How do I set my computer up so I don't have to hit F-8?

[BroadbandGamer]

Is there a way to set up my computer so I don't have to sit by my computer and hit F-8 when I turn it on?

 

[Forsythe]

GRUB?

 

[Slikkster]

Not sure why you would need to hit F8...don't you have a default OS that loads in boot.ini?

 

[Brazen]

You'll probably want to do this through Vista, not XP:

1. Right-click 'My Computer' and choose properties.
2. Click the advanced tab.
3. Click 'Startup and Recover.'
4. ...
5. Run amok.

 

[BroadbandGamer]

Originally posted by: Slikkster
Not sure why you would need to hit F8...don't you have a default OS that loads in boot.ini?

I want it to stop at the boot menu so I can pick which OS to load. If I do nothing XP loads.

 

[Slikkster]

Go into XP (or Vista) and right-click on the "My Computer" icon. Left-click on Properties. You'll get the System Properties box on the screen. Click Advanced. Click Startup and Recovery Settings.

You'll see a checkbox next to "Time to display list of operating systems". Click the down arrow until you get past "0". It should go to "999" right after zero. That's 999 seconds of countdown time until your default OS will boot. Click OK, and exit the System Properties box.

That's over 16 minutes of time sitting on the screen counting down.

I don't know why you would need more time than that. That appears to be the max (999).

Then, anytime during this countdown time, you can choose your OS with the arrow keys and hit Enter.