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Forum nameThe Computer Forum
Topic subjectnew computer problem
Topic URLhttp://www.pcqanda.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=2&topic_id=566642
566642, new computer problem
Posted by lenjack, Fri Sep-04-20 02:52 AM
Dell xps 8930. I've been through the bios and the boot menu, and maybe I'm missing something, but there appears to be no option for booting from cd or dvd. any ideas?
566643, RE: new computer problem
Posted by Ttech, Fri Sep-04-20 12:22 PM
From power off, press the power button and start tapping the F12 key. You should eventually get the boot menu. This is the same for all Dell computers.
566644, RE: new computer problem
Posted by lenjack, Fri Sep-04-20 01:02 PM
Thanks, but no. Yes, I can easily get in to the boot menu with F12, but is does not have the option to boot from cd/dvd. I've worked with about a dozen computers in 24 years, and this is the first one I've seen, where the boot menu, will not allow that.
566645, RE: new computer problem
Posted by therube, Fri Sep-04-20 04:44 PM
Would F12 display that option if CD is set to disabled in BIOS, Boot, section (F2)?

Check there, F2 at restart, Boot tab & see that CD is set to (not) disabled.

Note, F12 is for (manually) selecting, F2 is for setting.


Otherwise, https://www.google.com/search?rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aunofficial&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&oq=&aqs=&q=dell+8930+boot+order+sequence.


PS: Computer have a CD/DVD ;-)
566646, RE: new computer problem
Posted by lenjack, Fri Sep-04-20 11:44 PM
CD/DVD supplied by Dell as part of this new computer. Already tried what you mentioned. NOWHERE, in the bios, or boot menu, is the cd drive listed. When the computer boots into W10, it is obviously aware it is there, since the drive functions normally in cd and dvd modes.If I can't get it to boot from cd, I will be returning it. I'm appreciative of your efforts.
566647, RE: new computer problem
Posted by lenjack, Sat Sep-05-20 03:00 AM
Just got off the phone with Dell support...40 minutes. Took half of that to get him to understand what I wanted to do. He couldn't do it. We jumped around the bios, until he finally conceded that the cd was not there. He finally said the hardware was working properly as warranteed, and it was a software issue which was not covered, and I could be routed to another department for PAID support. I thanked him for wasting his and my time.
566648, RE: new computer problem
Posted by Ttech, Sat Sep-05-20 03:29 PM
Have you checked to make sure you have the latest BIOS?

Is there a bootable disk inserted in the optical drive when you go to the boot menu? It may not offer the optical drive as a bootable device if there is no bootable disk in it.
566649, RE: new computer problem
Posted by lenjack, Sat Sep-05-20 03:57 PM
Checked and updated to latest bios. No boot disk in drive.

Perhaps I should explain why I want to be able to do this. Weekly, I back up my system to an external hard drive. I use Aomei Backupper, which uses a rescue cd, to access the external hard drive, when needed. I have needed to do this several times in the past few years on my previous computers, and I want to be able to do this on this new Dell system, but I'm unable to do so, if I'm unable to boot from cd.
566650, RE: new computer problem
Posted by Ttech, Sat Sep-05-20 09:57 PM
Quote:
Checked and updated to latest bios. No boot disk in drive.


Can you try it with the Aomei boot disk in the drive before you press F12??? Also I just looked at the website for this product and it states that you can make a bootable USB flash drive. Would that be an option for you?

Another thing to check is to make sure you have Secureboot turned off in BIOS before you try to boot from an optical disk or flash drive.
566651, RE: new computer problem
Posted by lenjack, Sat Sep-05-20 10:25 PM
WOW! That worked. You'd think Dell would make that obvious. Now...that leads to the next problem. My Aomei Backupper screen comes up, but the mouse cursor is frozen. My mouse, actually, trackball, will not work. There is no mouse input. There may or may not be keyboard input. Nerve wracking, as I'm so close. I'm planning to restore my important junk, I mean "stuff", from my prior system on this new setup.
566653, RE: new computer problem
Posted by therube, Mon Sep-07-20 04:29 PM
So it was Secureboot or needing a bootable disk in the drive, first, that was the issue?


How is the mouse connected?
If USB, might try PS2.