[Redstiza]

So I have this laptop that is pretty new, but just extremely slow when trying to do anything and has been since the day I bought it. It had Windows 8.1 at the start which I eventually just let update to 10. There wasn't any difference and since it had no CD drive I made a bootable USB with Ubuntu to install that.

The problem is some of the programs I want to use with it that I have on my main computer aren't compatible or run terribly with Wine. So now I want to switch back.

I tried to make multiple bootable USBs for Windows XP, 7, and 8 (to see if I can just go back to 10 from that) by downloading ISOs. None of them would work when I go into F2 and try to boot from USB, it just flashes and takes me back to that menu with no progress. I don't know if I did it wrong somehow but it was with the same program that I used to make a bootable for Ubuntu, "rufus2.8".

The laptop is an ASUS X200MA.

Can anyone give me some help with this, I just want to install any version of Windows I can from XP and up. No dual booting just a complete re-installation of the OS.

 

[JMPC]

You can create Windows 10 install media using the media creation tool:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

If you have a retail Windows 7 license you can use this tool:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows7
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/windows-usb-dvd-download-tool

 

[Rich-M]

I think the problem you are facing is the linux boot loader and OS preventing your install. Why not run "Kill Disk" first to wipe the drive and then try your install disks as removing Linux can be tricky.
How to erase hard drive by [email protected] KillDisk? Low Level Disk Format & Disk Sanitizer.

 

[Redstiza]

I think the problem you are facing is the linux boot loader and OS preventing your install. Why not run "Kill Disk" first to wipe the drive and then try your install disks as removing Linux can be tricky.
How to erase hard drive by [email protected] KillDisk? Low Level Disk Format & Disk Sanitizer.

That does seem to be the problem actually, but when trying to use [email protected] KillDisk to make a bootable USB for it on my main computer that still doesn't seem to work. I got the message saying it was successful but when trying to boot from the drive containing Kill Disk on the laptop, nothing happened and it just takes me back to the F2 boot menu.

 

[Rich-M]

Has to be the UEFI bios then. Can you get in there and return to legacy boot disabling secure boot as well, then move up usb boot device disabling uefi boot.

 

[Redstiza]

I don't see any options on there about legacy booting... that would be in the F2 menu, right?

This is what it looks like for me:

Could it be the option "Launch EFI shell..."?

 

[Rich-M]

No that's not it.That doesn't look like UEFI bios either.
The only other thing would be to boot to Parted Magic and delete the partition
but you can't seem to boot to usb device.
Can yhou boot to F12 or F9 and choose the usb device to boot to, with no UEFI Bios you should be able to do that. Start tapping each after pressing the power button until you see the option to choose boot device.

 

[Redstiza]

Pressing F12, F9, and F8 just flicker the screen and toggle it from black to the Ubuntu boot up menu each time they're pressed. If left black it still starts up eventually like usual.

Would a disc be a much easier option? I was looking into an external drive that plugs into USB to let me test out a physical copy but not sure if it would just have the same issue...

 

[Rich-M]

Yes and you probably should have an external dvd player anyway.

 

[Redstiza]

I had one of those but it stopped working a good while ago. Just have to get another one then and see if it solves anything then.

 

[Rich-M]

Yeah I was going to suggest that a while ago because I never had much luck booting to usb on anything.

 

[kendallt]

I know it's late, but easiest way I've found is to remove the drive and install it temporarily in another working system. Many laptops have a small cover that just covers the drive
I always set my systems up for hot swapping, makes it fast and easy with sata.