F5F Stay Refreshed Software Operating Systems Setting up a USB drive on an Inspiron 3043 involves connecting it properly and ensuring compatibility.

Setting up a USB drive on an Inspiron 3043 involves connecting it properly and ensuring compatibility.

Setting up a USB drive on an Inspiron 3043 involves connecting it properly and ensuring compatibility.

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LaniBooster
Senior Member
344
12-16-2016, 05:49 PM
#1
I received a Dell Inspiron for free because the previous owner let 8 upgrade to Windows 10, which eventually broke and got bricked (as they say with 10). They’re considering putting it back on Windows 8 or maybe XP if that’s feasible. How can I get it to boot from USB so I can install Linux or another OS? When trying to boot from USB, it asks for a specific path, which I’m not sure about—especially since I don’t remember the exact location in BIOS. I’m not sure if installing 7 or XP is possible, but I know 8 and 8.1 work as they originally did.
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LaniBooster
12-16-2016, 05:49 PM #1

I received a Dell Inspiron for free because the previous owner let 8 upgrade to Windows 10, which eventually broke and got bricked (as they say with 10). They’re considering putting it back on Windows 8 or maybe XP if that’s feasible. How can I get it to boot from USB so I can install Linux or another OS? When trying to boot from USB, it asks for a specific path, which I’m not sure about—especially since I don’t remember the exact location in BIOS. I’m not sure if installing 7 or XP is possible, but I know 8 and 8.1 work as they originally did.

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xAdriLCT
Senior Member
702
12-20-2016, 07:47 PM
#2
I think F9 or F12 is the system key on these old Dells. Encourage them to press it at startup, and in the boot menu select your USB stick—it will appear as the drive model, such as SanDisk 16gb named SanDisk 16sidfbiwerhi as an example.
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xAdriLCT
12-20-2016, 07:47 PM #2

I think F9 or F12 is the system key on these old Dells. Encourage them to press it at startup, and in the boot menu select your USB stick—it will appear as the drive model, such as SanDisk 16gb named SanDisk 16sidfbiwerhi as an example.

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nooneepic27
Member
227
12-29-2016, 03:53 PM
#3
I noticed what I was doing, but when I try again it won’t boot and keeps asking for a boot file path. Other machines work without issues.
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nooneepic27
12-29-2016, 03:53 PM #3

I noticed what I was doing, but when I try again it won’t boot and keeps asking for a boot file path. Other machines work without issues.

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AthenasLight
Posting Freak
781
12-29-2016, 05:48 PM
#4
yea i cant seem to use legacy on the bios like its only UFEI but its wired it IS a bios, i was able to get windows 10 to boot and get in with pcunlocker, but now it booted THAT, but it wont boot windows xp, i guess can only go down to like windwos 8 or 7 with UFEI? computer is SUPER SLOW and seems like dumb dell decided to put 8.1 on it?!?! when really a computer like that should of came with XP or something. should i update the bios to enable legacy? read somewhere it needs a bios update to ge ton legacy but it installs from windows and afried computer is so slow an dsluggish it will brick if attempt to install the BIOS update. i read theres a complicated way to get 7 installed as UFEI but dosent 7 8 adn 10 take about same amoutnt computing resources? obviusly needs to be used as a classic xp computer or soem lite linux distro.i heard wine has inproved on linux? althugh isntalling programs on linux not found in the "apps store" is a NIGHTMARE!
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AthenasLight
12-29-2016, 05:48 PM #4

yea i cant seem to use legacy on the bios like its only UFEI but its wired it IS a bios, i was able to get windows 10 to boot and get in with pcunlocker, but now it booted THAT, but it wont boot windows xp, i guess can only go down to like windwos 8 or 7 with UFEI? computer is SUPER SLOW and seems like dumb dell decided to put 8.1 on it?!?! when really a computer like that should of came with XP or something. should i update the bios to enable legacy? read somewhere it needs a bios update to ge ton legacy but it installs from windows and afried computer is so slow an dsluggish it will brick if attempt to install the BIOS update. i read theres a complicated way to get 7 installed as UFEI but dosent 7 8 adn 10 take about same amoutnt computing resources? obviusly needs to be used as a classic xp computer or soem lite linux distro.i heard wine has inproved on linux? althugh isntalling programs on linux not found in the "apps store" is a NIGHTMARE!