My laptop won't read ISO intallation

[gesns]

Hi everybody. I have been using PCLinuxOS for sometime now on my desktops. I never had an installation problem before this. I just got me a used laptop Dell Latitude D600. From what I can tell, the darn thing just doesn't read ISO. I tried install with a disk and an USB flash stick. No luck. I then tried to see if I unpacked the ISO with one of those "decryption?" programs to see if that would help, with no luck. OK, then I went to Dell site an upgraded the BIOS, that didn't work. So I came here for help. I read some of the posts, but I'm not sure if my problem is the same. So, my question, is my laptop just too old, is it because it's a Dell, or what? Is there something I can do that will get my installation to work. I'm new to the forum, so if you need more info, please reply. Thanks, Steve Gesn

[newmikey]

I never had an installation problem before this. I just got me a used laptop Dell Latitude D600. From what I can tell, the darn thing just doesn't read ISO. I tried install with a disk and an USB flash stick. No luck. I then tried to see if I unpacked the ISO with one of those "decryption?" programs to see if that would help, with no luck. OK, then I went to Dell site an upgraded the BIOS, that didn't work. So I came here for help. I read some of the posts, but I'm not sure if my problem is the same. So, my question, is my laptop just too old, is it because it's a Dell, or what? Is there something I can do that will get my installation to work. I'm new to the forum, so if you need more info, please reply. Thanks, Steve Gesn

I've used PCLOS on a D600 for years so your laptop certainly IS capable of it, with- or without- a BIOS update. I think your issue is your concept of the computer needing to "read ISO" - it doesn't. An ISO file is an image of the contents of a CD/DVD, all sectors included. It needs to be burned to a CD with a special mode of your CD writing software. Try using ImgBurn if you have trouble finding that option in your burning software on Windows.(http://www.imgburn.com/)

If you're on PCLinuxOS, all CD burning packages have ISO writing options. Once written, you then have to set the BIOS to use the CD as first boot option and your Dell will start up from the CD.

[gesns]

newmikey--Thanks a million. I will try imgburn ang get back to you later in a few hours.

[gesns]

Hi newmikey-- I did what you suggested and it worked! I'm not sure what that burner programdid differently than what I was doing but it sure did work. I'm om Live right now, and then I'm going to install. Well again thank you, thank you, Inever though I would have it working in just a few hours!! WOW! That's support!!