How do I change boot sequence in Dell BIOS?
#1
 Thoughtful Skeptic Show
Posted 05 May 2014 - 02:22 PM I recently (April 2014) bought a Dell Inspiron 15 computer (4GB of Ram and 500GB hard drive) with Windows 8 installed. I have created a backup image of the OS and also burned a bootable disk so that I can reinstall Windows 8 at a future date. My old computer (which uses Win XP) permits me to change the boot order sequence by using the f12 key during the startup process to access the BIOS and then edit the boot order sequence so that the machine boots from a DVD or USB drive. This makes it possible to restore a backup image from a previous date or even to use a different OS, e.g. Linux. My problem is that the f12 key does not work on the new machine and I do not know how to create a boot order sequence that will permit me to boot from a DVD or USB drive instead of the hard drive. So at this point, I cannot use the bootable recovery disk that I prepared. I understand that there is now UEFI technology that controls booting. Question: How can I make make the new computer boot from a DVD or USB drive? Thanks in advance. Regards, Thoughtful Skeptic Edited by hamluis, 05 May 2014 - 02:40 PM. BC AdBot (Login to Remove)
#2 dc3dc3
Arachibutyrophobia
Posted 05 May 2014 - 02:59 PM Immediately after pressing the power button start tapping the f2 key until the BIOS opens. Be sure to change the BIOS to Legacy, then change the boot order to what you need. Press f10 to save the changes, you may be asked to press Y to confirm your choice, the exit the BIOS. Family and loved ones will always be a priority in my daily life. You never know when one will leave you. #3 AgoutiAgouti
Posted 05 May 2014 - 04:34 PM
1. No need to use a backup disk or USB, the Reset feature in Windows 8 will return your system to its factory state. Nevertheless, an extra backup image is always recommended in case the OEM restore partition gets corrupted. 2. On different brand computers the key to press to access the UEFI/BIOS firmware is different. From what I see on the 'net F2 is the key you should use. Also, even after setting the UEFI firmware to Legacy you still may not see an option to boot from an optical drive unless a disk is already in the tray. On some computers you can also press F12 of F11 to choose a device to boot from. You should enquire from Dell and find out what these keys are. #4 Thoughtful SkepticThoughtful Skeptic
Posted 31 May 2014 - 07:38 PM Thank you DC3 and Agouti for your replies. When switching on the power, my computer sometimes displays a message ‘f2 for setup’ and sometimes it does not. However, trial and error shows me that f2 works, even if there is no message, providing that I press f2 IMMEDIATELY. To change the ORDER of the boot mode sequence I do the following
The computer then successfully boots from the DVD drive and loads the backup program. The problem is that when I exit from the backup program and remove the DVD, the machine goes into a loop. Instead of booting Win 8 from the hard drive, the computer freezes and does not respond to any keystrokes. So the machine does not actually follow the boot sequence. The only way to continue is to shut off the power, restart, press f2 during the startup process, enter setup and then change the boot option back from Legacy to UEFI. Although this is not what I wanted, it does permit me to boot from a DVD which was the objective. Presumably, f2 is available even if Win 8 fails. The Windows 8 reset feature is definitely an excellent way to get out of trouble if there is an incurable problem but I question whether that obviates the need for a backup image. After some time, I would be restoring to a factory state from (possibly) years before. I would need to reinstall the Win 8.1 update and all subsequent updates together with all my programs added over the years. In addition all the data would be lost and although backed up there would still be some labor to reinstall. It seems to me easier to keep all the data on a separate partition and make a fresh backup image of the OS every few months. Then, if there is trouble, simply restore the OS and the data is unaffected. Once again, thank you both for your help. Regards, Thoughtful Skeptic #5 wpgwpgwpgwpg
Posted 31 May 2014 - 07:49 PM
What I do is to back up my system to an external hard drive using Easeus Todo Backup Free. It works like a charm with everything from XP to Windows 8.1. You can make a CD to boot it up if you need to do a restore and can't boot Windows for some reason. Everyone with a computer should back his system up to an external hard drive regularly. #6 PlumberPlumber
Posted 16 October 2015 - 11:52 AM FWIW I have a Dell puter also and if you just want to boot from CD,put in your bootable disc,restart and tap theF12 key.It will then give you that option,works everytime for me.Hope this helps.One other thing also that I've found on mine,if you don't change the boot order back it will loop on restart.Don't know if that's a Dell thing or not. That is why I don't try to change the boot order. Edited by Plumber, 16 October 2015 - 11:55 AM. Can you change boot sequence in BIOS?You can configure the boot order from the Advanced tab in the BIOS settings menu. Use the following the steps to configure the boot order on most computers: Turn on or restart the computer. While the display is blank, press the f10 key to enter the BIOS settings menu.
How do I change my Dell boot mode from Legacy to UEFI?You can resolve this issue by returning the system to the UEFI boot mode.. From a power off state, power the system on and press F2 to boot into the BIOS setup menu.. Select "Boot sequence". Change the option from "Legacy" to "UEFI", then select "Apply" in the right lower corner.. How do I change the boot order in UEFI?From the System Utilities screen, select System Configuration > BIOS/Platform Configuration (RBSU) > Boot Options > UEFI Boot Order and press Enter. Use the arrow keys to navigate within the boot order list. Press the + key to move an entry higher in the boot list.
How do I select boot options on a Dell?At the Dell logo screen, tap the F12 function key rapidly. You can see Preparing one-time boot menu that appears in the top-right corner of the screen. At the boot menu, select the device under UEFI BOOT that matches your media type (USB or DVD).
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