'Critical error message, No bootable devices found!'

Question

I was thinking of selling my laptop and in all my wisdom decided to delete files, but by mistake I wiped my laptop and have done god knows what damage.  I would appreciate any help.

anne_droid · Answer

Hi

Please can you confirm the Make Model and OS, along with any configuration details like touch screen, backlit keyboard, SFF or tower etc etc.

So to have a working storage device, you would need it to pass post and then have the bios takeover to bootstrap to a HDD/SSD with a viable "boot" area and then an OS.

So Leaving the BIOS at it's current settings I would suggest a Live Version of something like Linux Mint. OR just a debian 12 which has an option to "scrub" the HDD/SSD clean during the install process, but Mint is easier.

https://www.linuxmint.com/download.php

Assuming it downloads cleanly, use something like RUFUS to write it to a 4/8 GB USB stick.

Boot from it and an option to install should be there.

If in doubt please ask.

NB: I do not know what resources you have available, so ...............

Johny1973 · Answer

Thanks, for your reply. I have a Dell Inspiron 17 3000 laptop Windows 11, Intel Corei5.

anne_droid · Answer

Hi You could try a Windows 11 install USB... https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows11 A fresh install should overwrite any of your data. If in doubt please ask.

Johny1973 · Answer

Thank you for your reply.

But how do I do that? And I'm guessing the USB stick is going to have to be pretty big? Do I download Windows 11 from another laptop onto the USB and then download it onto my Dell?

anne_droid · Answer

Hi

I think we may be at cross purposes slightly....

You use the W11 media creation tool, with a blank 8/16 GB USB.

If you have DATA to recover from the existing device, then an "over the top" install, properly called an "in place" install.

https://www.elevenforum.com/t/repair-install-windows-11-with-an-in-place-upgrade.418/

If you are selling and have no DATA to recover, then just a simple install of almost any Operating System will overwrite your existing broken install.

Johny1973 · Answer

Hello thank you for your reply.

My laptop only allows me to access the BIOS setup at f2 and f12 one time boot settings, bios setup, diagnostics, support Assist OS recovery,Device configuration, bios update.

I don't know at what point I'd insert a USB.

anne_droid · Answer

Hi I would imagine that plugging in the USB, apply PWR, and either F2 and re-arrange the BOOT order/sequence and/or F12 and select the USB if it shows as available.

Johny1973 · Answer

Hi Anne,

I've finally worked out what I needed to do.

I downloaded Windows 11 onto a memory stick(from Windows site)and then installed this onto my Dell, something even I could do😂

Thanks for your help and patience.

John

anne_droid · Answer

Prego.

Inspiron

"Critical error message, No bootable devices found!"

Was this post helpful?