Making the DVD ROm drive the Boot drive?

I've got to reinstall Vista. My only BIOS settings are CD-ROM, no option for
DVD drive. Bios is latest avaliable. Is my only option to open the case and
disconnect the CD-drive? I assume that then the BIOS would see the DVD drive
as a CD drive and boot the DVD from that?

"dnelms" wrote in message
news:456A4EDD-E4C1-4941-AD9A-9222F58D4185@microsoft.com...
> I've got to reinstall Vista. My only BIOS settings are CD-ROM, no option
> for
> DVD drive. Bios is latest avaliable. Is my only option to open the case
> and
> disconnect the CD-drive? I assume that then the BIOS would see the DVD
> drive
> as a CD drive and boot the DVD from that?
>


It doesn't matter.. If you set CD first, it scans for whatever optical drive
is fitted and has bootable media in the tray..


--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
http://support.microsoft.com/default...help&style=toc
Mike's Window - My Blog..
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx

So are you saying that I'd have to disconnect the CD drive so that the only
optical drive is the DVD drive? Because it looks at the CD, which has no
media, then the HD. I guess if I do that, I'll have to hook the CD drive back
up after reinstall so the system will pick it up.

Thsi is a PIA to not be able to just reinstall from the DVD drive directly
(it's an upgrade DVD). Thia Vista install has worked perfectly until a couple
of days ago.


"Mike Hall - MVP" wrote:

> "dnelms" wrote in message
> news:456A4EDD-E4C1-4941-AD9A-9222F58D4185@microsoft.com...
> > I've got to reinstall Vista. My only BIOS settings are CD-ROM, no option
> > for
> > DVD drive. Bios is latest avaliable. Is my only option to open the case
> > and
> > disconnect the CD-drive? I assume that then the BIOS would see the DVD
> > drive
> > as a CD drive and boot the DVD from that?
> >
>
>
> It doesn't matter.. If you set CD first, it scans for whatever optical drive
> is fitted and has bootable media in the tray..
>
>
> --
> Mike Hall - MVP
> How to construct a good post..
> http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
> How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
> http://support.microsoft.com/default...help&style=toc
> Mike's Window - My Blog..
> http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx
>
>
>
>
>

"dnelms" wrote in message
news:9CE41536-0B3A-48BB-BECB-E04BC32B3195@microsoft.com...
> So are you saying that I'd have to disconnect the CD drive so that the
only
> optical drive is the DVD drive? Because it looks at the CD, which has no
> media, then the HD. I guess if I do that, I'll have to hook the CD drive
back
> up after reinstall so the system will pick it up.
>
> Thsi is a PIA to not be able to just reinstall from the DVD drive directly
> (it's an upgrade DVD). Thia Vista install has worked perfectly until a
couple
> of days ago.
>
>
No...you do NOT have to disconnect anything,
the machine should boot from either optical device...

(though some bios's have advanced settings for further selection, if your
does not, it shouldn't matter)


> "Mike Hall - MVP" wrote:
>
> > "dnelms" wrote in message
> > news:456A4EDD-E4C1-4941-AD9A-9222F58D4185@microsoft.com...
> > > I've got to reinstall Vista. My only BIOS settings are CD-ROM, no
option
> > > for
> > > DVD drive. Bios is latest avaliable. Is my only option to open the
case
> > > and
> > > disconnect the CD-drive? I assume that then the BIOS would see the DVD
> > > drive
> > > as a CD drive and boot the DVD from that?
> > >
> >
> >
> > It doesn't matter.. If you set CD first, it scans for whatever optical
drive
> > is fitted and has bootable media in the tray..
> >
> >
> > --
> > Mike Hall - MVP
> > How to construct a good post..
> > http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
> > How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
> > http://support.microsoft.com/default...help&style=toc
> > Mike's Window - My Blog..
> > http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >

"dnelms" wrote in message
news:9CE41536-0B3A-48BB-BECB-E04BC32B3195@microsoft.com...
> So are you saying that I'd have to disconnect the CD drive so that the
> only
> optical drive is the DVD drive? Because it looks at the CD, which has no
> media, then the HD. I guess if I do that, I'll have to hook the CD drive
> back
> up after reinstall so the system will pick it up.
>
> Thsi is a PIA to not be able to just reinstall from the DVD drive directly
> (it's an upgrade DVD). Thia Vista install has worked perfectly until a
> couple
> of days ago.
>
>
> "Mike Hall - MVP" wrote:
>
>> "dnelms" wrote in message
>> news:456A4EDD-E4C1-4941-AD9A-9222F58D4185@microsoft.com...
>> > I've got to reinstall Vista. My only BIOS settings are CD-ROM, no
>> > option
>> > for
>> > DVD drive. Bios is latest avaliable. Is my only option to open the case
>> > and
>> > disconnect the CD-drive? I assume that then the BIOS would see the DVD
>> > drive
>> > as a CD drive and boot the DVD from that?
>> >
>>
>>
>> It doesn't matter.. If you set CD first, it scans for whatever optical
>> drive
>> is fitted and has bootable media in the tray..
>>
>>
>> --
>> Mike Hall - MVP
>> How to construct a good post..
>> http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
>> How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
>> http://support.microsoft.com/default...help&style=toc
>> Mike's Window - My Blog..
>> http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>


Are you saying that it never checks the DVD drive?


