How to boot from cd/dvd drive? (e1505)

hi guys, so i have this problem ( http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=3523805#post3523805) and i need to boot up from my cd/dvd drive to access my windows xp disc. so how do i access the bios so that i can set it to use the cd/dvd drive on startup?

thx

EDIT: nevermind haha i found it. its f2 on the dell sceen silly me

 

Ha-ha, glad you found the function key (I sometimes forget which # myself, it varies).

 

please go to that link in my post above and help me solve my problem if you can! i need all the help i can get before i decide to reinstall windows all together

 

sorry for the double post but how does one reformat and reinstall windows xp on their computer if one only has the dell drivers and utilities disc, the application disc (media direct), and the windows reinstallation disc (all from dell)?

isn't there a button i can press on startup or something that automatically allows you to reformat to the point where it is as you got it on day 1? i've used it before...but i cant remember what to press..

HELP!!

 

I agree with the advice Gregory_is_cheap is providing you with. I don't know why you don't see the "r" for repair, however, so I can't help you there. I personally would just start fresh, but I know that can be a pain in the butt if you aren't prepared for that scenario (I'm guessing you aren't, which is okay).
If the whole repair and chkdsk route fails, I will suggest one other idea for you. When your computer is starting up press "F12" (there should be no cds in your computer during this) and follow the route to scan your Hard Drive. It's been a bit since I did this, so I can't help you step-by-step (ask around, I'm sure someone knows what I am referring too and can help you better). You can scan your HDDs individually (or anything else you'd like to scan, e.g. battery, processor, GPU, network card, etc) for any errors. If you ever find one, then your hardware has simply died on you and you'll need to get it fixed/replaced by Dell. I doubt this is your problem (from what I've read), however. So, follow Gregorys advice for now. If that fails and so does my advice here, then it is time for a fresh start, sorry. :/
Good luck!

 

i am prepared; i have all my data backed up onto my external hard drive. so right now i dont care about repairing, i just want to reformat! but i dont know how!! from my dell windows reinstallation disc i can get to the different partitions part but i dont know what to do there; do i delete my biggest partition? or what? aargh!

 

finally got it reformatted and windows reinstalled and everything is as good as new!

 

Congrats! Glad you were able to resolve your issue!