Changing boot sequence in Dimension 8400

Question

I have recently upgraded my MCE dimension 8400 (XP) to Vista Ultimate. I would like to change it back to XP and the system won't save the boot sequence. I have set up the boot sequence by CD ROM and when I save it it comes back with Windows Vista. I would like to boot my system with the XP Cd that I have to format my system and to put XP back. Why the system is not accepting the boot? I use to do Ctrl F11 to put back XP but I can't even put this. Please help.... Am i doing something wrong or am i Missing something.   Tks

en33955 · Answer

Tks.... I already did that and I receive the following message: Hit F1 to retry or hit F2 to run setup utility   it won't let me boot from the CD Rom

gdwrnch3 · Answer

try this, Put your XP disk in your cd rom, restart, hit , select boot from cd rom, then press any key to boot from cd rom, it should boot to the XP setup disk.

Mary G · Answer

Make sure you are putting the cd in the upper tray, which is the master drive. On my 8400 it is the DVD drive.

en33955 · Answer

I did. I tried in both of them and same message. It's like Vista took over the system. I use to click on Ctrl F11 on start up and reload XP. There should be a way to format my system and reinstal XP. I can't figure it out.....

en33955 · Answer

I would like to add one more thing. When I go to PF12, i get 2 choices: OnBoard SATA hard drive and OnBoard or USB CD Rom Drive   When I select and save the OnBoard or USB CD Rom Drive, i get the following message: 'Selected Boot Device not available'   any help please!!!!!

C3PO5 · Answer

Hi en33955

You may have got it by now if not do this.

Restart PC F2 to bios EDIT use the up or down keys to boot sequence push enter use u or d to move CD/DVD up or down to # one spot enter to to save , esc to save /exit
and be sure to check to see if CD/DVD is turned on in bios at bottom of drive section under pata.

If it is not turn on set to on reboot start the upper sequence again.

If that does not work make sure you have the pins on the back of the CD\DVD drives are set to cable select .

It works for me .

Good Luck

Message Edited by C3PO5 on 05-27-2007 01:11 PM

en33955 · Answer

Where do you mean exactly 'press any key'?

Chrissy11 · Answer

You may just need to make sure you're 'pressing any key' quick enough

Chrissy11 · Answer

Sorry for being unclear. Your OS disk is in your CD-Rom and you reboot, press f12, then select 'boot from cd', but when you hit enter, there will be a prompt that shows up pretty briefly saying 'hit any key to boot from CD Rom'. You only have a few seconds to do this or it boots as it normally would from your hard drive. So, when you hit return, put your hand on the space bar and get ready to start hitting it as soon as you see the 'hit any key' prompt. I'm not sure if this is your issue, but it might be.

Message Edited by Chrissy11 on 05-28-2007 03:02 PM

Windows General

Changing boot sequence in Dimension 8400

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