[Psychocoyote]

So here is what's going down, we all know how it works typical turn your computer oh crap "Operating system not found". However my case is a bit abnormal. I have a Dell Mini-Inspiron.



http://www.techshout.com/images/dell...ron-laptop.jpg

Take a look at that, you have well noticed that this sucker does not have a CD Drive. So I always tried an external CD Drive but that never worked well for me. Anyway I dont care if everything is lost I have no significant data on the laptop.

I plugged in the CD Drive and it doesn't recognize it, so any suggestions on what to do to fix my laptop?

I appreciate any help or any output anyone has to offer.

[vicks]

Welcome to TSG!
Might try tapping the F8 key (gently) while booting. This should open the safe mode,
Select last known good configuration and let it boot.
After it boots, you can click on Start> My computer (maybe computer) if the cd drive is attached, it should show in my computer as a removable drive.
Vicks

[Psychocoyote]

Well I cant even get that far, the moment I turn the computer on it does a quick load with the Dell Screen and says press 2 for set up and press 0 for the boot menu, after it loads it promptly asks me for the Admin Password and then immediately after it gives me some short statistics and says that the Operating System was not found.

[abcdjzmcbt]

At this point your only real options are going to be a fresh OS reinstall. Since we can only communicate to this computer through USB that means we have 2 options. Remember any of these options will delete all data on the computer.

1. Use the recovery partition. When you turn it on you need to press a certain key to enter it. Keep repeatedly hitting CTRL+F11 as soon as you turn the computer on. If that does not work try F10, or F11. If that does not work, it may tell you on the bottom or top of the screen which key to press to enter recovery. If nothing works, I would call Dell because I cant imagine a computer with no cd or recovery partition.

2. Use a flash drive to install windows from. I have never done this before but its worth a shot and may be your only other option. Definitely call Dell first because I don't know how this would alter your warranty with them. But here is a place to start.

http://www.google.com/search?q=insta...ient=firefox-a

Hope that helps.

[Psychocoyote]

Thanks Abc, Ill give it a try, the 2nd option I already tried but it didnt really work. Worst Case scenario ill call Dell

[vicks]

Been awhile since I had to contact Dell, but I believe you can do it via IM. You will need to have your model # and service tag #.
Vicks

[Psychocoyote]

I believe its safe to assume that would be all the blurred out writing at the bottom of the laptop

[ISDP]

Remember if you purchased the unit from a local retail BestBuy Walmart etc. You can return the product there ifs its still under manufacture warranty. And a proof of purchase of course otherwise give dell a ring.