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Boot Sequence
This feature allows users to change the sequence of devices from which the computer boots.
Option Settings
l Normal — (Available only for the current boot process) The computer attempts to boot from the sequence of devices specified in system setup.
l Diskette Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the floppy drive. If the floppy disk in the drive is not bootable, or if no floppy disk is in the drive,
the computer generates an error message.
l Hard Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the primary hard drive. If no operating system is on the drive, the computer generates an error
message.
l CD Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the CD drive. If no CD is in the drive, or if the CD has no operating system, the computer generates an
error message.
l PXE — As the computer boots, press <F3> to display a menu that allows you to select a method for booting from a network server. If a boot routine is
not available from the network server, the system attempts to boot from the next device in the boot sequence list.
l USB Flash Device — Insert the memory device into a USB port and restart the computer. When F12 = Boot Menu appears in the upper-right corner of
the screen, press <F12>. The BIOS detects the key and adds the USB key option to the boot menu.
Changing Boot Sequence for the Current Boot
You can use this feature, for example, to tell the computer to boot from the CD drive so you can run the Dell Diagnostics, but specify that the computer boots
from the hard drive when the diagnostic tests are complete.
If you wait too long and the Windows logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Windows desktop, then shut down your computer and try again.
1. Turn on or restart your computer.
2. When F2 = Setup, F12 = Boot Menu appears in the upper-right corner of the screen, press <F12>.
The Boot Device Menu appears, listing all available boot devices. Each device has a number next to it.
3. At the bottom of the menu, enter the number of the device that is to be used for the current boot only.
Changing Boot Sequence for Future Boots
1. Enter system setup.
2. Use the arrow keys to highlight the Boot Sequence menu option and press <Enter> to access the pop-up menu.
3. Press the up- and down-arrow keys to move through the list of devices.
4. Press the spacebar to enable or disable a device (enabled devices have a checkmark).
Keys
Action
<Tab> or down arrow
Moves to the next field.
<Shift>, <Tab> or up arrow
Moves to the previous field.
back arrow or forward arrow
Cycles through the options in a field. In many fields, you can also type the appropriate value.
<Page Down> or <Page Up>
Scrolls through help information.
<Enter>
Enters the selected field's pop-up options menu.
spacebar, <=> or <->
In the selected field's pop-up options menu, cycles through the options in a field.
<Alt> <x>
Exits system setup without restarting the computer and returns the computer to the boot routine.
<Alt> <b>
Exits system setup and restarts the computer, implementing any changes you have made.
<Alt> <d>
Resets the selected option to the default setting.
<Alt> <f>
Restores all system settings to the default configuration.
NOTE: To boot to a USB Flash Device, the device must be bootable. To make sure your device is bootable, check the device documentation or website.
NOTE: Write down your current boot sequence in case you want to restore it.