Installing windows 8 on a Inspiron 3521

DendeTheWizard · Apr 23, 2017

I got a new harddrive for this laptop and I put in a disk that had DX 7.0 software on it, that came with the laptop to reinstall, I go to boot settings and enter (select) at the Cd/dvd section and it still says No boot device found. I'm assuming I didn't put in the harddrive wrong because it shows something beside fixed HDD.

Sorry for being to straight forward but it's late and I am extremely frustrated with this considering it's one of my classmates laptop and I just want it to be fixed already

http://imgur.com/a/uExJt

(I know it doesn't line up in this picture but that's just the angle)

SchizTech · Apr 23, 2017

It doesn't sound like the disk you're trying to boot from is bootable. The disk needs to be a Windows install disk. Does it have to be Windows 8, by the way? Though the free upgrade is officially over in fact the activation servers still activate 10 with 7/8/8.1 keys.

USAFRet · Apr 23, 2017

DendeTheWizard :

The new drive has no OS.
Neither does this DVD you have.

1. What prompted you to install a new drive?
2. On the original drive, there was a factory recovery partition. This exists to allow to do either Reinstall to factory spec from that drive...or...create your own DVD set to reinstall and bring back to factory spec.
However, no one ever creates those DVDs until it is too late. As you are seeing now.

Since that original drive is no longer in there, you have nothing to install from.

DendeTheWizard · Apr 23, 2017

USAFRet :

DendeTheWizard :

The new drive has no OS.
Neither does this DVD you have.

1. What prompted you to install a new drive?
2. On the original drive, there was a factory recovery partition. This exists to allow to do either Reinstall to factory spec from that drive...or...create your own DVD set to reinstall and bring back to factory spec.

Since that original drive is no longer in there, you have nothing to install from.

The old drive was dead, so my classmate bought a new one and asked me to put it in, I did and then he gave me the disks and said to install windows with this. So am I screwed?

SchizTech · Apr 23, 2017

Windows images are downloadable from Microsoft. To download 7 or 8.1 you need a key, though the download assistant for 10 may run without one.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/home

SchizTech · Apr 23, 2017

However, you mention you have multiple disks. What are the other ones labeled?

USAFRet · Apr 23, 2017

DendeTheWizard :

This might work;
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows8

Download that, create your own DVD or USB.
See if it installs and activates itself.

DendeTheWizard · Apr 23, 2017

SchizTech :

Drivers and documentation, Dell IN2010N Flat Panel Monitor
Re-installing Dell Inspiron (Desktop computer software)
Microsoft Life Cam 3.0
Cyberlink DX 7.0 Software
Reinstalling Dell Inspiron 530/530s
Roxio creator & MyDVD 9.0 DE

DendeTheWizard · Apr 23, 2017

USAFRet :

DendeTheWizard :

This might work;
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows8

Download that, create your own DVD or USB.
See if it installs and activates itself.

Don't I need a product key?

SchizTech · Apr 23, 2017

The one labeled "Re-installing Dell Inspiron (Desktop computer software)" might be the OS restore disk that came with it. As USAF and I mention though, a new Windows 10 disk from the link should work too. If it automatically activates (seeing the 8 key in the BIOS as the source) you're good. Once that's done, just make sure the drivers are up to date; if you do go the 10 route that version of Windows usually aggressively downloads new drivers from Windows Update right away.

DendeTheWizard · Apr 23, 2017

SchizTech :

Ok I'm going to try the disk first and if that doesn't work I'll download it and transfer it

SchizTech · Apr 23, 2017

Don't I need a product key?

The 8.1 and 7 download tools explicitly ask for one, the 10 downloader appears not to. The installer created will ask for a key but you can skip it. It will probably activate itself once it goes online (you can check this by going to Settings > Update and Recovery > Activation)

USAFRet · Apr 23, 2017

DendeTheWizard :

Possibly not.
To download that tool for 8.1, no. Used to be required, but they changed that.
For the install and activation, I've seen laptops with an OEM manufacturer install of 8/8.1 just activate itself with a new install.

Try it and see what happens.

SkyNetRising · Apr 23, 2017

DendeTheWizard :

Why would you try to install windows 8 with disk that contains DirectX 7.0 software on it? You need windows 8 installation media not some DirectX 7.0 disk.

DendeTheWizard · Apr 23, 2017

SchizTech :

So I tried the disk and this screen showed up
http://imgur.com/a/PLhIW

DendeTheWizard · Apr 23, 2017

SkyNetRising :

because I have no idea what I'm doing. I didn't even want to fix this laptop but one day my classmate walked up to me in lunch period, gave me the laptop and said fix it.

SkyNetRising · Apr 23, 2017

DendeTheWizard :

That's hilarious. :lol:
Return the laptop and tell, that "you have no idea what you're doing".

DendeTheWizard · Apr 23, 2017

SkyNetRising :

I told him that already, he told me to google it.

SchizTech · Apr 23, 2017

So I tried the disk and this screen showed up
http://imgur.com/a/PLhIW

Well alright. Try the Windows 10 download link. You'll need either a blank DVD or a flash drive (at least 4GB); the download assistant can make it ready for you.

SkyNetRising · Apr 23, 2017

DendeTheWizard :

What do you get from that? Is he paying you?

USAFRet · Apr 23, 2017

DendeTheWizard :

So give it back.
Failure to prepare on his part does not constitute an emergency on your part.

Installing windows 8 on a Inspiron 3521

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