Cannot set 1st boot to CD rom

[intogamer]

I need a format
The Bios is locked for the laptop.

Usally when I start up the laptop with the win xp cd in... it would auto boot from cd
but that doesn't happen no more =/

I need a format!

 

[Taz480]

What do you mean your BIOS is locked? Neither of mine lock.....😵
Who locked it?
Anyway, you can start the installation from inside Windows. Rclick the cd drive and choose AutoRun. Then click Install Windows XP. Make sure to choose the Advanced Installation from the dropdown menu, not Upgrade. I believe this method will still do a format before installation.

 

[intogamer]

Originally posted by: Taz480
What do you mean your BIOS is locked? Neither of mine lock.....😵
Who locked it?
Anyway, you can start the installation from inside Windows. Rclick the cd drive and choose AutoRun. Then click Install Windows XP. Make sure to choose the Advanced Installation from the dropdown menu, not Upgrade. I believe this method will still do a format before installation.

The thing is... I have the one with SP2 installed. But I have regular XP Pro cd... so I can't do it like that...

 

[Erasertone]

do you mean win xp wont start?and you can't access the settings in the BIOS?

 

[Taz480]

Originally posted by: intogamer


The thing is... I have the one with SP2 installed. But I have regular XP Pro cd... so I can't do it like that...

Do you mean that the CD you have is a SP1 disc that wont let you install that way cuz it sees SP2 as a newer version?
What about the BIOS? How is it locked? I'm curious. Does it have an Administator password to enter BIOS?

 

[intogamer]

Yeah I only have a SP1 disc now.. but I have XP SP2 installed so it wont' let me do it by windows

The Dell Laptop locks the bios for ppls to mess around wif.

Usally it would just boot from the Windows XP cd... but I doesn't do that now 🙁

 

[Taz480]

Did you buy this lappy new? If it has booted from CD before but won't now, how would it get changed if the BIOS is locked? Maybe you could get a hold of Dell and see if they know how to get into it. I've never had a computer that I couldn't get into the BIOS so Im afraid Im not of much help. Sorry. Is this like an off-lease unit? I got one off of ebay that was off-lease, an Inspiron 8000 but it's BIOS wasn't locked. Hmm, Im trying to understand that one. Would be nice to know how to get into it when its locked. Wish I was more helpful. 🙁

 

[JasonE4]

If nothing else, you can slipstream sp2 into your sp1 disk (using nLite is the easiest way) and then start the install within Windows.