--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
http://support.microsoft.com/default...help&style=toc
Mike's Window - My Blog..
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx

That is correct. Even double checked the BIOS settings to make sure HD was
not the first boot. The CD drive flickers, then the DVD drive flickers, but
then it goes to the HD. If I let it boot to Vista, I can go the DVD and see
all the files, so I know it is working. A stupid question, but I'll ask
anyway. This is an upgrade DVD with SP1 already on it. There is not a chance
that MS plugged up the hole that allowed a boot install to trial , then
reinstall for good as the workaround for a clean install for an upgrade DVD?

"Mike Hall - MVP" wrote:

> "dnelms" wrote in message
> news:9CE41536-0B3A-48BB-BECB-E04BC32B3195@microsoft.com...
> > So are you saying that I'd have to disconnect the CD drive so that the
> > only
> > optical drive is the DVD drive? Because it looks at the CD, which has no
> > media, then the HD. I guess if I do that, I'll have to hook the CD drive
> > back
> > up after reinstall so the system will pick it up.
> >
> > Thsi is a PIA to not be able to just reinstall from the DVD drive directly
> > (it's an upgrade DVD). Thia Vista install has worked perfectly until a
> > couple
> > of days ago.
> >
> >
> > "Mike Hall - MVP" wrote:
> >
> >> "dnelms" wrote in message
> >> news:456A4EDD-E4C1-4941-AD9A-9222F58D4185@microsoft.com...
> >> > I've got to reinstall Vista. My only BIOS settings are CD-ROM, no
> >> > option
> >> > for
> >> > DVD drive. Bios is latest avaliable. Is my only option to open the case
> >> > and
> >> > disconnect the CD-drive? I assume that then the BIOS would see the DVD
> >> > drive
> >> > as a CD drive and boot the DVD from that?
> >> >
> >>
> >>
> >> It doesn't matter.. If you set CD first, it scans for whatever optical
> >> drive
> >> is fitted and has bootable media in the tray..
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >> Mike Hall - MVP
> >> How to construct a good post..
> >> http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
> >> How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default...help&style=toc
> >> Mike's Window - My Blog..
> >> http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>
> Are you saying that it never checks the DVD drive?
>
>
> --
> Mike Hall - MVP
> How to construct a good post..
> http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
> How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
> http://support.microsoft.com/default...help&style=toc
> Mike's Window - My Blog..
> http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx
>
>
>
>
>

dnelms;854421 Wrote:
> That is correct. Even double checked the BIOS settings to make sure HD
> was not the first boot. The CD drive flickers, then the DVD drive
> flickers, but then it goes to the HD. If I let it boot to Vista, I can
> go the DVD and see all the files, so I know it is working. A stupid
> question, but I'll ask anyway. This is an upgrade DVD with SP1 already
> on it. There is not a chance that MS plugged up the hole that allowed a
> boot install to trial , then reinstall for good as the workaround for a
> clean install for an upgrade DVD?
>
> "Mike Hall - MVP" wrote:
> > > >
> > > "dnelms" wrote in message
> > > news:9CE41536-0B3A-48BB-BECB-E04BC32B3195@xxxxxx> > > > >
> > > > > So are you saying that I'd have to disconnect the CD drive so that
> > > the
> > > > > only
> > > > > optical drive is the DVD drive? Because it looks at the CD, which
> > > has no
> > > > > media, then the HD. I guess if I do that, I'll have to hook the CD
> > > drive
> > > > > back
> > > > > up after reinstall so the system will pick it up.
> > > > > Thsi is a PIA to not be able to just reinstall from the DVD drive
> > > directly
> > > > > (it's an upgrade DVD). Thia Vista install has worked perfectly
> > > until a
> > > > > couple
> > > > > of days ago.
> > > > > "Mike Hall - MVP" wrote:
> > > > >> > > > >
> > >
> > > Are you saying that it never checks the DVD drive?
> > >>> Mike Hall - MVP
> > > > >

Hi dnelms,

Try tapping the enter key when the dvd light flickers.

