How to Change the Default Boot Order
The boot order or boot sequence of a computer is the order in which the basic input/output system (BIOS) loads information from the system devices upon startup. If a computer has two hard drives with operating systems installed on each driver, the boot sequence will determine which operating system boots up when the computer is turned on. Changing the boot sequence can allow users to boot from CDs, floppy disks and other removable devices.
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Instructions
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Restart your computer.
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Press the appropriate key to enter BIOS setup as the computer boots. Your BIOS may display the key on the screen; for instance it may say something like "Press Delete to Enter Setup." Common keys to enter BIOS setup are Delete, Escape and the Function keys (F1, F2, etc.). Consult your computer's manual if you cannot find the appropriate key.
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Navigate your BIOS setup main menu and enter the boot configuration menu. Each BIOS will look somewhat different and have different key commands to navigate menus. In general, the arrow keys are used to change your selection, the Enter key is issued to open submenus or select items, and Escape is used to go back and exit. The BIOS screen should have a list of key commands that you can use to navigate the menus. Look for an option called something similar to "Boot," "Boot Order," "Boot Sequence" or "Boot Configuration," highlight it and then press the appropriate key to enter the menu (probably the Enter key).
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Use the onscreen key commands and instructions to adjust the boot sequence to your liking. The boot devices your system has available will be listed in descending order (meaning the first device listed will be the first device that the system attempts to boot from). Typically, changing the boot order can be done by selecting a device with the up and down arrow keys and then using the "+" and "-" keys to move the device up or down in the sequence.
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Press the appropriate key to save the changes when you are finished arranging the boot order. Again, your BIOS menus will list the key to press to save changes.
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Press the appropriate key to exit BIOS setup (usually the Escape key.). Your computer will boot up following the newly configured boot order.
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Tips & Warnings
If the system is unable to boot from the first device in the boot sequence it will move on to the next and continue in this fashion down the list of boot devices. For instance, if your CD drive is set to the first boot device but you do not have a CD in the drive, the system will then attempt to boot from the second device in the boot sequence.
If you set a hard drive with an operating system installed higher in the boot sequence than your CD drive, floppy drive or removable devices, you will not be able to boot from CDs, floppy disks or removable media like flash drives. Typically, it is most useful to set CD drives, floppy drives and removable devices earlier in the boot order than your main hard drive so that you can boot from these devices if you need to.
