Can't boot from CDROM

robertjc

Member
When I had an XP computer I made a CDROM with memtest86 on it. I was able to boot from it.

I have a different computer, with Vista, and I can't boot from the CD. Vista seems to be ignoring the CD in the drive. What can I do to boot from the CD??

Thanks
 

My Computer

I think I'm supposed to access BIOS setup by pressing a certain key during startup. However, Vista displays no mention of which keys to press during startup.

Isn't there a way to setup BIOS (to change the boot order) without pressing something during startup?
 

My Computer

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
Welcome
This tutorial should help you access the BIOS
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/205005-boot-priority-change.html
Dont know of another way.
If you have problems, let me know the make and model of your computer (soon) so I can help.

Thanks for that - I thought I might want to run memtest but I'm not sure if I need to.

Why would Vista not be setup to check the CD drive every time you start up?
Wouldn't most people want it to check that, if they do need to start from a CD?
 

My Computer

BIOS has a boot order and as soon as it finds a way to boot, it stops looking and boots.
If HD is set as the first, if BIOS finds a HD, it stops looking and boots.
If it did not, where would the computer boot from?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
BIOS has a boot order and as soon as it finds a way to boot, it stops looking and boots.
If HD is set as the first, if BIOS finds a HD, it stops looking and boots.
If it did not, where would the computer boot from?

I thought most computers were setup to check for a CDROM first, in case the user wants to boot from a CD. Then, if no CD found, it will use the HD.
 

My Computer

I thought that it went per the boot order. I know on some computer, during boot it says press any key to boot from a CD. As a rule, however its the boot order that governs.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
Back
Top