You might also try washing the dvd gently with dish washing detergent
and your fingertips, rinse thoroughly, dry gently and thoroughly with a
hairdryer on a low heat.

You could also test the dvd drive with another bootable cd/dvd - see if
it boots.

Hope it helps

SIW2


--
SIW2

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase...rade_clean.asp

Are you following the way to do it in the above link?
--
Mad Mike


"dnelms" wrote:

> That is correct. Even double checked the BIOS settings to make sure HD was
> not the first boot. The CD drive flickers, then the DVD drive flickers, but
> then it goes to the HD. If I let it boot to Vista, I can go the DVD and see
> all the files, so I know it is working. A stupid question, but I'll ask
> anyway. This is an upgrade DVD with SP1 already on it. There is not a chance
> that MS plugged up the hole that allowed a boot install to trial , then
> reinstall for good as the workaround for a clean install for an upgrade DVD?
>
> "Mike Hall - MVP" wrote:
>
> > "dnelms" wrote in message
> > news:9CE41536-0B3A-48BB-BECB-E04BC32B3195@microsoft.com...
> > > So are you saying that I'd have to disconnect the CD drive so that the
> > > only
> > > optical drive is the DVD drive? Because it looks at the CD, which has no
> > > media, then the HD. I guess if I do that, I'll have to hook the CD drive
> > > back
> > > up after reinstall so the system will pick it up.
> > >
> > > Thsi is a PIA to not be able to just reinstall from the DVD drive directly
> > > (it's an upgrade DVD). Thia Vista install has worked perfectly until a
> > > couple
> > > of days ago.
> > >
> > >
> > > "Mike Hall - MVP" wrote:
> > >
> > >> "dnelms" wrote in message
> > >> news:456A4EDD-E4C1-4941-AD9A-9222F58D4185@microsoft.com...
> > >> > I've got to reinstall Vista. My only BIOS settings are CD-ROM, no
> > >> > option
> > >> > for
> > >> > DVD drive. Bios is latest avaliable. Is my only option to open the case
> > >> > and
> > >> > disconnect the CD-drive? I assume that then the BIOS would see the DVD
> > >> > drive
> > >> > as a CD drive and boot the DVD from that?
> > >> >
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> It doesn't matter.. If you set CD first, it scans for whatever optical
> > >> drive
> > >> is fitted and has bootable media in the tray..
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> --
> > >> Mike Hall - MVP
> > >> How to construct a good post..
> > >> http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
> > >> How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
> > >> http://support.microsoft.com/default...help&style=toc
> > >> Mike's Window - My Blog..
> > >> http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> >
> >
> > Are you saying that it never checks the DVD drive?
> >
> >
> > --
> > Mike Hall - MVP
> > How to construct a good post..
> > http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
> > How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
> > http://support.microsoft.com/default...help&style=toc
> > Mike's Window - My Blog..
> > http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >

Yes,, the problem is that my computer is looking at the CD drive and then
bypassing the DVD drive, therfore I can't boot from it. So I can't do
anything else until I solve that problem. I do think I'm going to physically
disconnect the CD drive and just let the computer saee only 1 optical drive
on startup.



"Mick Murphy" wrote:

> http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase...rade_clean.asp
>
> Are you following the way to do it in the above link?
> --
> Mad Mike
>
>
> "dnelms" wrote:
>
> > That is correct. Even double checked the BIOS settings to make sure HD was
> > not the first boot. The CD drive flickers, then the DVD drive flickers, but
> > then it goes to the HD. If I let it boot to Vista, I can go the DVD and see
> > all the files, so I know it is working. A stupid question, but I'll ask
> > anyway. This is an upgrade DVD with SP1 already on it. There is not a chance
> > that MS plugged up the hole that allowed a boot install to trial , then
> > reinstall for good as the workaround for a clean install for an upgrade DVD?
> >
> > "Mike Hall - MVP" wrote:
> >
> > > "dnelms" wrote in message
> > > news:9CE41536-0B3A-48BB-BECB-E04BC32B3195@microsoft.com...
> > > > So are you saying that I'd have to disconnect the CD drive so that the
> > > > only
> > > > optical drive is the DVD drive? Because it looks at the CD, which has no
> > > > media, then the HD. I guess if I do that, I'll have to hook the CD drive
> > > > back
> > > > up after reinstall so the system will pick it up.
> > > >
> > > > Thsi is a PIA to not be able to just reinstall from the DVD drive directly
> > > > (it's an upgrade DVD). Thia Vista install has worked perfectly until a
> > > > couple
> > > > of days ago.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > "Mike Hall - MVP" wrote:
> > > >
> > > >> "dnelms" wrote in message
> > > >> news:456A4EDD-E4C1-4941-AD9A-9222F58D4185@microsoft.com...
> > > >> > I've got to reinstall Vista. My only BIOS settings are CD-ROM, no
> > > >> > option
> > > >> > for
> > > >> > DVD drive. Bios is latest avaliable. Is my only option to open the case
> > > >> > and
> > > >> > disconnect the CD-drive? I assume that then the BIOS would see the DVD
> > > >> > drive
> > > >> > as a CD drive and boot the DVD from that?
> > > >> >
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >> It doesn't matter.. If you set CD first, it scans for whatever optical
> > > >> drive
> > > >> is fitted and has bootable media in the tray..
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >> --
> > > >> Mike Hall - MVP
> > > >> How to construct a good post..
> > > >> http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
> > > >> How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
> > > >> http://support.microsoft.com/default...help&style=toc
> > > >> Mike's Window - My Blog..
> > > >> http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > >
> > >
> > > Are you saying that it never checks the DVD drive?
> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > > Mike Hall - MVP
> > > How to construct a good post..
> > > http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
> > > How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
> > > http://support.microsoft.com/default...help&style=toc
> > > Mike's Window - My Blog..
> > > http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >

