Windows has disappeared from my PC

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emgem

emgem

PCHF Member
Jul 3, 2022
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Hi.

I tried googling around but couldn’t find anyone in anything near my specific situation. Basically I moved 2 years ago and got a new desktop PC, so my old one has been sat at my dad’s gathering dust. I tried booting it up again today only to be greeted by the Gnu grub textbox I’ve now learned is associated with Linux (I’m not that computer savvy, sorry in advance).

The strange thing about it is I’ve never had any linux operating system on my PC, the methods I’ve found online to launch windows fail and i see no reference to Microsoft or Windows in Gnu grub or the BIOS menu, only Ubuntu is mentioned. Ive looked at the boot order, been prompted to select boot device on startup and tried to get into recovery settings and safe mode but no luck. It seems to me like Windows simply no longer exists on the PC. Like I say it’s been abandoned since September 2020 and I’m almost 100% positive noone has touched it since (my dad lives on his own and isn’t the kind of person who’d touch my PC, much less set it up with a monitor, mouse and keyboard only to change the OS and put it back where I left it).

The only connection to Linux is (and I can’t believe I’m even mentioning it it seems that far fetched) is my dad’s old desktop ran ubuntu and I’ve borrowed his monitor, keyboard and wifi adapter for my temporary setup while I’m back home.

Is there anything I could put into Gnu grub or click in bios to find answers? or better yet get back onto windows?

The computer was bought in 2014 and hasn’t been upgraded, I don’t know most of them but the specs I can find are:
Intel core i5-4690K CPU
MSI GTX 960 GPU
16gb HyperX something RAM
A Cooler master power supply with 550W
MSI B85M-E45 motherboard i think?

Again, sorry about lack of tech knowledge, will try to get more information on request.
 
Step1) Look inside the dvd player and check for a cd/dvd
Step2) Check all usb ports for a usb stick.
Step 3) if no linux cd or usb stick install windows from scratch

Reinstall Win 10 Fresh Install (this will delete all data from the drive)

Download the win 10 tool run it to recreate the flash drive – Must be minimum 8GB
Have only one hard drive connected

https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/software-download/windows10


Watch this video
How To Install Windows 10 From USB - YouTube
In the video at 2:54 you will notice it restarts the computer.
When you are doing this and you get to that point Remove the usb stick whilst it is restarting.
Also if you want to setup a local account instead of logging in with a Microsoft account
Turn off your wireless network and or remove the network cable.
This point is 3.32 in the video - Choose I don't have internet.
If you want to log in with a Microsoft account then leave the network as is.



Before doing any install, it is a good idea to go to the support page for your system. Download the drivers you are going to need ie chipset, sound, video, wireless, etc. While win10 has a lot of native drivers, microsoft drivers are designed for ease of use and are NOT designed for any type of performance. Store these drivers on another usb or you can even just make a folder on your install usb when you are finished making the install usb. Copy the drivers into that folder.

When you are finished with the install, then install your drivers. Install the chipset first then the rest of them. Reboot each time when prompted.
 
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