Browning Posted June 22, 2014 Report Share Posted June 22, 2014 Tonight I picked up an HP mini 110 from an older couple for $15. It has the Boot MGR missing error and when I run the HDD test in BIOS is passes every time. Any chance of a HDD passing the test but still being bad? My thoughts now are the OS install is fucked and needs a fresh install. My only problem with that is I have no experience with making a bootable usb nor have to install an OS this way. From googling it appears this little bastard came with XP Home, even though the couple said it had Vista installed. If true, this would explain why I can;t get into any recovery mode at all, right? I would like to download an XP copy and see if I can get this HDD to let me install it. Can any of you fine folks walk me through this like I am 5? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
copperhead Posted June 22, 2014 Report Share Posted June 22, 2014 http://www.microsoftstore.com/store?Action=html&Locale=en_US&SiteID=msusa&pbPage=Help_Win7_usbdvd_dwnTool You can use an .ISO file of any Windows OS you prefer with that utility. The instructions don't change any. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaSSon Posted June 22, 2014 Report Share Posted June 22, 2014 This is a much better guide to installing an OS via USB flash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Cranium Posted June 22, 2014 Report Share Posted June 22, 2014 I used a program last year that worked well called Rufus. It allowed me to "burn" an ISO file to a flash drive and then install the OS from the flash drive. I would not recommend going back to XP as Microsoft has cut off all support (I don't think you can even download the old updates any more). If Vista ran on it, then Windows 7 might be an option, but I would check to make sure all the hardware is supported in Windows 7. If you are not tied to Microsoft for anything have you thought about using Linux on it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
copperhead Posted June 22, 2014 Report Share Posted June 22, 2014 This is a much better guide to installing an OS via USB flash. The utility I linked to starts up, asks you to select an .ISO then does it's thing. It's as easy as it gets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browning Posted June 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2014 http://www.microsoftstore.com/store?Action=html&Locale=en_US&SiteID=msusa&pbPage=Help_Win7_usbdvd_dwnTool You can use an .ISO file of any Windows OS you prefer with that utility. The instructions don't change any. This is a much better guide to installing an OS via USB flash. I used a program last year that worked well called Rufus. It allowed me to "burn" an ISO file to a flash drive and then install the OS from the flash drive. I would not recommend going back to XP as Microsoft has cut off all support (I don't think you can even download the old updates any more). If Vista ran on it, then Windows 7 might be an option, but I would check to make sure all the hardware is supported in Windows 7. If you are not tied to Microsoft for anything have you thought about using Linux on it? Thank you guys. I am not sure I can get windows 7 on it with only 1GB of RAM? I don't plan on using this. This was bought with the intention of letting the kids use it for youtube or whatever else. The screen is far too small for me to every enjoy using something like this. I am going to go over those links now and see if I can get it to work. I am hoping this HDD is still good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaSSon Posted June 22, 2014 Report Share Posted June 22, 2014 Thank you guys. I am not sure I can get windows 7 on it with only 1GB of RAM? I don't plan on using this. This was bought with the intention of letting the kids use it for youtube or whatever else. The screen is far too small for me to every enjoy using something like this. I am going to go over those links now and see if I can get it to work. I am hoping this HDD is still good. Then replace the ram with a 2-4GB SODIMM and use windows 8.1 (with Classic Shell). Its a little more resource friendly. A key can be purchased from the Reddit software swap for $10. http://www.reddit.com/r/softwareswap/comments/2849h1/h_windows_7_8_81_pro_server_2003_2008_2012_r2/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browning Posted June 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2014 specs said 1GBmax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaSSon Posted June 22, 2014 Report Share Posted June 22, 2014 specs said 1GBmax I don't have one, but you do. Look at the back. See if you can access the RAM. If it's a regular SODIMM slot you can upgrade it. a quick Google showed plenty of 2gb ddr2 modules that claimed compatibility with the Mini 110. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browning Posted June 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2014 I think you found a different model than the one I have here. I just started googling about possibly using it as a chromebook, even that is confusing. If this thing has a cd drive it'd be easy lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browning Posted June 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2014 I am running dban on it now hopefully it succeeds without error. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browning Posted June 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 24, 2014 Thing works great. Loaded linux mint on it and it's doing quite well for $15. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rally Pat Posted June 24, 2014 Report Share Posted June 24, 2014 Then replace the ram with a 2-4GB SODIMM and use windows 8.1 (with Classic Shell). Its a little more resource friendly. A key can be purchased from the Reddit software swap for $10. http://www.reddit.com/r/softwareswap/comments/2849h1/h_windows_7_8_81_pro_server_2003_2008_2012_r2/ Holy shit, if that is legit than I am putting 8.1 on everything I own. We have a couple of Core 2 Duo small form factor PC's we use as HTPC's that could benefit from a slight performance boost and I have been wanting to take advantage of HSA on my main computer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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