I made the DVD and tried starting the computer with it in the DVD drive, but it went straight to Windows. I also tried reading through the 47 page manual that goes with it and, for a novice, it sounds scary!
I double checked the computer for a network card and it's like I said. This computer does not have separate cards for anything. It's all on one board.
I would think the manual be scary for me too :)
Go into BIOS and see if CD/DVD is first in Boot Order. There should also be a F-key, DEL or something similar to press at Dell logo screen when you start PC (should say which at the bottom of screen) to provoke the Boot Menu. Either BIOS boot order or the boot menu will suffice (if DVD has been made correctly).
How did you make the DVD?
See Burn Disc Image - ISO or IMG file
We should have mentioned:
Do not read the manual. That is only for people that plan on using the Operating System long term.
Perhaps the DVD that you made was not bootable or the computer's BIOS settings need changed. There are several ways to check out the DVD, I'll let GokAy walk you thru that and any BIOS settings changes.
As far as adding a network interface card:
It does not matter if there is one on the motherboard, you can add a second network adapter as a card.
I went to the Linux site and picked a version and a mirror to download from. It downloaded it and double clicking on the file told me to burn a DVD.
I don't know how to get into the bios to let me do what you want.
See How to access/enter Motherboard BIOS for your Dell model, possibly F2 but check nevertheless
Sample screenshot, named System Setup.
Let us know if still no go
My screen doesn't look like that on boot up and hitting the F2 key, even though it says that is what you do, did not work. My screen is black with a circle and the Dell logo in it. There is nothing else shown.
While going through these many iterations, I have used Firefox and IE. Is it possible to set up Firefox and Yahoo as a home page and IE and Google as another? It seems there can only be one home page. I tried adding a home page to IE (Google) and making that the default for IE, but it always wants to go to Yahoo. If I try to stop Yahoo so it goes to Google, sometimes it doesn't like that.
Sorry for that, I am out with friends. Can you post a photograph of the screen with Dell logo? Is it the one that comes first thing after pressing power?
What is the exact model of your PC?
I have a black screen that has a white circle and Dell in white letters inside it. This shows up right after the power button is pushed. Right after that, I get the "Windows is Loading" and the swirling colored balls. It is an Inspiron 660S.
Once again, unless it is a stand alone network adapter card, I don't see how on my machine. There aren't any covers that are screwed on the back and I don't see anywhere to plug the card in (as opposed to previous machines I've owned). When I searched PCI Gigabit Network Card, I see cards for $10, but they are conventional plug-in cards.
It should be F2 for an Inspiron. Try that (start tapping F2 as soon as you start PC and keep doing it until either going in BIOS or you see Windows starts to load).
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