How can I boot from CD? F2 F12 don't work

[Krischu]

I'm using VMWarew orkstation Pro 12.5 as a trial version and I have configured a VM, added a CDROM drive with a clonezilla ISO

and I would like to boot from the ISO image.

But VMWARE Workstation Pro doesn't let me. As fast as I type F12 or F2right after I hit the green start arrow it always boots into the hard disk.

[RDPetruska]

Are you clicking the mouse inside the VM window as it boots, to send focus to the guest?  If not, the Function Keys are still sending to your host, not the VM.

Alternately, use the Workstation Power Menu to Boot to the CD.

[a_p_]

Shut down the VM, and close the VM's tab (or VMware Workstation), then add e.g.

bios.bootdelay = "5000"

to the VM's configuration (.vmx) file. This will delay the boot process for 5.000 milliseconds, and give you time to set the focus on the VM's window, and press F2.

See https://kb.vmware.com/kb/1004129‌ for details

André

[continuum]

Make sure you checked the box "start at boot" - thats what I forget regularly