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I have a laptop with Ubuntu installed as the only OS. I also have a USB stick with a Windows 7 installation on it. I want to install Windows from the USB stick on my laptop but when I try to restart the laptop to get access to BIOS, I can't seem to find the command for it, its like it skips everything and just says Ubuntu and then takes me to the login screen.

How do I change the boot priority to USB in Ubuntu?

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On some systems you have to press F2 or Esc to access Bios settings. On others it is CTRL + Alt + ESC. – To Do Oct 29 '12 at 23:51
@ToDo you can write it as answer . – Jai Oct 30 '12 at 3:04
@OP in some systems it will access with DEL key . – Jai Oct 30 '12 at 3:05

2 Answers

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On some systems you have to press F2, Del or Esc to access Bios settings. Less frequently it is CTRL + Alt + ESC.

Once in Bios settings, on some systems, while there is a boot order giving you "removable drives" and "primary hard disk" as options, you may have to set the boot order again in an item labeled "HDD's" where you find again the USB drive.

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For gaining access to the BIOS to edit boot order, you usually need to press the F2 or F12 key during that brief splash screen right after hitting your power button (it usually only lasts a second or two so you have to think fast) Once in, you should be able to either choose to boot from USB or move it to the top of the Boot order. Google around for the correct key for your specific computer model and you should be able to find out how to get into the BIOS.

As for installing Windows along side your Ubuntu Installation, remember that Windows will write over the Master Boot Record (MBR) and you will not be able to boot into your Ubuntu installation until you re-install the Ubuntu's Grub boot loader.

Directions for how to do this are here: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RecoveringUbuntuAfterInstallingWindows

You might then also wish to know how to change the boot order once you have the two OS's installed and running. You will have to edit the file /etc/default/grub directions for doing this are here: How do I change the grub boot order?

Hope this helps enough to get you started with your dual-boot system. There are some great guides on how to set up an ideal Windows 7 and Ubuntu dual boot set up if you Google around a bit.

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