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Article Number: 000124391

How to Enable Boot from CD or DVD Option with UEFI Boot Mode Enabled

Summary: Learn how to enable boot from CD or DVD option in UEFI BIOS with UEFI boot mode enabled. If your computer with UEFI BIOS is unable to boot to DVD or CD, follow the instructions below to add the optical drive to the boot list. ...

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Article Content

Symptoms

NOTE: Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) replaces the legacy BIOS firmware interface. For more information, see Unified Extensible Firmware Interface Wiki This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies..

Cause

Applies to computers with the below specifications and settings:

  • Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 8 computer with boot mode set to UEFI.
  • Computers with Optical drive such as CD, DVD or Blu-ray.
NOTE: For instructions to boot from USB, see the Dell knowledge-base article How to create and use the Dell Recovery and Restore USB drive.

Resolution

Adding CD/DVD boot option manually in BIOS

NOTE: See the Dell knowledge-base article Access UEFI (BIOS) System Setup from Windows on your Dell Computer for alternate way to access the BIOS from within Windows.
NOTE: BIOS on your computer may not appear same as images shown in this article. Every Dell computer has a BIOS specific to its needs and they are all updated regularly.

Expand the sections below according to the BIOS type of your computer.

 
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Steps are provided below:

NOTE: In the File System List field, select the option that has "CD" at the end.
Example: "PciRoot (0x0)/Pci (0x1F, 0x2)/Sata(0x3,0x0,0x0)/CD"
  1. Tap F2 key at the Dell logo screen to enter System Setup or BIOS.
  2. On the left pane, click Boot Configuration.
    Boot Configuration on UEFI BIOS left pane
    Figure 1: Boot Configuration on UEFI BIOS left pane
  3. Scroll down to view Secure Boot setting.
  4. Ensure that Secure boot is set to OFF. (See Figure 2 [English Only])
    UEFI_BIOS_Boot_Select
    Figure 2: Secure Boot Off
  5. Scroll up to Boot Sequence section, and click Add Boot Option. (See Figure 3 [English Only])
    Add Boot Option
    Figure 3: Add Boot Option
  6. A new window appears with blank boot options.
    1. Click Browse for file.
    2. Select device → folder → file from the list.
    3. PciRoot..ESP. For example, EFI\Boot\bootx64.efi
    4. Click OK.
  7. Type CD/DVD/CD-RW Drive in Boot Option Name field.
    Add boot option fields
    Figure 4: Add boot option name
    • Leave the File Name entry blank.
    • Click OK.
      NOTE: If the option for CD/DVD/CD-RW Drive is not present, then the drive may not be detected by the computer hardware. Try physically reseating the drive where possible or swap with drive of another computer to rule out the drive as the cause of any failure.
  8. Click Exit.
  9. The computer will restart.
    NOTE: Alternatively, if you see an on-screen message to Press any key to boot from CD/DVD, press any key to proceed.
  10. Tap the F12 key on startup for boot menu, DVD option will be there under UEFI.

To add the DVD Boot option manually in Dell Phoenix BIOS setup.

Steps are provided below:

  1. Boot mode should be selected as UEFI (Not Legacy).
  2. Secure Boot set to Off
    NOTE: If the computer is not set to boot to UEFI, change it from the BIOS (F2) during startup or from the One-Time Boot (F12) menu.
  3. Go to the 'Boot' tab in the BIOS and select Add Boot option. (see Figure 5 [English Only])
    Add Boot Option
    Figure 5: Add Boot Option
  4. A new window will appear with 'blank' boot option name. (see Figure 6 [English Only])
    Add boot option fields
    Figure 6: Add boot option fields
  5. Name it "CD/DVD/CD-RW Drive"
    NOTE: In the File System List field, select the option with "CD" at the end.
    Example: "PciRoot (0x0)/Pci (0x1F, 0x2)/Sata(0x3,0x0,0x0)/CD"
    1. Leave the File Name entry blank.
    2. Now using Tab key, select YES, and press ENTER.
    Add boot option fields
    Figure 7: Add boot option fields
    NOTE: If the option for CD/DVD/CD-RW Drive is not present, then the drive may not be detected by the computer hardware. Try physically reseating the drive where possible or swap with another computer drive to rule out the drive as the cause of any failure.
  6. Press F10 key to save settings and restart.
  7. The computer will restart.

  8. Press the F12 key on startup for boot menu, DVD option will be there under UEFI.

NOTE: Alternatively, if you see an on-screen message to Press any key to boot from CD/DVD, press any key to proceed.
NOTE: If you are still unable to boot from the Windows reinstallation CD or DVD or if the CD or DVD is corrupt, browse to the Dell OS Recovery Tool page to download and create a Windows recovery or reinstallation disc for your computer.

Additional Information

Related Articles

Out of Warranty support Out of warranty? No problem. Go to the Dell.com/support website and enter your Dell Service Tag and view our offers.

NOTE: Offers are only available for US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, and China computer customers. Server and Storage not applicable.

Article Properties

Affected Product

Desktops & All-in-Ones, Laptops

Last Published Date

24 Apr 2023

Version

13

Article Type

Solution

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