Dell Mini 9 had pre release Win 7 and now doesn't work

aliasojo

As title, Dell Mini notebook had a pre release evaluation copy of Windows 7 on it which obviously expired a good while ago.

I'm not up for spending money on this machine so am planning on going back to Ubuntu which was on it when it was bought.

I know nothing about Ubuntu and don't find it very intuitive to use tbh so can anyone either give me a step by step idiot's guide on how to get this back onto the notebook, or point me in the direction of a simple guide elsewhere please?

Also what version should I be looking at?

TIA

Donnie

Are you able to use the machine at all, even for a few minutes at a time?
Do you have an external CD drive?

robredz

If all else fails and you don't have an external Cd, check out the guide to installing from a USB stick here:

http://www.ubuntugeek.com/how-to-install-ubuntu-linux-from-usb-stick.html

hope this helps

aliasojo

No, machine can't be used at all.

I have an external cd/dvd drive and an external hard drive as well as usb sticks.

Donnie

Do you have files that you wish to save? Which model? 1010, 1011 or 1012?

robredz

does it POST and go through the initial startup sequence?

aliasojo

It starts with 'Windows is loading files' then a 'Startup Repair' window comes up. It then says Windows cannot be repaired and the machine shuts down.

Donnie...I've made a mistake it's a Mini 9 (910). Nothing needs saved.

robredz

aliasojo wrote: »

It starts with 'Windows is loading files' then a 'Startup Repair' window comes up. It then says Windows cannot be repaired and the machine shuts down.

Donnie...I've made a mistake it's a Mini 9 (910). Nothing needs saved.

Check in the BIOS that you can boot off a stick or external drive, if you can, then it should be ok to format the drive and install 'buntu, there is a distro optimised for netbooks, here:

http://www.ubuntu.com/netbook/get-ubuntu/download

aliasojo

Ok changed BIOS and downloading Ubuntu now, thanks.

S0litaire

You'll have to get in to the BIOS of the Mini9
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/xlob/dtg/en/en_dtg.pdf (Dell Technology Guide)
Check page 308 on how to get into the BIOS and change the boot order so that it boots from CD or USB drive.

You then can use a Ubuntu LiveCD or USB to install Ubuntu onto the Mini9.

aliasojo

Got a slight problem....got as far as getting 'Review your options and click on install' (from the link in post 8) and when I clicked install...it just went back to the first window (which is a little different from the one shown in the link.)

The window I have open is a purple background with FireFox /Evolution/Cheese/Empathy/Help/Ubuntu Software Centre/Install Ubuntu Netbook 10.4 icons on the right and a list on the left with things like Favourites and Games etc.

I'm assuming it hasn't actually installed as i got no confirmation screen nor a request to restart the pc...so how do I get it to finish what it started?


Edit: Never mind, I've gone through the process again and it seems to be installing now.

Thanks all for the help and the useful links.