To boot from a boot disk, you typically need to access your computer's BIOS or UEFI settings and change the boot order priority. This tells your computer to load the operating system or utility from the boot disk (like a CD, DVD, or USB drive) instead of the standard hard drive.
Here's a general guide on how to do it, based on the provided reference:
Accessing BIOS or UEFI Settings
The first step is to enter your computer's firmware settings (BIOS or UEFI) right after turning it on.
- Start or Restart Your Computer: Turn on your computer or restart it if it's already running.
- Press the Setup Key: During the initial startup screen, often before the Windows or macOS logo appears, you'll see a message like "Press [Key] to Enter Setup" or "Press [Key] for BIOS/UEFI Settings". According to the reference, common keys include ESC, F1, F2, F8 or F10. Other common keys can be F12 (for a boot menu) or DEL.
- Tip: This screen usually flashes quickly, so you might need to press the key repeatedly as soon as you see the manufacturer's logo.
Here are some common keys used by different manufacturers:
| Manufacturer | Common BIOS/UEFI Key | Common Boot Menu Key |
|---|---|---|
| Dell | F2 | F12 |
| HP | F10, F1 | F9 |
| Lenovo | F1, F2 | F12 |
| Acer | F2, DEL | F12 |
| ASUS | F2, DEL | F8 |
| Custom PC | DEL, F2 | F12 |
- Enter BIOS Setup: Following step 2 from the reference, choose the option to enter BIOS setup or UEFI settings from the initial menu if presented with multiple choices.
Changing the Boot Order
Once you are inside the BIOS or UEFI setup utility, you need to find the boot order settings.
- Navigate to the BOOT Tab: As mentioned in the reference, use the arrow keys on your keyboard to select the BOOT tab or a section similarly labeled (it might also be under "System Configuration," "Advanced," or "Startup").
- Identify Boot Devices: Within the BOOT section, you will see a list of devices your computer can boot from (e.g., Hard Drive, CD/DVD Drive, USB Drive, Network).
- Prioritize Your Boot Disk: According to the reference, to give a CD or DVD drive boot sequence priority over the hard drive, you need to move it to the first position in the list. Use the keys indicated on the screen (often F5/F6 or Page Up/Page Down) to change the order.
- If you are booting from a USB drive, move "USB Device" or "Removable Devices" to the top of the list.
- If you are booting from a CD or DVD, move "CD-ROM Drive" or "DVD Drive" to the top.
- Save and Exit: Find the option to "Save Changes and Exit" (often mapped to the F10 key, as indicated on the screen). Confirm your choice when prompted.
Booting from the Disk
After saving changes and exiting, your computer will restart. With the boot order changed, it will now attempt to boot from the device you prioritized (your boot disk) before trying to boot from the hard drive. Ensure your boot disk (CD, DVD, or USB) is inserted into the computer before it restarts. If the boot disk is properly created and the BIOS/UEFI settings are correct, the computer will boot from it.
