Q&A: Changing a PC's Start-up Routine I installed the Windows 8 preview on an old laptop, but now the computer won't start up unless I have the DVD in the drive. Help! When you installed the Windows 8 software on the computer from the DVD, the system may have been switched to start up from the disc drive instead of the hard drive, and never switched back. Unless the hard drive is damaged, you can usually fix this by adjusting a setting in the computer's BIOS -- Basic Input/Output System, a bit of software built into the hardware. To do so, restart the PC and watch the screen for information about which key to press to change the normal start-up routine or adjust the BIOS. This key varies by manufacturer, but it is often the F2, F8, F10 or the Delete key; your computer's manual should have instructions. Once you press the key and land on the text-based BIOS Setup Utility screen, use the keyboard's right arrow key to move to the Boot menu. Use the down arrow key to get to the Boot Device Priority area and hit the Enter key. Here, you can change the first boot device from the disc drive to the hard drive. Select the option from the on-screen menu to save the setting and exit the BIOS Setup Utility. The computer should now start up from the hard drive and not require the DVD in the disc drive.