Solved Problems Connecting to the Internet

[kodakjack]

I tried burning another DVD based on the link given for a tutorial. All I can see is that it's another way to do what I already did. It assumes you are either doing an ISO or IMG files to begin with. It did not offer me an option to burn either, it assumes that is what you are burning. I don't understand what makes the file bootable or not.
While the F2 does not seem to work on this machine, it does on the XP machine, but I wasn't sure how to get it to go to the DVD while I was in that mode - it did not do it automatically.
I'm beginning to think this stuff is beyond my capabilities and it's getting very frustrating.
P.S. I right clicked on the file and, in properties, it says it's a Disc Image File (.iso).

 

[GokAy]

Could you attach a picture of logo screen nevertheless please?

 

[kodakjack]

Since I don't see how to add an attachment to a regular reply, I'll try this quick reply that does have an attachment manager. Sorry about the quality. It shows a round circle with Dell in it.

 

[GokAy]

Quick Reply doesn't have attachment manager, you have to "Go Advanced" and use the paperclip.

Anyway, I was hoping to see the whole screen but bottom is missing. Hmm, did you try pressing ESC in this screen? If doesn't work, try Pause/Break too.

 

[kodakjack]

There isn't anything else on the screen. I'll try hitting others keys tomorrow( I'm on my iPad and it's getting late).
I checked the DVD and it only has one big file on it. I have no idea how to get a bootable version. I went to the site, picked a version and a mirror site to download from. I downloaded the file, double clicked it and it wanted to burn a DVD. I have no idea where to go with this from here.

 

[UsernameIssues]

> I checked the DVD and it only has one big file on it.
Then it will not be bootable.

> I have no idea how to get a bootable version.
> I went to the site, picked a version and a mirror site to download from.
"bootable" has nothing to do with how the file is downloaded. It has everything to do with how the file was burned to the DVD.

> I downloaded the file, double clicked it and it wanted to burn a DVD.
Double clicking on it is not one of the steps mentioned here:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/548-burn-disc-image-iso-img-file.html
See step 2.

I've never done those steps, so this is only a guess:
It looks like double clicking burns the file as a file (data)
vs.
Right clicking - which should present a context menu as shown in step 2.

If you do not see the context menu shown in step two, then don't waste another DVD.


I really doubt that you need to change anything in BIOS.

Let's concentrate on making a bootable DVD first.


Hang in there.

 

[kodakjack]

If I use the right button and click on the file, it does give me an option to burn a DVD( sorry, it was on top in plane sight). If I double click the file, I get the exact same thing. I see nothing in that tutorial having to do with it ending up a bootable disc - you get what you get.
I know this sounds asinine, but I clicked on this site from my favorites and it just sat there NOT connecting. I figured I wasn't going to waste 1/2 of my day sitting and waiting, so, I got my iPad and was going to look at this through that. As soon as I powered up my iPad, I got a connection on my Windows 7 machine. It seems to be more than a coincidence because it's happened a few times before.
IF the solution to a Windows 7 problem is downloading a completely different operating system, then maybe you can download the same file the same way I did and burn a DVD like I did and verify it works, because it sure looks like I can't. If you can get it to work, please come back with detailed instructions on what to do and tell me what I'm doing wrong. Is there something wrong or different with Dell's version of the operating system? The things I'm being told to do aren't working for me.

NOTE: I just went to the Linux site and looked up the mint mate 64 bit download "Known Issues" and it says:

Note: Linux Mint does not use digital signatures and does not register to be certified by Microsoft as being a "secure" OS. As such, it will not boot with SecureBoot. If your system is using secureBoot, turn it off.

As usual, I don't know what needs to be done here.

 

[GokAy]

I am getting the exact context menu entry as in the tutorial in a Virtual Machine (Win7 Pro x64).
But my own machine has "Burn using Imgburn" since I have that software installed. maybe you have a CD/DVD writing software that has changed the entry?

 

[kodakjack]

I am using Windows 7 Home edition. I am using whatever comes with it. I am not using Windows Pro and have a real Dell machine. I have specifically asked if there is something inherently different with Dell's version of Windows 7, but have not received an answer. It is entirely possible that we are talking apples and oranges as the things you guys are asking me to do aren't working as prescribed.

 

[UsernameIssues]

If I use the right button and click on the file, it does give me an option to burn a DVD( sorry, it was on top in plane sight)....

