[SOLVED] Problems deleting OS and installing dual boot system
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Problems deleting OS and installing dual boot system
I want to wipe my hard drive that has Ubuntu 10.04 installed then install Windows 7 then reinstall Ubuntu 10.04. However Windows will not boot. (Tried 2 different copies/versions. Works perfectly on another machine.) The CD/DVD player is working ok and I have ensured the BIOS has the player as the first boot device. The hard drive and the CD/DVD player have thin cables to the motherboard, not the wider ribbon cables of the older machines. Is there a software "switch" in the BIOS that I am unaware of or is it some other problem causing me grief. I also tried a second hard drive - Ubuntu would install but not Windows.
I have a need for several specialized Windows apps. otherwise I would not bother.
To answer your first question, yes, the BIOS normally contains a "boot order" setting. If the HDD is set to boot before the optical drive, the computer will never get to the optical drive to boot from it.
My Dells boot-up, during the memory check, give a "Select Boot Device Press F#" prompt that bypasses this setting in the BIOS. If your computer does not give a similar prompt, take a look at the BIOS settings.
The CD/DVD player is working ok and I have ensured the BIOS has the player as the first boot device.
Good.
Q: Does *any* CD/DVD boot (e.g. Ubuntu)? Is it just the Windows 7 CD/DVD that *won't* boot?
It *does* sound like you've covered just about all the bases. I *would* consider getting a cleaner for the CD/DVD reader and/or the Windows DVD - it might just help.
To answer your first question, yes, the BIOS normally contains a "boot order" setting. If the HDD is set to boot before the optical drive, the computer will never get to the optical drive to boot from it.
My Dells boot-up, during the memory check, give a "Select Boot Device Press F#" prompt that bypasses this setting in the BIOS. If your computer does not give a similar prompt, take a look at the BIOS settings.
I have made sure the CD/DVD is the first boot device. Its as if some setting is preventing the Windows disk from being recognized.
Last edited by Gypsy_Rover; 09-04-2011 at 01:49 AM.
I've had marginal disks fail to boot in one place, but boot in another.
Q: Can you boot ANY operating system (like Ubuntu)?
Q: Are you absolutely sure the device can read both DVDs and CDs (although your XP disk is probably a CD, not a DVD, and you say it can't boot that, either)?
Suggestion: the CD cleaner. Honest
PS:
Please DON'T mark a post "not valuable" unless you have a criticism.
And *do* mark a post "valuable" if you it helped get you closer to a resolution (even if it didn't completely solve it for you yet).
I've had marginal disks fail to boot in one place, but boot in another.
Q: Can you boot ANY operating system (like Ubuntu)?
Q: Are you absolutely sure the device can read both DVDs and CDs (although your XP disk is probably a CD, not a DVD, and you say it can't boot that, either)?
Suggestion: the CD cleaner. Honest
PS:
Please DON'T mark a post "not valuable" unless you have a criticism.
And *do* mark a post "valuable" if you it helped get you closer to a resolution (even if it didn't completely solve it for you yet).
Bought a laser lens cleaner - now can boot the Windows XP CD disk but not the Windows 7 DVD. (The Ubuntu disk would always boot. Thanks for all the help. I know where I am heading now.
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