# Boot media and boot order
Source: https://docs.webgee.com/en/servers/boot-media





Boot your cloud server from an image rather than its own disk. Applies to all VPS
and dedicated servers.

This is for installing an operating system the Cloud Console does not offer as a
template, or booting a third-party recovery tool. For a supported OS, use
[Rebuild your server](/en/servers/rebuild-server) instead — it is far quicker.

<img alt="The Media tab showing the CD/DVD-ROM panel and Boot Order selector" src="__img0" />

## Attach media [#attach-media]

1. Open the **Media** tab.
2. Choose from the available images, or select **Custom CD/DVD** to supply your
   own image by URL.

The panel shows **DRIVE INACTIVE** when nothing is attached.

## Set the boot order [#set-the-boot-order]

Choose which device the server tries first:

* **HDD** — the server's own disk. The normal setting.
* **CD/DVD** — the attached image. Required to run an installer.

Select the device, then **Apply**.

<Callout type="warn">
  Set the boot order back to **HDD** once installation finishes. Leaving it on
  CD/DVD means the server boots the installer again on the next restart rather
  than the system you just installed — which looks exactly like the installation
  having failed.
</Callout>

## You will need VNC [#you-will-need-vnc]

There is no SSH access during an installation from media — the operating system
is not running yet. Enable VNC first and use the browser console to drive the
installer: [Rescue mode and VNC](/en/servers/rescue-mode-and-vnc).

## The usual sequence [#the-usual-sequence]

1. Enable VNC.
2. Attach the image under **Media**.
3. Set boot order to **CD/DVD** and **Apply**.
4. Restart the server.
5. Open **Browser VNC** and work through the installer.
6. Set boot order back to **HDD**.
7. Restart, then connect over SSH.
8. Disable VNC.

## Related [#related]

* [Rebuild your server](/en/servers/rebuild-server)
* [Rescue mode and VNC](/en/servers/rescue-mode-and-vnc)