How to overcome Ubantu

[Gibbs2]

Just got a new Dell laptop, but it has Ubantu and I want to replace it with Windows, does not recognise disc, aircard etc etc, real rubbish, how can I rid my computer of this junk??

[Crossy]

Insert your Windows CD or USB.

 

Select the correct boot device when you turn the machine on (exactly how depends upon your BIOS)

 

Install Windows.

 

QED.

[Gibbs2]

Thanks Crossy but it will not let me do this, tried already

[Crossy]

5 hours ago, Gibbs2 said:

Thanks Crossy but it will not let me do this, tried already

 

Exactly what does it say when it "won't let you do it"?

 

Have you entered the BIOS?

 

Are you using a CD/DVD or a USB with Windows on it?

[wpcoe]

If you're using a USB stick, is the USB port on the computer USB2 or USB3?  Also, which version of Windows are you installing?

[Gibbs2]

It does not recognise the cd, it does not recognise my true aircard in any of the slots, I want to install windows 7 pro, I go to the bios and change the boot and it says I cannot boot from cd as it is locked, a right pile of junk

[Oxx]

1 hour ago, Gibbs2 said:

a right pile of junk

 

Don't be so hard on yourself.  Not everybody is technically competent.

[Gibbs2]

so if you are shed the light

[thaipara]

Google "replace ubuntu with windows on Dell laptpop"  , no quotes. Lots of information there. If you need model-specific info for some reason add that into the search query. 
 

[sikishrory]

Seems odd that its "locked". Im assuming you have fiddled around with the boot order  (rather than "boot from") already so it boots from cd first.

Is USB also "locked"?

"Its locked" doesn't really explain much. If you had a screenshot or pic it might help.

I used to use ubuntu occasionally but only ever direct from cd. 

Off the top off my head deleting partitions or installing windows from inside ubuntu is maybe other ideas worth looking into.

[gandalf12]

Have you run 'update' for Ubuntu? It may well pick up the drivers for the things that don't work. If so and it still doesn't work you could download the newest version of Ubuntu and install that or as below.

I assume you have the Windows 7 disc. If all else fails download "dban" and burn the ISO file to disk (make a boot able disk from the ISO file). Change the boot order to DVD drive and reboot.

It takes time but at the end you will have a completely wiped drive.

Insert the windows CD and reboot with the drive as the first priority.

Should have no problems

Edited September 17, 2016 by gandalf12

[hatewaitin]

If it has a skylake processor it needs to have a modified usb boot process otherwise it won't work

 

[johnnynmonic]

Newer machines have a hard time with an OS as old as win7. Make sure you enable legacy settings in the BIOS, and be prepared for hours of googling as you try to find Windows 7 drivers. Some of the newer hardware doesn't even HAVE drivers that old. You might just get a copy of 8.1 or 10 (once you figure out how to boot from CD or USB.

[steve187]

looks like a trip to a shop for you,  a usb stick with windows on should work, ( maybe with a bit of messing around with setting ec.) what bios is on the computer.

have you formatted the hard disk

 

windows 7 may be too old for a new computer

Edited September 17, 2016 by steve187

[elgenon]

Why didn't it have Win 10? I just bought a new Dell with Win 10. Just wondering so I don't make a mistake next time.

[theguyfromanotherforum]

If you want to save money by buying a computer without Windows, always buy a DOS machine and install what you like.

[lucifer666]

Boot into Ubuntu and run the Windows setup from there

[BKKdreaming]

10 minutes ago, lucifer666 said:

Boot into Ubuntu and run the Windows setup from there

is there a way to download a clean copy of windows 7 from microsoft , install it  and use as a 30 day trial or something ,

 

and later add the serial number ?   

[Gibbs2]

Thanks for all the replies, tried to buy with win 10 could not find anywhere near me, ready to throw in bin and buy another one, piece of absolute junk, will try a computer shop and see what they can do.

[sendintheclowns]

From a computer challenger user, I suggest that you save yourself a lot of grief - and take the Dell to a reliable computer service shop (preferably the Dell dealer you bought from).

Couple of questions: did you buy  it new, or was it ''refurbished'' ?

Is the Win7 disk a genuine copy (where did you buy it from and was it in an sealed box).?

What model Dell did you buy?.

This is a wild guess, but a Dell with an older motherboard may have problems loading Win7. (a even wilder thought is based on an experience I just went through - I had a new motherboard installed and the shop forgot to set the BIOS to ''Win 7 enabled'' status). If you are going to throw it away - donate it to your local school.

[Oxx]

On 17/09/2016 at 7:14 AM, Gibbs2 said:

I go to the bios and change the boot and it says I cannot boot from cd as it is locked

 

If this is correct, the problem is nothing at all to do with Ubuntu - it's a BIOS issue.

 

Assuming this is genuine, new Dell PC, one possibility is that Dell has locked the drive to prevent people installing pirated versions of Windows.

 

There are a few posts elsewhere that suggest that Dell does sometimes prevent booting from CD through BIOS.

 

Anyway, the obvious thing to do would be to contact Dell and ask them how to boot from CD with your particular model of laptop.

 

You could also search the web for CD-related problems with your particular version of BIOS.  That may throw some light on matters.