Just to clarify, yes it is my fault. But let me get onto the problem. So I was trying to install Linux Mint as I wanted to switch from Windows 10 but I clicked to erase Win10 and then Linux install failed. So I downloaded another distro and now it just boots its installation and says it cant find the boot media even though it boots it from an USB. And Linux one won't even boot anymore so I don't know what to do. Do I format my USB on some other PC and download another ISO or what?
Download Windows 10 iso from microsoft. Burn the iso to a flash usb drive (use rufus....) Plug the USB drive to the laptop ---------- REStart the computer...and quickly press the function key that allows you to go to BIOS settings (F1-12,Delete key....) Now onto your laptop's bios settings look for BOOT options or something like that.... Make the USB the first boot device.... or change boot order... And windows installation should start ------------------- WHAT's your LAPTOP MODEL and BRAND>?
F12 should be the Boot menu key. Otherwise...... If you have the NOVO button (while laptop OFF)...on the left panel of your laptop : Then choose BOOT Menu:
It shouldn't be necessary to install Windows 10 first, in order to install Linux on the laptop. Or am I missing something here?
Usually, during the installation, Linux distros will create a small /EFI partition where the bootloader reside. In Linux case its the GRUB. Now, if you decided to clean install W10, it's better to have your HDD properly formatted. As @Caesar advised, create the W10 installation USB. But I can add the following. Boot one more time in the live Linux environment and start Gparted (90% chance it's included) and “Create Partition Table” from the drop-down menu under “Device”. Choose GPT, hit Apply. Now, your HDD is fully prepared for a clean installation, let the W10 installer create all the partitions and set up the Windows Boot Manager. Yes, the Windows installer can erase all the partitions and prep the HDD, but when the HDD was somehow messed by Linux installation, it's better to have it clean and simple using the very tool that was used before. Was looking at your laptop model, it doesn't have a secondary M.2/NVMe or SATA HDD. Maybe the ODD can be used to add another drive? It's way better to dual boot, having each OS installed on it's own HDD, so each bootloader points to a boot partition on its independent HDD. When computer boots up, you choose which HDD, not which bootloader/partition. Also, you can have either Mint or W10 virtualized by using Vbox or VMware Player.
I assume OP wants to revert to W10, but you're right, it isn't clearly stated. @mwutex what are your end goals? have W10 reinstalled, Linux installed, both?