The wording is important. Does the context menu that you get when you right click on the ISO file say Burn disc image? If yes, then please try to make the DVD one last time. If no, let us know exactly what it says.


You are correct. The tutorial does not mention the word bootable, nor should it. The tutorial tells us how to make a disc image. Whether or not the end result is a bootable CD or DVD depends on the contents of the ISO file.

"Disc image" means that the files within the ISO will be written to the disc (e.g. the ISO file itself will not be burned to disc). The end result should be a mirror image of the original disc that the ISO was made from.

"Burn to disc" means that a data disc will be made. Only the ISO file will be burned to disc as is (e.g. one big file).


Don't concern yourself with secure boot just yet.


Hang in there.

 

[UsernameIssues]

I am using Windows 7 Home edition. I am using whatever comes with it. I am not using Windows Pro and have a real Dell machine. I have specifically asked if there is something inherently different with Dell's version of Windows 7, but have not received an answer. It is entirely possible that we are talking apples and oranges as the things you guys are asking me to do aren't working as prescribed.

Windows 7 Home edition should show you the same context menu for this task and Windows 7 Pro.

Dell might have installed 3rd party software to handle the burning of DVDs. There is a warning about that in the pink box in the tutorial that we linked to. But don't concern yourself with that. Just let us know what you see when you right click on the ISO file.

 

[UsernameIssues]

As soon as I powered up my iPad, I got a connection on my Windows 7 machine. It seems to be more than a coincidence because it's happened a few times before.

That is interesting. I'm not sure what to make of that just yet.

IF the solution to a Windows 7 problem is downloading a completely different operating system, then maybe you can download the same file the same way I did and burn a DVD like I did and verify it works, because it sure looks like I can't. If you can get it to work, please come back with detailed instructions on what to do and tell me what I'm doing wrong.

I downloaded both the 32bit and the 64bit ISO files and tested them. I was able to boot to both using a virtual machine. I did not burn them to a DVD because I don't have any blank DVDs.

...please come back with detailed instructions on what to do...

I do not think that I can get any more detailed that that tutorial. Starting the process via right click should yield different results than double clicking on the ISO file.

 

[kodakjack]

FWIW, I have done all of my posting activity from my iPad today because I could not get a connection on the Windows 7 machine. The last time I tried, it took a good 15 minutes before it did connect. I know I mentioned the iPad trick, but I guess, for as often as it did work, that it was a fluke. It did not work for me this last time.
Even though I get exactly the same screen whether I right click or double click on the file, I'll make yet another DVD and see if it work.

 

[GokAy]

Can you right click the ISO and take a screenshot when the context menu is open? or just write the menu down. Whichever you feel is easier.

 

[UsernameIssues]

I suggested making another DVD only if the wording on the context menu is exactly as I stated. If it is not, then do not make another DVD... just let us know what the exact wording is.

 

[kodakjack]

Eureka, I have a "good" DVD, but it will not boot. This time when I stuck the DVD in the drive, it ran and I was asked what I wanted it to do. The only selection from Windows Media Player (Auto Play) was to "Open Folder to View Files". I did that and it showed me what was on the DVD and it did have a boot file, but it didn't do an auto boot. I did this while still in Windows to see if it would work. Remember, the Linux Mint site said it was not bootable.

 

[GokAy]

Does it look like this?



And did you try restarting PC with that loaded?

 

[kodakjack]

I just tried starting with the DVD in the drive and the drive ran, but Windows completely bypassed it and did its usual boot routine.
Yes, the files look like that. There is a boot file. For clarification, the download is:
Linuxmint-17.2-mate-64bit

 

[GokAy]

Yes, I downloaded a while back so mine is 17.1. Did you get any Press any key to boot from the CD warning?
Would you try again please? Just keep tapping space right after you see Dell logo until Windows logo.

We can't do anything if we can't get into BIOS, maybe repair install but you would need the Windows 7 Installation ISO\DVD\USB

And we are trying to boot Linux to see if it's a hardware issue or not

 

[UsernameIssues]

Eureka, I have a "good" DVD,...

..."Open Folder to View Files". I did that and it showed me what was on the DVD and it did have a boot file, but it didn't do an auto boot....

I do not know what you mean by "it didn't do an auto boot". Where you expecting the computer to reboot just because you looked at the file on the DVD via Windows (file) Explorer?

...Remember, the Linux Mint site said it was not bootable.

Are you talking about the secure boot statement?