How to boot from DVD Lenovo W540

Question

I have a Lenovo W540 laptop currently running windows 8.1. I have burned an ISO image of a linux-based OS onto a DVD-R using the Mastered burn type (not live file system). I cannot figure out how to get my laptop to boot from this disk. Within the BIOS settings, I have disabled secure boot.

I do not want to install this OS onto my computer, I want to boot it from the disk every time.

Below is an image of the boot order in the BIOS. Would one of those work? I already tried "USB CD

Solution

1. Make sure to select Legacy Boot or UEFI in the BIOS depending on the type you want to boot.*
2. Select ATAPI CD0 HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GU90N in that list.
3. Alternatively, put that entry first in the BIOS to automatically boot to it.

If it doesn't work, there may be a problem with your installation medium.

_{(* For Linux it likely is Legacy Boot that you want.)}

Comments

[MattDMo]

maybe try #4, the only one that says DVD in it?

[brobken]

Why would you boot an os from a dvd? I suggest making a bootable usb device, it's cheap and 10 times faster than using regular cd/dvd. Plus almost any system nowadays is supporting usb boot...

[user3308082]

@brobken I did not have a USB large enough to hold the os, thr dvd is all I have available at the moment.

[brobken]

I suggested this because you stated in your question that you want to boot it from dvd every boot? Spending some money to an usb device will save you many headaches and destroyed mice or keyboards ;)

[user3308082]

@brobken I probably will get a USB flash dive in the near future, but as of now, all i have are a bunch of DVD-R to work with.

[user3308082]

I selected Legacy Boot, and moved ATAPI CDO HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GU90N to the top of the list, but no luck. It gave me a message saying "media test failed, check cable" and wouldn't boot.

[Tamara Wijsman]

Does the installation medium even work on other computers or a virtual machine?

[user3308082]

I do not have another computer to try it on currently, and I do not have any virtual machine software installed, so I have no way to test this.

[user3308082]

I am sure that it is meant to be booted, not installed. I tried the dvdram device and it did not work

[user3308082]

I attempted this again with a different linux live CD, and it did work. I selected legacy boot and the device you mentioned in your answer and it successfully booted.