[SOLVED] I lost my os and can't do a fresh install.
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The laptop I'm trying to install on does NOT have an OS. So I knew I couldn't install with Unetbootin, but some people are saying I should still be able to install it.
You misunderstand. You don't need to install unetbootin on the target machine. You install it on the machine you are running right now and run it to create a bootable USB flash drive that you then plug into the target machine. Unetbootin wants to use a USB flash drive with a single partition formatted FAT32, and makes it a bootable DOS drive that contains the installation image you chose.
Just a friendly reminder from one of my previous posts
Anyways. That is what I read on the dell forum for your model number .
Okay. I see what you were saying. I did F2 and got into the BIOS. On page 2, like you said, I found the boot order and changed it to put the CD/DVD/CD-RW Drive on top. However, when I exited (saving the changes) and powered down, then powered back up, hitting F12, the boot order came up the same as it was before I made the changes (the CD/DVD/CD-RW Drive was not on top).
In the BIOS it says 'for changes to take effect computer needs to reboot.' But there's no way of rebooting.
Any suggestions now?
Last edited by Gregg Bell; 03-30-2016 at 04:57 PM.
Reason: Added about needing to reboot
From what I can see from your thumbnail, you're not in the BIOS. I think that's part of the problem but at the same time, it should boot using your method. Going into the BIOS would possibly give you an idea if the drive is being recognized or not.
The BIOS screen It should look like what I mentioned in my last post (using rokytnji's link.) You will need to take a quick look at the Dell splash screen to see what key will get you in. It will most likely say "Setup" instead of BIOS.
Regards...
I was wrong about the splash screen not saying anything. The splash screen says:
And if it doesn't, please go back into the BIOS, if you would, and on the first page where it lists the processor and other hardware information, check to see what's listed under the entry that says, "Modular Bay." Does it list the CD-ROM drive?
Also, please check the CD you're using and make sure it boots on one of your other systems, if you haven't tried that already.
You misunderstand. You don't need to install unetbootin on the target machine. You install it on the machine you are running right now and run it to create a bootable USB flash drive that you then plug into the target machine. Unetbootin wants to use a USB flash drive with a single partition formatted FAT32, and makes it a bootable DOS drive that contains the installation image you chose.
Okay, rk, thanks. So what you're saying is I CAN put Unetbootin on the target computer and do it that way, but I don't HAVE TO.
I just went through the process of making another--hopefully--bootable USB via Unetbootin and what I think threw me was I'd installed OSs before and always rebooted right away. And now I noticed (on closer inspection) the button just says "Reboot now?" and it gives an "Exit" button. My bad. I missed it.
And if it doesn't, please go back into the BIOS, if you would, and on the first page where it lists the processor and other hardware information, check to see what's listed under the entry that says, "Modular Bay." Does it list the CD-ROM drive?
Also, please check the CD you're using and make sure it boots on one of your other systems, if you haven't tried that already.
Regards...
Ardvark, it says:
Code:
Modular Bay: CD-ROM
And I'm not real keen on trying that CD on one of my computers that's working. What I'll do is put USB Storage Device at the top of the list and try it with a bootable USB drive.
And I'm not real keen on trying that CD on one of my computers that's working. What I'll do is put USB Storage Device at the top of the list and try it with a bootable USB drive.
Hi Gregg...
Hmm, ok, it sees the CD-ROM drive, that might step in the right direction.
The reason why I asked you to check the CD in one of your other computers was to see if the burn went correctly and to rule that out as an issue. Did this drive read correctly in your other laptop?
Okay, I did the USB drive and the bar on the splash page took MUCH longer to go across and I thought it was going to work and at least it did something. See screenshot
Hmm, ok, it sees the CD-ROM drive, that might step in the right direction.
The reason why I asked you to check the CD in one of your other computers was to see if the burn went correctly and to rule that out as an issue. Did this drive read correctly in your other laptop?
Regards...
I've never used the drive before in either laptop.
Okay, I did the USB drive and the bar on the splash page took MUCH longer to go across and I thought it was going to work and at least it did something. See screenshot
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(See post to rokytnji).
