LinuxQuestions.org
Page 3 of 5 12 3 45
Show 50 post(s) from this thread on one page

LinuxQuestions.org (/questions/)
-   Linux - Software (https://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/linux-software-2/)
-   -   I lost my os and can't do a fresh install. (https://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/linux-software-2/i-lost-my-os-and-cant-do-a-fresh-install-4175576070/)

rknichols 03-30-2016 10:19 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gregg Bell (Post 5523348)
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.

Gregg Bell 03-30-2016 04:53 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by rokytnji (Post 5523361)
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?

Gregg Bell 03-30-2016 05:01 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by ardvark71 (Post 5523341)
Hi Gregg...

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:

F2: Setup

F12: Boot Menu

But I'm still stuck. :( (See post to rokytnji).

rokytnji 03-30-2016 05:02 PM
No need to hit F12 now if cdrom is 1st in line on boot order in page 2 of F2 in bios.

Just hit the power button and let it rip/boot up.

ardvark71 03-30-2016 05:15 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by rokytnji (Post 5523763)
Just hit the power button and let it rip/boot up.
Hi Gregg...

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...

Gregg Bell 03-30-2016 05:17 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by rknichols (Post 5523587)
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.

Gregg Bell 03-30-2016 05:24 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by rokytnji (Post 5523763)
No need to hit F12 now if cdrom is 1st in line on boot order in page 2 of F2 in bios.

Just hit the power button and let it rip/boot up.
Tried it. No luck. Just the black screen with a blinking cursor in the upper left hand corner of the screen.

Gregg Bell 03-30-2016 05:27 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by ardvark71 (Post 5523771)
Hi Gregg...

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.

ardvark71 03-30-2016 05:33 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gregg Bell (Post 5523775)
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.
Hi Gregg...

Hmm, ok, it sees the CD-ROM drive, that might step in the right direction. :D

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...

Gregg Bell 03-30-2016 05:41 PM
1 Attachment(s)
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

Gregg Bell 03-30-2016 05:42 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by ardvark71 (Post 5523778)
Hi Gregg...

Hmm, ok, it sees the CD-ROM drive, that might step in the right direction. :D

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.

Gregg Bell 03-30-2016 05:48 PM
Found this. It's 15.10 but it's still not real encouraging.

https://askubuntu.com/questions/6967...ive-with-15-10

ardvark71 03-30-2016 05:51 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gregg Bell (Post 5523782)
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
Do some of the options here help?

Regards...

Gregg Bell 03-30-2016 06:00 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by ardvark71 (Post 5523791)
Do some of the options here help?

Regards...
I think I'll try to burn another image onto the USB.

ardvark71 03-30-2016 06:02 PM
Hi Gregg...

As another idea if the USB option doesn't work, I just found this option if the laptop in question has a working LAN (ethernet) port. :)

Regards...


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:31 AM.
Page 3 of 5 12 3 45
Show 50 post(s) from this thread on one page