It would help to know the specific system model you're referring to, but if you have an option of choosing F2 at boot, and then slecting the CD-ROM drive as your first boot device, that should do it. You may want to refer to your system documentation, as (assuming you have a Dell system) that provides detailed instructions about how to boot to the CD-ROM drive.
sorry, i guess i could have mentioned that. i have a dell dimension 4400. i have tried the f2 while it is starting up and cd is in the drive and i get no response.
Have you referred to your system documentation for instructions on how to configure the system to
boot to the CD-ROM drive? There's more to it than simply hitting F2 at startup, and it's really something that you ought to acquaint yourself with.
ok, sorry i havent made myself clear. ive gone through all the proper channels. ive AQUAINTED myself with my documentation. and i know the steps, here i'll list them for you ! ok, and this is also coming from tech support as well. my problem lies in the fact of actually being able to get to the point where you are choosing the boot sequence of the computer to start at the cd instead of the hard drive
1Insert a bootable CD into your CD drive. 2.Restart the system. 3.When the Dell logo screen appears, press the key to enter the System Setup. 4.Press the key on your keyboard to highlight Boot Sequence. 5.Press the key to display the available boot devices. 6.Press the key or the key to highlight IDE CD-ROM Device. 7.Press the plus <+> key or the minus <-> key on the keyboard to move IDE CD-ROM Device to the top of the list. 8.Press the key. 9.Press the key to Save and Exit. 10.When you are prompted to Save changes and exit now, press the key. Your system will now attempt to boot to the CD that is inserted in the CD drive.
And after performing the above steps we will be able to start the repair process using the cd rom .
Here's where you're going wrong--8.Press the key . 9.Press the key to Save and Exit . Hitting the ESC key cancels all choices. You need to press the Enter key to select and then you must save your changes by using the F10 key. The instructions are on the bios page. Read them all in case your computer uses a diff key than F10 to save.
Do it this way--Reboot and press the Delete key or F2 to enter the bios (setup) then change the boot sequence and SAVE it this time. Do not press the ESC key at all. Press the Enter key instead.
Try installing SP2 again. (you could reload your entire operating system if you like )
I tried a "Repair" option to the operating system and it went back to SP1, but left broken pieces of SP2 behind; and I could not start the computer again!
Im guessing that uninstalling SP2 from 'Add/Remove' Programs also leaves parts of SP2 behind.
Remember if using the "REPAIR" option, donot choose the first Repair option listed: do not use Recovery Console to repair.
Intead press Enter to start the Windows Setup program and choose"R" to start the Repair process.
This wiil save your settings and refresh system files.
im sorry, where im going wrong is i cant physically get to the bios to change the setting. the f2 or del isnt bringing me there. i cant even get there to screw up how to save it.
Did you try pressing and holding the Delete key while rebooting? Timing is everything, so ignore beeps and complaints from the keyboard. Just keep holding the key down as soon as you start rebooting. That works for my 4500. And I see where you got the esc key instructions on the Dell site. I think that be an error, so try following whatever the directions are in the bios Help. There's instructions for accessing help if you can get into setup.
Flooby
2 Intern
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3K Posts
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September 14th, 2004 14:00
Message Edited by Flooby on 09-14-2004 11:30 AM
loplawski
4 Posts
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September 14th, 2004 14:00
Flooby
2 Intern
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3K Posts
0
September 14th, 2004 15:00
loplawski
4 Posts
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September 14th, 2004 15:00
ok, sorry i havent made myself clear. ive gone through all the proper channels. ive AQUAINTED myself with my documentation. and i know the steps, here i'll list them for you ! ok, and this is also coming from tech support as well. my problem lies in the fact of actually being able to get to the point where you are choosing the boot sequence of the computer to start at the cd instead of the hard drive
1Insert a bootable CD into your CD drive.
2.Restart the system.
3.When the Dell logo screen appears, press the key to enter the
System Setup.
4.Press the key on your keyboard to highlight Boot
Sequence.
5.Press the key to display the available boot devices.
6.Press the key or the key to highlight IDE
CD-ROM Device.
7.Press the plus <+> key or the minus <-> key on the keyboard to move
IDE CD-ROM Device to the top of the list.
8.Press the key.
9.Press the key to Save and Exit.
10.When you are prompted to Save changes and exit now, press the
key.
Your system will now attempt to boot to the CD that is inserted in the
CD drive.
And after performing the above steps we will be able to start the
repair process using the cd rom .
Mary G
4 Operator
•
20.1K Posts
0
September 14th, 2004 17:00
Here's where you're going wrong--8.Press the key . 9.Press the key to Save and Exit . Hitting the ESC key cancels all choices. You need to press the Enter key to select and then you must save your changes by using the F10 key. The instructions are on the bios page. Read them all in case your computer uses a diff key than F10 to save.
Do it this way--Reboot and press the Delete key or F2 to enter the bios (setup) then change the boot sequence and SAVE it this time. Do not press the ESC key at all. Press the Enter key instead.
alero90
85 Posts
0
September 14th, 2004 17:00
Try installing SP2 again. (you could reload your entire operating system if you like
)
I tried a "Repair" option to the operating system and it went back to SP1, but left broken pieces of SP2 behind; and I could not start the computer again!
Im guessing that uninstalling SP2 from 'Add/Remove' Programs also leaves parts of SP2 behind.
Remember if using the "REPAIR" option, donot choose the first Repair option listed: do not use Recovery Console to repair.
Intead press Enter to start the Windows Setup program and choose"R" to start the Repair process.
This wiil save your settings and refresh system files.
Message Edited by alero90 on 09-14-2004 02:43 PM
loplawski
4 Posts
0
September 14th, 2004 17:00
Mary G
4 Operator
•
20.1K Posts
0
September 14th, 2004 20:00
Hold everything--I found your problem--your 4400 computer uses F12 not F2 to enter setup!
When the blue Dell logo appears, press immediately.
So hold this down as soon as you reboot and see if that works.
here's the link: http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim4400/solve.htm#1136934
Did you try pressing and holding the Delete key while rebooting? Timing is everything, so ignore beeps and complaints from the keyboard. Just keep holding the key down as soon as you start rebooting. That works for my 4500. And I see where you got the esc key instructions on the Dell site. I think that be an error, so try following whatever the directions are in the bios Help. There's instructions for accessing help if you can get into setup.
Message Edited by Mary G on 09-14-2004 05:25 PM
Message Edited by Mary G on 09-14-2004 05:34 PM