Laptop says 'Missing operating system'.Help please.

josha007

Mmm.The Ubuntu image doesn't seem to work.Still comes up with missing operating system.Pretty sure I've burned it onto the CD correctly.

What do people suggest I do?

josha007

Stilltheone.How do I remove the peripherals?And what does this achieve?

RussJK

When you created the Ubuntu disk, did you just copy the ISO file over to a blank disc? Or did you do it properly using burning software, and an option like "write a disc using an image"? If you don't know what I mean, then that'll explain why it doesn't work.

1. Try downloading Imgburn: http://www.imgburn.com/
2. and burn it following this guide: http://forum.imgburn.com/index.php?showtopic=61 (don't worry about 2b)

stilltheone

josha007 wrote: »

Stilltheone.How do I remove the peripherals?And what does this achieve?

Just anything that is plugged into the laptop via USB.

josha007

Burned all correct onto a cd.

Loaded it up and says No DEFAULT or UI configuration found!

What does this mean?Have I done something wrong?

stilltheone

Go into your BIOS by hitting F10 on start up(I think). Look into the Device configuration. You may need to set your SATA ports to IDE Mode for the disc to work.

josha007

That doesn't seem to work either stilltheone.

I'm getting a bit disheartened with this now,might need to leave it to a professional.

[Deleted User]

OP, enter the BIOS and see if the HDD has been detectedf.

If it isn't being detected, the HDD has physically malfunctioned.

If it has, enable S.M.A.R.T if it isn't already and then reboot. If there are any errors the drive can report they will be shown on screen during the POST sequence.

If nothing is and you still receive the same error about a missing operating system then download and write to a CD the recovery disc for Windows Vista from the Neosmart website previously linked by another poster. Once the recovery cd has loaded you should follow these instructions:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927392

If that is successful then you would be wise to commence scans for any malicious programs that may have caused the error and ensure that the latest updates and drivers are installed through Windows Update.

Using a Linux LiveCD seems to be unnecessarily convoluted at this point in time.

asbokid

What guff advice on here!

Don't remove the drive from the laptop
don't rush out and buy any special cables or a caddy, and
don't install a new operating system on the hard drive.

Sheesh, there were some frightening suggestions coming in from outerspace there..

I would follow what RussJK, stilltheone and anewman are suggesting.....

download a recovery CD image or live CD image
burn the image to CD
configure the BIOS to boot from CD
boot the operating system from the CD
examine the state of the hard drive
recover important files from the hard drive

stilltheone

josha007 wrote: »

That doesn't seem to work either stilltheone.

I'm getting a bit disheartened with this now,might need to leave it to a professional.

Don't be disheartened. A 'professional' will take much the same steps illustrated here.
They would just do it more quickly.

Try creating a Vista Recovery Disc.

Follow these instructions in order to create one:

Download and save this Vista Recovery Disc Image to a working computer.
Next, download and install ImgBurn(No need to install the Google Toolbar. Remove the relevant tick). Burn the Image to Disc. Use this guide(skip step 2b)

Make sure that your hard drive is set to IDE in the BIOS.
You will need to enter System Repair from the Vista Windows Recovery Environment. (Of course choose UK instead of US)