How to install windows on a Linux Aspire E5-551G (no optical drive)

C_Bosneag · November 2016

Hello. I just bought a brand new Aspire E5-551G which came with a Linpus Linux preinstalled. I did not want to pay extra for a pre-installed Windows, since I plan to just port over my Windows 8.1 licence (besides, they only had 10 and I can not stand 10).

I've already made a bootable USB stick with the 8.1 kit, I've enabled boot menu, but the only option in the boot menu is the HDD. The computer simply does not see the USB stick (which works fine on my other computer).

Boot mode is set to UEFI, disabling secure boot did nothing, the boot order is as follows:

1. USB HDD

2. USB FDD

3. USB CDROM

4. ATAPI CDROM

5. HDD0

6. Network Boot IPv4

7. Network Boot IPv6.

How do I get my laptop to recognize the USB stick?

C_Bosneag · November 2016

I figured it out. For other people experiencing issues, here's the problem:

The Acer E-series uses something called UEFI, instead of the old BIOS system. The issue is that Rufus' default option for partitioning, is set to "MBR for BIOS or UEFI" and if you format the USB stick like that, the laptop won't see it. What you need to do is to change that option to "UEFI", then set NTFS as the file system. Leave everything else as it is.

This is what is probably causing problems for other people who can't boot from USB. It is not Acer's fault, rather it is an issue of newer technology requiring you to format the USB drive differently.

Instructions for enabling boot from USB:

Power on the laptop and press the F2 key when the Acer logo is displayed on screen. Navigate the menus until you find an option called "boot menu" and enable it. Also, you need to disable secure boot (do this by first setting up a master password in the security tab). Save and exit, the computer will reboot. After this, you need to press F12 when the Acer logo appears and a menu should appear, which allows you to select which device to boot from. If the USB drive has been set up correctly, it will appear in the list. The boot order is irrelevant.

JackE · November 2016

So what happens when you change the boot order?

Jack E/NJ

C_Bosneag · November 2016

I figured it out. For other people experiencing issues, here's the problem:

The Acer E-series uses something called UEFI, instead of the old BIOS system. The issue is that Rufus' default option for partitioning, is set to "MBR for BIOS or UEFI" and if you format the USB stick like that, the laptop won't see it. What you need to do is to change that option to "UEFI", then set NTFS as the file system. Leave everything else as it is.

This is what is probably causing problems for other people who can't boot from USB. It is not Acer's fault, rather it is an issue of newer technology requiring you to format the USB drive differently.

Instructions for enabling boot from USB:

Power on the laptop and press the F2 key when the Acer logo is displayed on screen. Navigate the menus until you find an option called "boot menu" and enable it. Also, you need to disable secure boot (do this by first setting up a master password in the security tab). Save and exit, the computer will reboot. After this, you need to press F12 when the Acer logo appears and a menu should appear, which allows you to select which device to boot from. If the USB drive has been set up correctly, it will appear in the list. The boot order is irrelevant.

JackE · November 2016

Congrats for resolving it! And thanks for posting.

Jack E/NJ

ToFu · December 2016

I have a similar issue on a Acer Aspire S5-371, where I want to install Windows from an original DVD via an external USB Drive, but the system does not see the DVD. I've also disabled secure boot, which gave me a second boot option beyond Linux, strangely named yes. But selecting it also boots into Linux on the SSD.

Now I cannot apply your second step of formatting to a DVD. Is there any other step to follow?

JackE · December 2016

Have you tried changing the boot order? You can also try using Rufus to make an iso file on a USB stick or another DVD disk from your DVD installation disk. Then follow these directions for the MS USB/DVD download tool This should allow installing Windows without first running an existing operating system.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/windows-usb-dvd-download-tool

Jack E/NJ