Cannot boot Ubuntu on Inspiron 11 3162/3164

Question

So the problem began with a friend of mine forgetting her Ubuntu password on this small Inspiron 11. I decided to reinstall Ubuntu, which led to the OS not booting anymore.  After failed attempts to reinstall, I discovered the volume I was trying to install Ubuntu on was an LVM volume (she chose encryption during the first Ubuntu install).  So then I used a Ubuntu Live DVD to unlock the LVM volume using a command line. After that I formatted the drive for Windows, setting it to NTFS.  After that I did a BIOS flash using MSDOS (thanks to RUFUS).  After that I downloaded the Dell OS Recovery Tool and made a recovery tool with the software (on another laptop), then took the USB thumb drive and booted from it on the Dell Inspiron 11, then restored the laptop to factory settings with Windows 10.  Problem solved, and I will never use Ubuntu on such a newer laptop again.  I just edited this post to reflect on all the work I did to get this laptop up and running again, hope this helps someone else.

Seekdestroy16 · Accepted Answer

To close this thread off, I will just say that if it wasn't for a BIOS update and the use of the Dell OS Recovery Tool, would not have restored this Inspiron 11 3162/3164 back to factory settings.

It was actually a lot more complicated than that and was a 48 hour grueling process, but thats what restored everything back to normal.

Cheers, and hope this helps someone else.

Seekdestroy16 · Answer

Well it looks like I can't even get the Laptop to recognize a USB SSD drive while booted into Linux. I am going to sell this as is.

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