How to Boot a Computer from a CD

This wikiHow teaches you how to start a computer from a CD rather than from the computer's internal hard drive. This is useful if you're trying to install a different operating system on your computer. Insert the CD into your computer. To...
Method 1 of 2:

On Windows

  1. How to Boot a Computer from a CD Picture 1How to Boot a Computer from a CD Picture 1
    Insert the CD into your computer. To do so, place the CD logo side-up in your computer's CD tray. The CD must have a version of Windows on it.
  2. How to Boot a Computer from a CD Picture 2How to Boot a Computer from a CD Picture 2
    Open Start
    How to Boot a Computer from a CD Picture 3How to Boot a Computer from a CD Picture 3
    . Do this by clicking the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen, or by pressing Win.
    1. On Windows 8, place the mouse cursor in the top-right side of the screen, then click the magnifying glass.
  3. How to Boot a Computer from a CD Picture 4How to Boot a Computer from a CD Picture 4
    Click
    How to Boot a Computer from a CD Picture 5How to Boot a Computer from a CD Picture 5
    . It's in the bottom-left corner of the Start window.
  4. How to Boot a Computer from a CD Picture 6How to Boot a Computer from a CD Picture 6
    Click Restart. This option is near the bottom of the pop-up menu.
    1. If you have programs running, you may be prompted to click Restart anyway before you can continue.
  5. How to Boot a Computer from a CD Picture 7How to Boot a Computer from a CD Picture 7
    Press and hold Del or F2 to enter setup. This key may also be a different key. Most computers will display a message on startup that says "Press [key] to enter setup" or something similar, so look for this message when your computer restarts to confirm the key you should press to access the BIOS.
    1. Consult your computer's manual or online support page to confirm your computer's BIOS key.
  6. How to Boot a Computer from a CD Picture 8How to Boot a Computer from a CD Picture 8
    Navigate to the Boot tab. You'll use the arrow keys to select it.
    1. The Boot tab may instead say Boot Options, depending on your computer's manufacturer.
  7. How to Boot a Computer from a CD Picture 9How to Boot a Computer from a CD Picture 9
    Select the CD-ROM Drive option. To do so, press the arrow until this option has a box around it.
  8. How to Boot a Computer from a CD Picture 10How to Boot a Computer from a CD Picture 10
    Press the + key until CD-ROM Drive is first. This will place it at the top of the boot options list.
    1. You may have to press a different key as indicated by the key legend on the far-right side of the BIOS screen.
  9. How to Boot a Computer from a CD Picture 11How to Boot a Computer from a CD Picture 11
    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.
    1. You may have to press Enter to confirm the changes.
Method 2 of 2:

On Mac

  1. How to Boot a Computer from a CD Picture 12How to Boot a Computer from a CD Picture 12
    Insert the CD into your computer. To do so, slide the CD logo side-up into the CD slot on your Mac. The CD must have a version of Mac OS on it to qualify as a boot option.
    1. 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.
  2. How to Boot a Computer from a CD Picture 13How to Boot a Computer from a CD Picture 13
    Click
    How to Boot a Computer from a CD Picture 14How to Boot a Computer from a CD Picture 14
    . It's in the upper-left corner of the screen.
  3. How to Boot a Computer from a CD Picture 15How to Boot a Computer from a CD Picture 15
    Click Restart. This option is at the bottom of the Apple menu.
  4. How to Boot a Computer from a CD Picture 16How to Boot a Computer from a CD Picture 16
    Click Restart when prompted. Doing so will cause your Mac to begin restarting.
  5. How to Boot a Computer from a CD Picture 17How to Boot a Computer from a CD Picture 17
    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.
  6. How to Boot a Computer from a CD Picture 18How to Boot a Computer from a CD Picture 18
    Click the CD icon. It will typically say something like "Mac OS X Install DVD" below it. Clicking this icon selects it.
  7. How to Boot a Computer from a CD Picture 19How to Boot a Computer from a CD Picture 19
    Press Return. Doing so will prompt your Mac to boot from the CD drive.
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