Booting sequence changed by itself

[sheana]

My computer, running WinXP, would give me an "invalid disk error" if I
accidentally left a CD in the CD tray. Now I'm assuming something has
changed in the boot sequence, because it no longer gives me an error message
if I leave a disk in.

I don't think this is good because I want the PC to look for the D: drive
first on bootup in case my C: drive fails. Can you tell me how to:

1.Check the boot sequence
2. Change the boot sequence from C: to D:

Thanks in advance,

sheana

 

[Tim Meddick]

This is not set in XP but in the computers BIOS program before XP starts.
Usually you get a notice before the XP logo saying something like 'press F1
to enter setup' - this is what you must look for (and press) to get into a
BIOS setup program that will give you an option to set the order of boot
devices (i.e. floppy, HD or CD-ROM). The "invalid disk error" is not
relevant to the boot device sequence. It is more likely to be due to the
Windows setting "install location sources"

 

[Jose]

My computer, running WinXP, would give me an "invalid disk error" if I
accidentally left a CD in the CD tray. Now I'm assuming something has
changed in the boot sequence, because it no longer gives me an error message
if I leave a disk in.

I don't think this is good because I want the PC to look for the D: drive
first on bootup in case my C: drive fails. Can you tell me how to:

1.Check the boot sequence
2. Change the boot sequence from C: to D:

Thanks in advance,

sheana

It is a BIOS setting, where to try to boot first, like Mr. Meddick
says.

You can shave femptoseconds off your XP boot time by telling your BIOS
to start looking at the hard disk first, thus skipping even checking
the CD drive for anything, plus eliminating that annoying empty HD
buzz every time you reboot.

If you can, set the BIOS to look for hard disk, CD, floppy - in that
order.

If you ever really WANT to boot from a CD (if your HD fails or you
really need to boot on your Windows CD), you might have to change it
back manually, or your BIOS may try the CD by itself if the hard disk
ever won't boot.

 

[sheana]

Tim,

Thanks for your helpful response. By the way, what are "install location
sources"? Thanks again,

sheana