Changing the Boot Sequence

The boot sequence, or boot order, tells the computer where to look to find the software needed to start the operating system. You can control the boot sequence and enable/disable devices using the Boot Order page of the system setup program.

NOTE: To change the boot sequence on a one-time-only basis, see "Performing a One-Time Boot" on page 153.

The Boot Order page displays a general list of the bootable devices that may be installed in your computer, including but not limited to the following:

Diskette Drive

Internal HDD

USB Storage Device

CD/DVD/CD-RW drive

Modular bay HDD

NOTE: Only devices that are preceded by a number are bootable.

During the boot routine, the computer starts at the top of the list and scans each enabled device for the operating system start-up files. When the computer finds the files, it stops searching and starts the operating system.

To control the boot devices, select (highlight) a device by pressing the down- arrow or up-arrow key, and then enable or disable the device or change its order in the list.

To enable or disable a device, highlight the item and press the space bar. Enabled items are preceded by a number; disabled items are not preceded by a number.

To reorder a device in the list, highlight the device and press either <u> to move the device up the list or <d> to move a device down the list.

Boot sequence changes take effect as soon as you save the changes and exit the system setup program.

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Appendix

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Image 152
Dell 1000 owner manual Changing the Boot Sequence, 152