Replacing WIN 10

TonyMMM

It can be difficult installing Win10 updates on tablets with only a 32Gb C drive, but can usually be done.

First thing is to make sure any stored files (music, pictures etc.) are all stored on another drive or SD card.

Second thing is to run "Disk Cleanup" and get rid of everything you can - make sure you choose the extra "Clean System Files" option ....and be sure to run this again after every Windows update.

Cardew

Thanks all. I managed to free up 9GB space by deleting previous updates of Windows 10 I used this guide.


https://www.windowscentral.com/how-reclaim-space-after-upgrading-windows-10-april-2018-update

kwikbreaks

I eventually got fed up with the struggle of trying to free up space for big windows updates on a laptop of this type and installed Linux mint on it. For reasons I didn't bother investigating a Lubuntu install failed.

If you or anybody else eventually follow this route I found a couple of possible gotchas...

One such laptop I have is more of a tablet + keyboard and I couldn't find any way to get it to get it to boot from USB (Lenovo Miix 300)
The one I did install MINT on (HP Stream 13) has a Broadcom WiFi card that wasn't supported on the standard install. Luckily I have a WiFi dongle that I used on a Raspberry Pi that was just plug and play so I was able to install the Broadcom drivers without too much messing about.

These 32gb laptops are not really up to big Win 10 feature upgrades although you can just download the install media and do a fresh install you then need to go though your personalisation each time. The Miix 300 will probably end up as useless but I was given it anyway.

EveryWhere

kwikbreaks wrote: »

I eventually got fed up with the struggle of trying to free up space for big windows updates on a laptop of this type and installed Linux mint on it. For reasons I didn't bother investigating a Lubuntu install failed.

If you or anybody else eventually follow this route I found a couple of possible gotchas...

One such laptop I have is more of a tablet + keyboard and I couldn't find any way to get it to get it to boot from USB (Lenovo Miix 300)
The one I did install MINT on (HP Stream 13) has a Broadcom WiFi card that wasn't supported on the standard install. Luckily I have a WiFi dongle that I used on a Raspberry Pi that was just plug and play so I was able to install the Broadcom drivers without too much messing about.

These 32gb laptops are not really up to big Win 10 feature upgrades although you can just download the install media and do a fresh install you then need to go though your personalisation each time. The Miix 300 will probably end up as useless but I was given it anyway.

Did you use 64 bit media? https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Windows-based-Tablets/How-to-boot-MIIX-320-from-USB/m-p/3885964#M10507

kwikbreaks

Wrong machine. There is no boot from USB option in the bios. I see that suggests you still get a boot option though so I'll take another look. Thanks.

EveryWhere

kwikbreaks wrote: »

Wrong machine. There is no boot from USB option in the bios. I see that suggests you still get a boot option though so I'll take another look. Thanks.

You just need to do it differently; https://www.tomthedwarf.com/how-to-clean-install-windows-10-on-a-lenovo-miix-300/

So use 64 bit media or utilise the method shown above.

kwikbreaks

It currently has a 32 bit OS so I doubt it can support 64bit. I have a Macrium reflect recovery 32 bit usb stick and got that to boot OK. I have Mint for 32 and 64 on DVD as I installed it on an ancient Vista laptop for my daughter so I'll give that a try tomorrow using a USB DVD drive.

Not sure how I missed the F12 boot option - I probably didn't look past the Bios not having the option.

Thanks for the links

EveryWhere

kwikbreaks wrote: »

It currently has a 32 bit OS so I doubt it can support 64bit. I have a Macrium reflect recovery 32 bit usb stick and got that to boot OK. I have Mint for 32 and 64 on DVD as I installed it on an ancient Vista laptop for my daughter so I'll give that a try tomorrow using a USB DVD drive.

Not sure how I missed the F12 boot option - I probably didn't look past the Bios not having the option.

Thanks for the links

That's why you utilise the PE environment if you want to install 32 bit and it isn't working, even with the correct partition scheme..

What's the brand name and model number of the "ancient Vista laptop"?

kwikbreaks

The Vista laptop was fine it's this little laptop that is playing me up. It wouldn't boot from USB DVD and the USB boot disk I just made won't work - I need to check those instructions in your earlier link, I'll likely never use the thing but it has become a challenge now

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Unfortunately that method won't work for running a live CD and I don't need to reinstall Win10. I checked how to make a UEFI bootable USB drive and foud something recommending Win32DiskImager while I had used balenaEtcher. I remade the USB drive but it still isn't being recognised as bootable. I'll come back to this later when I have more time.