i have installed a new hard drive for a compaq laptop. when i turned it on there was a message - no os found. insert os setup disk. then press any key.
i put in ubuntu on cd and it didn't recognise it. i tried it again on a memory stick and still got the same message. how can i load the os and get this thing working? any help would be appreciated. thanks.

Did you change the boot order in the bios to cdrom first HDLC?

thanks for your reply. i have no idea how to do that. it is an old laptop/notebook whatever, I am just trying to get it working.

On the POST screen when it first boots up you will see something like, "Press Del to enter Setup", it may also be F2 etc

This will take you into the bios, once in there look for Boot, it may come under Advanced also.

Here change the boot order so the cdrom is first or at the top of the list.

Save the changes by pressing F10 and exit.

http://reasonableprices.co.uk/wp-con...-save-exit.jpg

thanks. as i said i just put in a new hard drive. when i turn the thing on i get a message saying no os found, insert setup disk. this is the first thing that comes up. what should i do to proceed to what you suggest.

Did you miss Post 4?

when i turn it on i don't get a post screen. don't worry about it, ok.