. Save and exit the bios. Toward the bottom of the bios screen, look for the key that will allow you to "Save and Exit." This is usually F10. Press it and your computer will restart and boot from the CD drive.
Tags: your computer, bios menu, boot from, bios menu pressing, boot sequence