Boot menu, Option settings, Selecting the boot device for the current boot – Dell Precision 490 User Manual

Page 19: Changing boot sequence for future boots

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Boot Menu

This feature allows you to change the boot sequence for devices.

 

Option Settings

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Onboard or USB Floppy Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the floppy drive. If the floppy disk in the drive is not bootable, if no floppy disk is

in the drive, or if there is no floppy drive installed in the computer, the computer generates an error message.

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Hard Drive (listed by serial number when in AHCI mode) — The computer attempts to boot from the selected hard drive.

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Onboard or USB CD-ROM Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the CD-ROM drive. If no CD is in the drive, or if the CD has no operating

system, the computer generates an error message.

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USB 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 device and adds the USB option to the boot menu.

 

Selecting the Boot Device for the Current Boot

You can use this feature, for example, to restart your computer to a USB device such as a floppy drive, memory key, or CD-RW drive.

 

1.

If you are booting to a USB device, connect the USB device to a USB connector (see

About Your Computer

).


 

2.

Turn on (or restart) your computer.

 

3.

When F2 = Setup, F12 = Boot Menu appears in the upper-right corner of the screen, press <F12>.

If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft Windows desktop. Then shut down your
computer (see

Turning Off Your Computer

) and try again.

A menu appears.

 

4.

Use the up- and down-arrow keys to navigate to Boot Device Menu, then press <Enter> to select the option.

 

5.

The Boot Device Menu appears, listing all available boot devices.

 

6.

Use the up- and down-arrow keys to navigate to the device (that is to be used for the current boot only).

 

7.

Press <Enter> to select the device.

For example, if you are booting to a USB memory key, highlight USB Device and press <Enter>.

 

Changing Boot Sequence for Future Boots

 

1.

Enter the system setup program (see

System Setup

).


 

2.

Use the arrow keys to highlight the Boot Sequence menu option and press <Enter> to access the menu.

 

Keyboard

Errors

When set to Report (enabled) and an error is detected during
POST, the BIOS will display the error message and prompt you to
press <F1> to continue or press <F2> to enter the system setup
program.

When set to Do Not Report (disabled) and an error is detected
during POST, the BIOS will display the error message and
continue booting the system.

NOTE:

In AHCI mode, all bootable hard drives are listed, not just the boot drive.

NOTE:

To boot to a USB device, the device must be bootable. To make sure that your device is bootable, check the device documentation.

NOTE:

If you are booting to a USB floppy drive, you must first set the Diskette Drive to USB in system setup (see 

System Setup Options

).

NOTE:

To boot to a USB device, the device must be bootable. To make sure your device is bootable, check the device documentation.

NOTE:

Write down your current boot sequence in case you want to restore it.

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