[RESOLVED] missing driver

Can you test the bootable flash drive on another computer? If the flash drive boots, we would know that Rufus created it properly.

You could also check if there is a BIOS update for your Vista system.

i only have the windows 8.1 pc that i'm writing on now. how would i "test" the bootable usb without damaging this pc?

i'm not sure what you mean by a "bios upgrade". something i could put on the usb? i did see a "Gateway BIOS Gateway FX7024 Free Driver Download" at http://download.driverguide.com/driv.../d1730539.html. is this something i could put on the usb?

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how would i "test" the bootable usb without damaging this pc?

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You would just boot from it. It wouldn't damage anything. You're not actually running the setup; you just want to see if it boots.

I can't see that site right now, due to content blocking. It depends on how old the BIOS update is. The older ones would have been on a floppy or bootable CD. You'd have to see if there is any documentation.

BIOS Gateway FX7024 - DPP3510J.15A.0316 (11 Jul 2008)

May not have boot from USB in the BIOS.

midknyte, the usb light flashes but then the pc just boots normally into 8.1

And you changed the boot order to USB first? or is there a one-time boot menu key like F12?

If you did either/both of those and it still didn't boot, then the iso probably wasn't installed onto the flash drive properly. Did you create an iso image of your Vista DVD before loading it to the flash drive? Or did you try the Win10 iso again?

Does your old Gateway specifically say USB in the boot options? It's not USB-HDD or USB-Floppy, right?

You could also try booting the Win10 discs in your other computer. If they boot properly, then it's something to do with your Gateway.

i could not figure out how to change the boot order. that is why i disabled all except USB. i don't remember but i'm pretty sure is was just plain USB.

i took a snapshot of the files on the USB. as i said, when i tested this usb on my windows 8.1 machine, it ignores them and just boots into 8.1 as always. i created it with rufus as you instructed me.

Attachment 13347

Did you try booting the Win10 disc on your other computer yet? And you're sure that USB and DVD are before the HDD in the boot order?

You want to verify that the discs/flash drives boot properly on your known good system first. If you can't boot them there, then it's probably a problem with the ISO, the DVD burning, or the flash drive.

i used rufus to create a bootable usb using a different usb. i tried rebooting the 8.1 machine with this usb. it was totally ignored and win8.1 loaded as usual. i looked at the folders & files on this usb and they are the same as the previous one (see my earlier post for a photo).

i googled the error message i am getting on the vista machine. someone tried removing the cmos battery hoping to reset the bios. it worked for them. i removed the batter for 48 hours. didn't work for me, tho.

anyway, i've wasted enough of your time, midnyte (and train). unless there is a better way to create a bootable usb, i'm gonna close this thread.

Make the dvd then.

Try this tool
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...d=ms_wol_win10

what I just used to update from 10240 Preview.

thanks, train. when i run the "windows 10 setup" on my 8.1 machine i get the error message "setup couldn't start properly. please rebood your pc and try running windows 10 setup again." i did. same error message.

tbh, i don't think this would work anyway. the machine i'm going to try to use it on is a vista machine (see original post).

the whole reason for trying to get the "test" version of 10 on the vista machine was a workaround because i cannot upgrade from vista to 10 directly. supposedly, installing the "test" version of 10 would make it possible to "upgrade" to the "real" 10 after it was released.

*cough cough* Let me get this correct: You're attempting to use a preview version of Win 10 so you can then get a free upgrade to the final release of 10 that you legally don't qualify for on that PC? If that is indeed what you're attempting to do it's illegal, unethical and outright theft if you're doing it on a Vista computer. On a Windows 7, 8 or 8.1 PC getting the free upgrade to 10 is fine & legal but not on Vista or previous versions of Windows.

Compatability test
http://www.zdnet.com/article/will-yo...r-to-find-out/

Of coarse I was a BETA testor for Win 7 and Win 10 and I used it to find out if these old XP antiques had possile hardware problems before I tried installing.
Had to remove a pci card is all.

to derp: i am registered with the windows insider program and refer you here: http://www.theverge.com/2015/6/20/88...ee-for-testers.

to all: since this is no longer a software but a hardware problem, i'm closing this thread. many thanks to all who offered their time and expertise.