Download ArticleDownload ArticleThis article was co-authored by How.com.vn staff writer, Jack Lloyd. Jack Lloyd is a Technology Writer and Editor for How.com.vn. He has over two years of experience writing and editing technology-related articles. He is technology enthusiast and an English teacher.
The How.com.vn Tech Team also followed the article's instructions and verified that they work.
This article has been viewed 1,004,074 times.
Learn more...
This How.com.vn article will teach you how to start your computer from a CD or DVD rather than from the computer's internal hard drive. The process is a little different depending on whether you're using a Windows PC or a Mac. Booting from a disc can be helpful if you're trying to install a different operating system on your computer or having trouble booting into the standard operating system.
Things You Should Know
- If you're using a Windows PC, you may need to boot into the BIOS first to make sure you can boot from CD or DVD.
- If your PC or Mac doesn't have a CD or DVD drive, you can connect an external drive.
Steps
Insert the CD or DVD into your computer. To do so, place the disc logo side-up in your computer's CD or DVD-ROM tray.
Boot your computer into the BIOS or UEFI. Before you can boot from a CD or DVD, make sure the computer's boot sequence is set to boot from a removable disc before the hard drive. To get started, you'll have to boot into your PC's BIOS. There are two ways to do this:- The first option is to reboot your computer and immediately press the setup key repeatedly until you've reached the BIOS. This key is usually F2, Del, F10, or F1. If you're not sure, Google your PC model and "BIOS setup key."
- Windows 10: Press Windows key + i, go to Update & Security > Recovery, and click Restart Now under "Advanced Startup."
- Windows 11: Press Windows key + i, go to System > Recovery, and click Restart Now under "Advanced Startup.
- Once you're at the blue Advanced Options screen, click UEFI Firmware Settings and then click Restart.
Advertisement
Navigate to the Boot tab. You'll use the arrow keys to select it.- The Boot tab may instead say Boot Options, depending on your computer's manufacturer.
Select the CD-ROM Drive option. To do so, press the ↓ arrow until this option has a box around it.- This may be called DVD-ROM or Optical Drive.
Press the + key until CD-ROM Drive is first. This will place it at the top of the boot options list.- You may have to press a different key as indicated by the key legend on the far-right side of the BIOS screen.
Save your settings. You should see a key prompt (e.g., F10) at the bottom of the screen that correlates to "Save and Exit"; pressing it will restart your computer, using the CD drive as a reboot point.- You may have to press ↵ Enter to confirm the changes.
Insert the CD or DVD into your computer. To do so, slide the disc logo side-up into the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM slot on your Mac. The CD must have a version of Mac OS on it to qualify as a boot option.- Some Macs don't have CD slots. If your Mac doesn't have a CD slot, you'll need to purchase an external CD drive.
Click. It's in the upper-left corner of the screen.
Click Restart. This option is at the bottom of the Apple menu.
Click Restart when prompted. Doing so will cause your Mac to begin restarting.
Hold down the ⌘ Command key. You'll need to hold down ⌘ Command as soon as your Mac begins restarting, and keep holding it until the Startup Manager window appears.
Click the CD icon. It will typically say something like "Mac OS X Install DVD" below it. Clicking this icon selects it.
Press ⏎ Return. Doing so will prompt your Mac to boot from the CD drive.
Community Q&A
- QuestionI can't remember my password to boot my Toshiba laptop. What can I do?
Community AnswerIf you have Windows, boot your computer and immediately press on the F8 key repeatedly until your computer displays the boot menu. Choose Safe Mode using the arrow keys and press Enter. On the home screen, click on Administrator. Click on the Start menu in the bottom left corner, go in the Control Panel, then in User Accounts you can change any user passwords easily. - QuestionHow do I reboot and select the proper boot device?
Community AnswerFor most computers, when you turn them on, the boot options are displayed. They could be F1,F2,F3,F4, etc., and there should be an option to boot from hard drive, CD, etc. - QuestionMy computer won't open in that condition. How can I boot my computer system?
Sujan ShresthaCommunity AnswerEnter the bios by pressing the F2 key, and select the first boot.
Tips
About This Article
1.Insert the CD.
2.Click the Start menu.
3.Click the Power icon.
4.Click Restart.
5.Press either the Del or F2 key when the PC restarts.
6.Go to the BIOS Boot tab.
7.Set your CDROM drive as the primary boot drive.
8.Save and reboot.
Is this article up to date?
⚠️ Disclaimer:
Content from Wiki How English language website. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License; additional terms may apply.
Wiki How does not encourage the violation of any laws, and cannot be responsible for any violations of such laws, should you link to this domain, or use, reproduce, or republish the information contained herein.
- - A few of these subjects are frequently censored by educational, governmental, corporate, parental and other filtering schemes.
- - Some articles may contain names, images, artworks or descriptions of events that some cultures restrict access to
- - Please note: Wiki How does not give you opinion about the law, or advice about medical. If you need specific advice (for example, medical, legal, financial or risk management), please seek a professional who is licensed or knowledgeable in that area.
- - Readers should not judge the importance of topics based on their coverage on Wiki How, nor think a topic is important just because it is the subject of a Wiki article.
