DaffyDŽ wrote:
> I'm running Windows XP SP3 and I tried inserting the setup CD to test out
> the recovery console but even after going into the BIOS to configure the
> computer to boot from the DVD drive, it only boots from the hard drive to
> Windows. I tried the same experiment by setting the computer to boot from
> the floppy drive but again it booted from the hard drive straight into
> Windows. My computer was assembled by a tech at my former place of
> employment so it's not a brand name. What more information do I need to
> provide for help in fixing this? Thanks.
When you make the BIOS changes, are you using "Save and Exit" as the last
step ? When you go into the BIOS the next time, is the boot order still
as you modified it earlier ?
In your floppy test case, do you hear/see any response from the floppy
drive at all ? That would tell you it is plugged in. If you want something
to test it with, you could always prepare a memtest86+ floppy. The floppy
installer here, does a sector by sector copy of the memtest program, onto
a blank floppy. The floppy ends up with no file system, so you can't even
list the floppy once it is prepared. But it should boot into a 640x480
testing screen.
http://www.memtest.org
Normally, I'd suggest identifying the motherboard, but really, they
should all work more or less the same, when it comes to preparing
a BIOS boot order, and having the motherboard respect that order.
For example, mine is set to Floppy, CDROM, Hard drive, and then in a
separate menu, the three hard drives are prioritized. I also have the
option of pressing F10, to make a dynamic boot decision at startup. Not
all BIOS support the "pop-up boot" menu idea, of selecting the boot
device on the fly.
Paul