Won't boot can't find active drive

Question

I have a Dell Inspiron 17 3793 laptop. I had Linux Mint 20.04 installed and wanted to go to Ubuntu 20. I bought a program called Aptik and proceded to migrate. I booted into Ubuntu after the install and updated and upgraded. When I rebooted after the upgrade, the boot just gave a loud beep and started a memory check. I couldn’t get beyond this stage. So, I then booted up the Ubuntu Live flash drive and installed Ubuntu from scratch. Same thing. Memory check and diagnostics show all is okay but it gave me this message:

“No bootable devices were found! Possible causes could be a corrupt OS image or a boot device is not enabled.”

I can see the SSD with gparted and it looks okay. I can only figure out the UEFI must be corrupt. I have tried to find a bootable firmware on the Dell website but all I could find was a Windows version. Can you tell me where to find a DOS version I can boot with a flash drive as that is the only thing my laptop can see at this point? I will add that I have had problems with this computer booting flash drives from day 1. Now it will boot a flash drive, but not my SSD, no matter what OS I put on.

I have searched the Dell site and can't find a stand alone bootable UEFI installer. The old days of BIOS was MUCH simpler. Can anyone tell me where to find this?

Thanks

ejn63 · Answer

If you're getting to the handoff of the firmware to the operating system, there is no issue with the firmware.

There can be challenges installing Linux to systems that only support UEFI mode -- see here:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/UEFI

Before proceeding with a reload, clear the CMOS (unplug the system, disconnect the battery from the system board and hold the power button for 30 sec). Bear in mind that part of the UEFI boot is stored on the drive itself - and has to be rewritten as part of the OS install.

U2CAMEB4ME · Answer

Welcome to the Dell Community   @Bob540  First method: Create a new folder on your desktop named 'BIOS Update' Then download your BIOS update. Dell Inspiron 3493/3593/3793/5493/5593 and Vostro 3491/3591 System BIOS: https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/drivers/driversdetails?driverid=fh444&oscode=wt64a&productcode=inspiron-17-3793-laptop Copy the update to that folder you just created. Close all Windows and Apps you may have open. Go to the folder and right click on the update file and 'Run as Administrator' Second method: Create a bootable USB drive using 'Rufus' https://rufus.ie/ Copy the BIOS update to the bootable USB drive you just created.. Insert USB drive, power-on and start tapping the ' F12 ' key. Boot from USB and run the BIOS update. After reboot test and post any results. Best regards, U2

Bob540 · Answer

How do I create a boot-able drive in Rufus without an iso image?

Bob540 · Answer

I am running Ubuntu on my desktop.

Bob540 · Answer

Not too sure what you mean. I have been running Linux Mint (a somewhat close version of Ubuntu) for 6 months or more. I am NOT getting a hand-off to the OS. It will hand-off to a USB flash drive but not to anything on the SSD. I think the SSD is OK as I can see my OS in gparted.

Bob540 · Answer

Bronze - I just ran the 10 minute test again. It asks if I want to do the remaining memory tests and it will take 10 hours. I did  run the memtest85 for 4 hours and the memory had no errors. Are there other tests the remaining tests will run?

ejn63 · Answer

Did you run the extended drive diagnostic, or just the 10 minute system test?

Bob540 · Answer

Just the 10 minute system test. Didn't see an extended test. I will look again. Thanks.

U2CAMEB4ME · Answer

Sorry @Bob540 I misunderstood you. I thought you wanted to flash your BIOS. Regards, U2

Bob540 · Answer

Yes, I have done the diagnostics from F12. They reported all OK. But when I boot I get the beep and a memory check. After the memory  check, I get the 'can't find a boot-able drive' message. I can only boot into a flash drive using F12.

ejn63 · Answer

The fact that the system POSTs to the point where the OS is invoked means the firmware is fine.

If you haven't run a full diagnostic on the SSD, F12 at powerup will get you to the Dell diagnostics to test the drive. Just because the drive is readable on another system does not mean the boot area of the SSD is working correctly. If you have another SSD, you can also try that.

Bob540 · Answer

If I understand you correctly, you mean if it boots to the point where it will hand off to a USB the UEFI (BIOS) is okay? Maybe I should be looking at the M2 NVMe SSD. Thanks.

ejn63 · Answer

Yes.  If the firmware is corrupt, you won't get past POST.  Is this system running in AHCI mode or Intel RST (check in Setup)? I suspect you want AHCI - not IRST.

U2CAMEB4ME · Answer

@Bob540  Under 'System Configuration' SATA Operation = AHCI Under 'Secure Boot' Secure Boot = Disable Regards, U2

Bob540 · Answer

It is in AHCI and secure boot is disabled.

Inspiron

Won't boot can't find active drive

Was this post helpful?