On my desktop computer, I have had Windows 8 installed for a few weeks, but decided to return to Win 7. So with Win 8 there is a place that says something about doing a either Refresh your computer and keep your files, and there is one to do a total re-install of the system. Well I did the "Total Re-install like it came from the factory". I'm paraphrasing of course but it's something like that. Anyway It did it's job. There is nothing left on the computer which is fine, but when I try to install Win 7, Win 8, and even Win Vista, I just get a message "An operating System wasn't found. Try disconnecting any drives that don't contain an operating system". I sure hope somebody can help me.
you formatted your hdd how ? btw the newer versions of windows love to make secret hdd partitions. hirens-bootcd ultimate-bootcd linux live boot cd "gparted edit: ya i know typo..
...when I try to install Win 7, Win 8, and even Win Vista... Aren't you partitioning / formatting during the install process using your media?
All I have done was insert the disk for the OS and in the past it would just ask me about installing. This time it won't do that. I'm not that great with computers, so I have no clue about what happened. I thought I just formatted the computer like I have hundreds of times in the past.
When you try to install Vista or 7, are you using a DVD? If so, you may have omitted setting the BIOS to see the optical drive before the HDD... Tapping one of the F keys repeatedly during boot will take you to the BIOS (try F2) or the boot menu (try F12). Then either move your optical drive up to 1st place in boot section of BIOS or boot menu respectively. Restart the machine with the DVD inserted and press any key to boot from it if prompted on screen during start up.
Yes I'm using the original OS disks. I have even tried the Recovery disk (Vista) that came with the computer. And like I said, I also have tried Win7, and the Win 8 that I just bought a couple of weeks ago and still nothing works. I'm really confused.
OK, but did you see my last post (#5)? You won't be able to format and install if the machine isn't booting correctly from the DVD! That's when you'll get the 'No operating system found' message when the machine finds nothing on your HDD. You need to set the BIOS to see the optical drive first, as per my last post...
Good luck! If BIOS isn't accessed by tapping F2, try tapping Delete instead... You may also have an on-screen prompt when you start the machine, telling you which key to tap for 'set up' (BIOS) or 'Boot Menu', though this may be too fast to catch... Once you're into the BIOS, you're looking for Boot > Boot Order, or words to that effect. Don't tinker with anything else...
Wow, that worked Philby! Windows 7 is installing right now. Thanks very much for the help. That's what I like about Wilders, there's always someone that can help if a problem comes up.
after setting bios to boot form cd/dvd 1st then hardisk one more thing i like to add when you install windows form cd/dvd you need to tap any key or else it run default form hardisk ie you see ......... (dots) and you need to tap any key of keyboard to boot form dvd and start installer or else it take default boot as boot form hardisk not DVD
