Installing an OS using a USB drive

[thomasjamesbullock]

Hi guys,
I built a new PC, however kept the hard drives and now when I boot it up it is saying 'Missing Operating System'. Is Windows 10 stored somewhere else other then the hard drives?
If so can someone help me by telling me how to install an OS like Ubuntu or Linux using a USB drive as I do not have an optical drive in my new PC
Thanks a lot

 

[manddy123]

No it is not, maybe on a SSD tho... But the motherboard change may have messed up with the bootin system. That's why it's always recommended you do a fresh-install of the OS whenever you change the MOBO.

To install any OS, follow these steps:
https://www.howtogeek.com/191054/how-to-create-bootable-usb-drives-and-sd-cards-for-every-operating-system/

Then, boot into your BIOS, you just have to spam press the corresponding key on your keyboard right after the PC starts to turn on.
There, change the boot order. Instead of the HDD you'll boot from the USB. Restart the machine and you'll be right at the setup for the new OS

Useful links for above steps:
https://www.howtogeek.com/129815/beginner-geek-how-to-change-the-boot-order-in-your-computers-bios/
https://www.lifewire.com/change-the-boot-order-in-bios-2624528

 

[ingtar33]

the problem you're having is the OS is configured for your motherboard/cpu and in win10's case the bios. By removing the hard drive and dropping it into a whole new system the install will break. You'll need a windows 10 install disk (or usb), boot the system into recovery mode, and see if win10 can fix itself. There is a lot that goes into making what you're trying work, and chances are, it won't.

Also, make sure your OS drive is designated as the primary boot in the bios, make sure UEFI is on, and legacy boot is off.

Generally if the hardware is different enough what you're trying won't work without a wipe/reload. It was easier to fix in win7, win10 has a lot going on that complicates this move.