Vostro 3500 Trouble Booting.

**Ecoste** · July 9th, 2013

Well, I decided to install Ubuntu(ubuntu-12.04.2-desktop-i386.iso) on my Vostro(Windows7), I did it before on other laptops and it went fine, but not now. Well, what happens is when I choose to boot from the usb stick(Transcend 16GB) I just get a boot error with no explanation or anything of that sort. Just says "Boot Error" and I press enter to boot Windows.

I tried - LinuxLive USB creator.
- Universal USB installer.

I've also tried partitioning the USB from fat32 to xte4 or something like that. Didn't do anything again.

Somebody also suggested that it's something with the BIOS settings and you need to switch 'USB Mass Storage Emulation Type' but that option simply isn't in the BIOS. I don't know what to do anymore, Google doesn't give anything more useful. Halp ):

**Ecoste** · July 9th, 2013

I just installed Ubuntu on my OTHER laptop with the same USB key, so it's an issue with the Vostro.

**mastablasta** · July 9th, 2013

is the image good? what are the system specs?

**su:bhatta** · July 9th, 2013

why dont you write up that .iso to a dvd & try...check the BIOS set up once..
also is there an unallocated partition in that vostro 3500? how many partitions are there in the vostro 3500?

As mentioned by mastablasta, please provide specifications of vostro 3500, since it is discontinued, dell is not providing detailed specifications on their website...
the image should be good... he installed from the same image to another laptop...

**provo44** · July 9th, 2013

I have a similar problem with a Vostro 460. With the Lexar USB indicated as #1 in the BIOS, it won't boot. No matter how I change the drive order in the BIOS, windows always boots from the internal HD. When I go back to the BIOS the internal HD is back to #1.
There is an option to disable the internal HD. If I did that would I be able to get the HD back?

**provo44** · July 9th, 2013

I have a similar problem with a Vostro 460. With the Lexar USB indicated as #1 in the BIOS, it won't boot. No matter how I change the drive order in the BIOS, windows always boots from the internal HD. When I go back to the BIOS the internal HD is back to #1.
There is an option to disable the internal HD. If I did that would I be able to get the HD back?

**su:bhatta** · July 11th, 2013

Guyz, check your BIOS for UEFI and stuff like 'secure boot', about that I cannot help...

Wait for a reply from someone who has clear understanding & can provide workarounds...

Also, please provide system specifications, they will always be useful & check the forums, there is a lot of similar posts, read them up... maybe an answer is already available...