New Windows strategy to thwart changing the main computer disk
 

All,
I spent almost a full day trying to erase windows and prepare the disk for Linux. No Joy! The new version of windows seems to resist all attempts to tamper with it. It has hidden all the tools somewhere but uses its time to continually pitch the user some stuff to buy. What an insulting piece of crap!
I was even unable to get rid of Windows using "ERASE-DISK" A program that will can erase info, formatting, Partitions, drives etc.
Today I'm going to see if I can return the computer to Best Buy.
As it is, it's useless for me. It's not even thick enough for a door stop!

Matt

Boot to a live distro (any), then:

Boot from a Linux live distro, run gparted, and delete the old partitions. If it's a new machine it's probably had a GPT disk structure. You can keep that or write a new MBR structure...

Windows will not permit booting from the disk drive!
I have tried a Kubuntu and Mint disk. The disk is simply ignored by windows!
Matt

Member response
 

Hi,

You should be able to get into the BIOS and disable secure boot. Then you should be allowed to boot the DVD.

EDIT: How to Disable UEFI Secure Boot in Windows 10/8.1/8 Plus by disabling hibernate on MS Win/10 you will disable fast boot.

This behavior indicates that "Fast Boot" is activated. If you can enter the UEFI firmware disable that option. It may be possible that you have to use Windows itself to disable that option, in that case this may help: http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4...dows-10-a.html

All,
Believe it or not I was able to get to the bios. Hauled the computer back to Best Buy and it took almost 1/2 Hr. for the resident Geek to get there. Windows 10 has hidden the access up on f7 or f8. I doesn't matter now because I am happily typing away on my new computer, Windows is history and I'm running Kubuntu : )
Matt

Most of your issues have nothing to do with Windows 10 I'm afraid to say. It is simply the way modern systems work with uefi.

Whatever the underlying reason, it took the lead geek from the help-circle at Best Buy the better part of the afternoon to loosen Windows 10 up to divulge where it sticks the 'boot-order' and then to change it so that the disk-boot was first and I was able to boot up & install Kubuntu.
Since I've been mucking about with computers since CPM, this was a first!
Matt

Then that guy wasn't trained very well, the Fast Boot feature should be known to any expert in the field, especially on helpdesks.

:-)

Matthew

Member response
 

Hi,

You get what you pay for at 'Geeks Squad'. I always get people who fall for their spew and they are amazed how quickly I can resolve things for them when they bring their hardware to me for repair(s).

LQ. Where geeks are geeks and The Geek Squad is nervous.

Triumph!

Honestly, though, I would have just googled for the laptop's service manual. The key to get into the firmware's setup program should be documented there. There are probably Youtube videos showing how to get into the firmware setup program too.

Normally I would have done that. But it seems every time I turned around Windows was directing/advising me to buy something. At one point, even the so-called Windows expert that came with the system and occupied a permanent place on the desktop, offered to 'sell-me' the answer.
Further, he firmly told me that I couldn't do what I intended viz. dual-boot, re-partitioning etc.
It was forbidden!! Only an expert should attempt such a thing and for a price, he was willing to do it for me!
Matthew