Windows 10: how to boot to CD, if BIOS menu won't open?

@spunk thanks for your ideas, but I guess you just don't understand my problem. You see, I find it very difficult to get into BIOS, due to a certain hardware issue on my machine.

 

I understand very well, but now that you have reset the HDD with Macrium, you should be able to boot into the Bios using the Windows Menu in Post #13. This would be totally different then pressing F2 at Bootup for an Asus laptop, if that is what you have.

 

right, I restored the windows installation on the hard drive. Now I can boot straight into Windows just fine. But that doesn't change the firmware problem. It's still just as shoddy as before.
I am going to try and boot into BIOS now, it's a hit-and-miss matter. I will see in an hour if it worked.

 

You can't change the BIOS boot order to the optical drive from Windows. It has to be done from the BIOS menu itself. The only settings that I know of that will change from Windows is the date and time. If it was me, I would replace the CMOS/BIOS battery. If it is really dead, as in shorted out, it could explain why your PC has trouble booting up. It's an easy swap on a desktop PC. Could be a real PITA on a laptop or tablet though. Some disassembly required.

 

thanks. back from my nap, the BIOS did open, and I changed the boot priority to CD first. I did not go deep into the settings this time, so it did not get stuck, and I thankfully saved changes and exit.

I noticed a strange behavior: even if the CD rom is empty, sometimes I will get a message that there is no OS, and I should press any key. I press a key, and then it boots smoothly to Windows.

I don't think the battery is the problem, because:
1 I bought the computer just a few months ago (but I hesitate to bring it back, because the BIOS might open fast enough for the technician, and then he will tell me to stop complaining...)
2 The settings revert to default at the moment of reboot, not when the computer was off for a long time
3 the BIOS is showing the right time.

 

Something is wrong, that's for sure. If it was me I'd return it. Why spend good money on defective equipment. You need to watch the date and time as soon as it boots up. Windows can, and will sync the time with an online time server. Leave it off for a while, with the power cord unplugged. Then power it up with no internet connection and check the date and time. If it's a desktop PC the battery swap is relatively easy, and the battery is inexpensive. Those battery's can fail, even on a new PC.

 

thanks. I will have to do that test like you said.