Vista - Making the DVD ROm drive the Boot drive?

I've got to reinstall Vista. My only BIOS settings are CD-ROM, no option for
DVD drive. Bios is latest avaliable. Is my only option to open the case and
disconnect the CD-drive? I assume that then the BIOS would see the DVD drive
as a CD drive and boot the DVD from that?

"dnelms" <dnelms@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:456A4EDD-E4C1-4941-AD9A-9222F58D4185@xxxxxx
It doesn't matter.. If you set CD first, it scans for whatever optical drive
is fitted and has bootable media in the tray..


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So are you saying that I'd have to disconnect the CD drive so that the only
optical drive is the DVD drive? Because it looks at the CD, which has no
media, then the HD. I guess if I do that, I'll have to hook the CD drive back
up after reinstall so the system will pick it up.

Thsi is a PIA to not be able to just reinstall from the DVD drive directly
(it's an upgrade DVD). Thia Vista install has worked perfectly until a couple
of days ago.


"Mike Hall - MVP" wrote:

"dnelms" <dnelms@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:9CE41536-0B3A-48BB-BECB-E04BC32B3195@xxxxxx
Are you saying that it never checks the DVD drive?


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That is correct. Even double checked the BIOS settings to make sure HD was
not the first boot. The CD drive flickers, then the DVD drive flickers, but
then it goes to the HD. If I let it boot to Vista, I can go the DVD and see
all the files, so I know it is working. A stupid question, but I'll ask
anyway. This is an upgrade DVD with SP1 already on it. There is not a chance
that MS plugged up the hole that allowed a boot install to trial , then
reinstall for good as the workaround for a clean install for an upgrade DVD?

"Mike Hall - MVP" wrote:

Hi dnelms,

Try tapping the enter key when the dvd light flickers.

You might also try washing the dvd gently with dish washing detergent and your fingertips, rinse thoroughly, dry gently and thoroughly with a hairdryer on a low heat.

You could also test the dvd drive with another bootable cd/dvd - see if it boots.

Hope it helps

SIW2

Yes, double and triple checked it.

"dnelms" <dnelms@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:89431CCB-2360-4A5A-93BF-9F8B32592852@xxxxxx
I would suggest then that there may be a read problem with your DVD drive.

Either that or you are not pressing a key when asked. You should get a "Boot
from CD" message followed by a request to press any key. If you fail to
press a key, it will then move to the HDD..


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hI dnelms,

My BIOS shows my dvd drive as a cdrom drive.

I use the Boot pop-up menu to select the boot device. See if you get this option.

When you start up, first thing listed in white on the black screen is your graphics card, then

F2 for setup
F11 for boot menu

Press F11 - you need to be quick ( you might have different F numbers )

Pop-up boot menu appears, arrow down to second cdrom device and press Enter.

It might ask again "press any key to boot from cdrom " - press Enter again.

Hope this helps

SIW2

I'd like thank everyone for their comments and advice. My DVD drive is fine,
plays, reads etc. I've tried changing BIOS settings, changing setup as it
goes thru POST, etc. Nothing works to get this boot. I'm going to just pop
the machine open tonight and disconnect the CD so the DVD will be the only
optical drive found. Thanks again.

"dnelms" wrote: