How to Boot a Dell From a CD
If you want to install an operating system or test Linux with a LiveCD, you need to use a bootable CD. You can boot from a CD on a Dell computer two different ways. The first way requires you to enter the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) and change the order of the boot system to make the CD reader the first to boot. The second is to display the boot menu and choose the CD reader. The boot menu changes the boot order only once, while the BIOS changes the boot order until you change it back.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
BIOS
-
1
Start the computer and press "F2" when the Dell logo appears on the screen.
-
2
Navigate with the arrow keys and select the "Boot" tab. Highlight the "Boot first" or "1st boot device." Using the "+" or "-" key, change the device to your CD reader.
-
-
3
Highlight the "Boot second" or " 2nd boot device" and change the device to your hard drive. The device is the manufacturer's name of the hard drive, for example WD10EARS for a Western Digital 1Tb hard drive.
-
4
Save and exit the BIOS by pressing the "Esc" key and selecting "Save changes."
-
5
Insert the CD you want to boot from to boot from it.
Boot Menu
-
6
Start your computer and insert the bootable CD.
-
7
Press the "F12" key when the Dell logo appears on the screen.
-
8
Select the CD reader in the boot menu. Press "Enter" to start booting from the CD.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Different computers can have slightly different BIOS options configuration.The key you use to enter the BIOS and the boot menu may change. They are always displayed on the logo screen.
Do step 3 in the first section only if you want to keep on booting from the CD reader first but want to computer to start from the normal operating system when no CD is found. If you want to boot from the CD only this one time, you have to go back to the BIOS and replace the first boot device with your hard drive.
