Cannot Boot From Recovery CD

thanks...I will give it a try, may take me awhile. I should download the 32-bit Linux version, even though I have a 64-bit system?

So I have to download Linux on a friend's computer (as obviously mine doesn't work). If I have to "run" t on his computer in order to burn it to a DVD, will that change his computer at all? (He's nervous).
thanks...

Diana,
- Linux is an excellent OS. I have Lubuntu on my computer (dual boot).
As Jim suggested you can make a CD from a iso file (just burn the iso file to a CD), boot from it and then browse your HDD and copy your files to an external disk.
- I think you'll be disappointed with the new computer. Last I've build my new computer and haven't seen any difference between the old and the new.
- SSD's has been the big improvement since multi core CPU. It's expensive but very fast (6x average HDD). You boot in about 25 Sec and programs open at the blink of an eye.
- New computers come with Win 10, that I think is trash.

That said:
- I would retrieve your data with Linux.
- I would try to launch (from BIOS) the Factory Recover (or using the Dell CD).
- If Factory Recover can't be used, you can always do a clean install of Win 7 and use the COA key to activate. If you don't have a Win 7 installation disk I can send you a M$ link to you download it.
- Any way, after a installation there are tons of updates MS releases SP2 for Windows 7 - Windows 7 Help Forums

Edit: You download the Linux iso file to your friends computer and burn a CD / DVD. You don't execute any Linux program on his computer. You use Windows CD / DVD burner to transfer Linux iso file to the CD.

newenglandmom2 said:

thanks...I will give it a try, may take me awhile. I should download the 32-bit Linux version, even though I have a 64-bit system?

Because your computer is 64-bit, you could go with either version of Linux. I have a 64-bit computer, and I installed 32-bit Mint on it; and it runs very fast. I've decided not to mess with success, so I'm leaving it on 32-bit for now.

By the way, this process is very easy. Don't panic.

The only thing I've found a bit complicated is if you try to install Linux Mint onto your hard drive as the default OS. I suggest that you do that before buying another computer, just to see what you think about it. You may just decide to stick with Linux on the old computer rather than buying a new computer.

darn. made the Linux DVD. inserted it, booted to CD/DVD drive...but then all I get is a flashing hyphen, in the upper left corner, of a fairly dark screen. Been like that for about 20 minutes. Should it take awhile?

SIW2, I tried your suggestion, downloaded and copied the boot media to a usb drive. Booted to USB drive, and the message says "Operating System is missing."

I still think I need to do something in the diskpart commands to get it to recognize Windows 7. It was doing that, until I performed the diskpart operation liinked in my first post in this thread. I got it to stop booting to the diagnostics window. But it still does not see Windows 7 when I boot from the Windows Recovery (factory-issued) CD.

OK, sorry. I apparently don't know how to burn a DVD. I just "sent" the Linux files to the DVD, and the same with the USB. I will have to teach myself. I don't know how to unzip a file, especially on someone else's computer. I willget back to you tomorrow. Thanks again.