question about Dell XPS 410 computer

[hclarkjr]

a friend just recently bought the above mentioned computer and wants me to install windows without all the stuff Dell preinstalls, the only problem is that there is no option to boot to CD-DVD-ROM on the boot menu when i press F12. i did some reading with the Dell support CD and seen where you can press CTRL + F11 for a factory restore to original condition but i want to wipe everything and just install windows. anybody know how to do this? thank you in advance for your help

 

[bwatson283]

You have to go into the bios itself and not just on the f12 boot menu. You have to press ESC or F1 or whatever it says to into the bios. The boot order has to be changed in there.

 

[hclarkjr]

nope, went into there also, that is one of the options on boot menu. the DVD-RW is listed and being seen so i know it is there.

 

[hclarkjr]

up

 

[Trashman]

check here

 

[hclarkjr]

so from reading that i think that DVD's are not bootable then?

 

[Trashman]

change 1st boot device to your cd/dvd-rom drive.

not sure what ya mean by dvd's are not bootable?

 

[hclarkjr]

i did change the boot sequence to the that setting, it said no boot device found. i know the DVD works as i tested it on my computer.

 

[Trashman]

so it boots straight into windows..even though you have your winxp cd in dvd drive?

 

[hclarkjr]

no, when i select the option to boot to CD and press enter i get error no boot device found and sets there. you have to manualy reboot computer to get back to windows

 

[Trashman]

ah ok i getcha.

so in the boot device menu it does show the dvd drive and hard drive, maybe floppy if you have one.
in manual it says:
Each device has a number next to it
At the bottom of the menu, enter the number of the device that is to be used for the current boot only.
after doing that, thats when you get the error no boot device found ?

 

[Trashman]

it's been a long day, i thought i understood you, but after thinking more about this, maybe i didn't.
this isn't about changing boot order in bios....this is about your cd we are talking here...you put cd in drive boot up, it asks if you wanna boot off of cd or hard drive...you chose cd and it says no boot device.....am i getting closer now?

 

[hclarkjr]

right, in the bios the hard drive and DVD-RW are both seen, the hard drive is sata0 and the DVD-RW is sata1. i am begining to think it is a sata issue