Are you sure the DVD drive even works?
--
Mad Mike


"dnelms" wrote:

> Yes,, the problem is that my computer is looking at the CD drive and then
> bypassing the DVD drive, therfore I can't boot from it. So I can't do
> anything else until I solve that problem. I do think I'm going to physically
> disconnect the CD drive and just let the computer saee only 1 optical drive
> on startup.
>
>
>
> "Mick Murphy" wrote:
>
> > http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase...rade_clean.asp
> >
> > Are you following the way to do it in the above link?
> > --
> > Mad Mike
> >
> >
> > "dnelms" wrote:
> >
> > > That is correct. Even double checked the BIOS settings to make sure HD was
> > > not the first boot. The CD drive flickers, then the DVD drive flickers, but
> > > then it goes to the HD. If I let it boot to Vista, I can go the DVD and see
> > > all the files, so I know it is working. A stupid question, but I'll ask
> > > anyway. This is an upgrade DVD with SP1 already on it. There is not a chance
> > > that MS plugged up the hole that allowed a boot install to trial , then
> > > reinstall for good as the workaround for a clean install for an upgrade DVD?
> > >
> > > "Mike Hall - MVP" wrote:
> > >
> > > > "dnelms" wrote in message
> > > > news:9CE41536-0B3A-48BB-BECB-E04BC32B3195@microsoft.com...
> > > > > So are you saying that I'd have to disconnect the CD drive so that the
> > > > > only
> > > > > optical drive is the DVD drive? Because it looks at the CD, which has no
> > > > > media, then the HD. I guess if I do that, I'll have to hook the CD drive
> > > > > back
> > > > > up after reinstall so the system will pick it up.
> > > > >
> > > > > Thsi is a PIA to not be able to just reinstall from the DVD drive directly
> > > > > (it's an upgrade DVD). Thia Vista install has worked perfectly until a
> > > > > couple
> > > > > of days ago.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > "Mike Hall - MVP" wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > >> "dnelms" wrote in message
> > > > >> news:456A4EDD-E4C1-4941-AD9A-9222F58D4185@microsoft.com...
> > > > >> > I've got to reinstall Vista. My only BIOS settings are CD-ROM, no
> > > > >> > option
> > > > >> > for
> > > > >> > DVD drive. Bios is latest avaliable. Is my only option to open the case
> > > > >> > and
> > > > >> > disconnect the CD-drive? I assume that then the BIOS would see the DVD
> > > > >> > drive
> > > > >> > as a CD drive and boot the DVD from that?
> > > > >> >
> > > > >>
> > > > >>
> > > > >> It doesn't matter.. If you set CD first, it scans for whatever optical
> > > > >> drive
> > > > >> is fitted and has bootable media in the tray..
> > > > >>
> > > > >>
> > > > >> --
> > > > >> Mike Hall - MVP
> > > > >> How to construct a good post..
> > > > >> http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
> > > > >> How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
> > > > >> http://support.microsoft.com/default...help&style=toc
> > > > >> Mike's Window - My Blog..
> > > > >> http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx
> > > > >>
> > > > >>
> > > > >>
> > > > >>
> > > > >>
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Are you saying that it never checks the DVD drive?
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > --
> > > > Mike Hall - MVP
> > > > How to construct a good post..
> > > > http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
> > > > How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
> > > > http://support.microsoft.com/default...help&style=toc
> > > > Mike's Window - My Blog..
> > > > http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >