...The wonders of modern technology!

O.K.... I've checked out the video and I think I've managed to pick out the various options on the initial POST screen. Here's what I guessed they were (by pausing your video and squinting --- so I may be wrong!):

<ESC> Enable Startup Messages
<F1> System Information
<F3> Change Boot Device Order
<F2> Startup Check
<F10> BIOS Setup Options
<F11> System Recovery

Have I got these right?

I'd hit <ESC> & <F1> to enable startup messages & system information --- the more details we have, the better.

I also had a look at what you did with the BIOS Setup screen: I noticed that on the "System Configuration" menu, there was what looked like a sub-menu titled "Boot Options". Check it out and post what you find in there. (I also noticed that on the "Diagnostics" menu there was a sub-menu called "Primary Hard Disk Self Test", which might help flag any hardware fault with the main drive --- maybe we can take a look at that later, if we can manage to boot up a CD...)

The option that's most promising, though is "Change Boot Device Order" (which looks like it's <F3> --- correct me if I'm wrong...): stick the Linux CD/DVD in the machine, reboot and hit <F3> --- hopefully it will alter the boot order so that the CD/DVD drive is tried before the hard disk.

Good luck & let us know how you get on...

i tried changing the boot order and told it to load the dvd first but it still just has a blank screen and when i hit esc to show boot info it goes black also.

...So --- just to make sure I've got this right --- with (i) the machine displaying CD/DVD as the first boot device and (ii) a bootable CD/DVD in the drive, the black screen is all you get on startup? ...If that's the case, then I'm all but out of ideas. Did you change the boot sequence using <F3>, or by using <F10> and then altering "Boot Options" in the "System Configuration" menu? (I imagine you probably tried both ways...)

Did <F1> do anything, or was it the same story as with <ESC>?

It's sounding more and more like a hardware issue...

f1 shows system info

After selecting F3 you have to move cdrom to top of list.

Then presumably the machine has at least responded to a minor change at last --- a faint glimmer of hope...

Did you alter the boot sequence by using <F3> or by using <F10> and then going into "Boot Options" in the "System Configuration" menu?

I ask this again, only because it's crucial to establish whether the machine is verifiably configured to boot straight from the CD/DVD drive --- if this is so, and there's a valid, bootable CD/DVD in the drive, then the problem is a more serious one than a mere mis-configuration.

We need to make sure that the boot sequence really is correctly set: could you replace the YouTube video you took with one of how you've attempted to change the boot sequence? (Trying reboots with both the <F3> & <F10> methods, if possible.) It'd be really helpful to see what you've done to configure the thing.

I'll get back to you in the morning. I need sleep...

Hi.

Were you able take some YouTube footage of your efforts to change the boot order with both <F3> & <F10>? There's a faint hope that someone here might spot something that could enable you to boot from a CD/DVD.

It's also possible that you might have more luck trying to boot from a USB stick --- but given the strange way in which the BIOS seems to be behaving, I wouldn't bet on it.

...Of course, this all assumes that you haven't already gone for a more cathartic solution.

What make & model of computer?

Looking at his YouTube video, the BIOS Setup screen shows it as a Compaq Presario CQ50.

Browsing the model's support section, I found this. Might be worth a try...

I looked at youtube video when you go to boot options, are you changing the boot order or are you just clicking on cdrom, because you actually have to move cdrom to the top of the list not just click on it.

i DID change the boot order to #1 and found the problem.

The dvds i was using were the wrong type apparently my dvd drive does not support -r's

that is it this post was done on my computer thanks all for the help.

Congrats, glad to know you've resolved.

Queer business, that -- the spec sheet for your model (P/N FQ051UA#ABA) says it's fitted with a "Super Multi 8X DVD±R/RW with Double Layer Support". Perhaps someone changed it at some point...

You're welcome (not that I myself helped a fat lot). ...Well done for persevering with the problem, and glad to hear your machine's back in action again.

One last tip: when your query has been satisfactorily dealt with, mark the problem as [SOLVED] --- there should be a link to do this somewhere near the top of the thread. This helps anyone who's trying to solve a similar problem to zero in on something that might actually be useful to them. Also, if there were any particularly helpful tips or posters on the thread, flag them as such using the "Did you find this post helpful?" link or "Rep" link, for similar reasons (I don't know that we were particularly helpful on this occasion, but it's useful to bear in mind for future reference!).

Anyway, glad the problem's fixed --- happy Linuxing!