Computer Gurus, we needz yourr help!

M

Miros

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Okay, so hi. I built a PC for somebody as a gift, and of course, they live a good 6 hours away so I can't really just hop over and help, so I need some advice or something.

So anywho, apparently when he starts it up, it says that it's missing a critical system32 file and he needs to have the system repaired before he can start it. Here's the fun part, he can't get to the boot menu. Now I'm not sure if it's error on his part, or if I'm just missing something. So is there a special way to get to the boot menu in the beginning besides hitting f12? <_<;;;;
 
F8, not F12.

edit: F12 is the one-time boot menu on Dell computers, where you can pick "boot from CD" or "boot from floppy" etc.
F8 is the Windows boot selector, where you can choose Safe Mode / Safe Mode with networking / etc.
 
CmdrFly said:
F8, not F12.

edit: F12 is the one-time boot menu on Dell computers, where you can pick "boot from CD" or "boot from floppy" etc.
F8 is the Windows boot selector, where you can choose Safe Mode / Safe Mode with networking / etc.
Click to expand...

Well is there a way to bring up a boot menu from a non dell PC so I can boot up from a CD? ; ;
 
If there is, it would say it on the first or second page of POST.

If it doesn't say "Press [button] to enter boot menu" or whatever broken English it may read, then he has to do it the hard way.

Enter BIOS, go to Boot Options (may be called something else depending on chipset), set CD or floppy or whatever you want as "First boot device".

Just remember he's gotta undo this too when he's done, for best results.
 
CmdrFly said:
If there is, it would say it on the first or second page of POST.

If it doesn't say "Press [button] to enter boot menu" or whatever broken English it may read, then he has to do it the hard way.

Enter BIOS, go to Boot Options (may be called something else depending on chipset), set CD or floppy or whatever you want as "First boot device".

Just remember he's gotta undo this too when he's done, for best results.
Click to expand...

BIOS? The foosk?
 
"Press DEL to enter Setup"

That's the BIOS. Basic Input Output System, the first sign of intelligence your computer talks to once you push that power button.
 
CmdrFly said:
"Press DEL to enter Setup"

That's the BIOS. Basic Input Output System, the first sign of intelligence your computer talks to once you push that power button.
Click to expand...

So when it's on that first loading screen, you press DEL? <_<; Forgive my ignorance, I'm an accountant. =(
 
have him slam the shit out of the Delete button once he turns the computer on. From there on he can easily access the boot priority list, and should be able to press + or - to move the list of boot devices up and down, respectively.
 
What he said. The first screen it shows after turning your computer on, is where you enter the BIOS. Try it on your computer, you'll see what we mean.

Popular BIOS's will be either a blue background or a gray background, pure text.
 
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