No OS installed, need to do a factory restore.

jmanwithplan · 29 May 2012

Vista install disc doesn't seem to do anything. It acts like there is no CD in there, even though I have it set to read the CD first before hard disk.

Kaktussoft · 29 May 2012

jmanwithplan said:

yes.

you have vista install disk?

Kaktussoft · 29 May 2012

jmanwithplan said:

Vista install disc doesn't seem to do anything. It acts like there is no CD in there, even though I have it set to read the CD first before hard disk.

Sure it's a vista install disk? Change BIOS and set CD/DVD as first boot device!!
Does it also not work on VISTA machine itself?

jmanwithplan · 29 May 2012

It works on vista machine, but doesn't work with windows 7 machine.

Kaktussoft · 29 May 2012

jmanwithplan said:

Vista install disc doesn't seem to do anything. It acts like there is no CD in there, even though I have it set to read the CD first before hard disk.

Select in BIOS (problem machine) to ONLY boot from CD. Just as a test. Does it boot from CD? If not what error message? Try again withoud DVD inserted. What error?

Kaktussoft · 29 May 2012

jmanwithplan said:

Yes, I just found that out. I'm thinking about purchasing it. It's a lot cheaper than having a professional look at it. I'm sure there is another solution to make an ISO bootable from a USB.

sure there is!! But the problem is:

It's an image meant to be on CD/DVD. So the program knows how to lookup files on CD/DVD file system. So not on NTFS or FAT32 file system.
It does support more file systems for it's own files to lookup. Probably it's linux (?) So it must be a linux partition. maybe ext3, ext4 type(?)
partition boot sector must load the correct file!! the linux bootmgr.

It's not as easy as you think!

jmanwithplan · 29 May 2012

With vista CD in the drive, and CD set to the only boot priority (the others disabled) I get the message - "no boot device available, press f1 to reboot, press f2 to enter setup) Without the CD, I get the same message.

It's weird though. I tried a paragon recovery disc, and it worked, and a windows 8 disc worked a little bit, and a ubuntu disc worked, but they only worked once and then they didn't work.

jmanwithplan · 29 May 2012

And about ISOs being booted from a USB - It has something to do with writing a MBR to the USB. There is a program I tried before that did it. And I also did it with Joli OS - which is linux. I forget the name of the dang program!

This other program you mentioned is just for burning windows 7

Kaktussoft · 29 May 2012

jmanwithplan said:

With vista CD in the drive, and CD set to the only boot priority (the others disabled) I get the message - "no boot device available, press f1 to reboot, press f2 to enter setup) Without the CD, I get the same message.

It's weird though. I tried a paragon recovery disc, and it worked, and a windows 8 disc worked a little bit, and a ubuntu disc worked, but they only worked once and then they didn't work.

When did you do that? Now none of them work? always "no boot device available" now?

Kaktussoft · 29 May 2012

Does CD/DVD spin? So it has power? Try to boot from CD/DVD and the after "no boot device available" it says press f1 to reboot. press f1 then. Does it work then?