Here are four proven methods to eradicate the "No CD-ROM found" error and successfully install MikroTik RouterOS (full version).
. The installer boots from the USB but then fails to "see" the rest of the installation files because it expects them to be on a physical CD-ROM. MikroTik community forum Common Solutions Use DD Mode in Rufus: When creating your bootable USB with "DD Image"
This guide assumes you’re dealing with a MikroTik device (RouterBOARD) that shows a boot error like “Fatal error: no cd rom found” or similar during installation/boot and you need a full recovery or reinstall of RouterOS/firmware. Follow steps in order. I assume you want a complete recovery including reinstalling RouterOS and bootloader if needed.
To fix a problem, you must first understand its origin. The "Fatal Error: No CD-ROM found" is a legacy artifact. The standard MikroTik NetInstall CD image (the .iso file) was designed in an era when IDE optical drives were universal. fatal error no cd rom found mikrotik full
What (USB, physical CD, or virtual mount) are you currently using to load the ISO?
Download the from the MikroTik Downloads page.
The installer lacks native drivers for certain SATA controllers or USB chipsets. Here are four proven methods to eradicate the
Reboot your physical machine and spam the setup key ( F2 , Del , or F12 ) to enter the .
Netinstall is MikroTik's official, proprietary tool for installing RouterOS over a local network. It bypasses the need for physical CD-ROM drives entirely. Prerequisites A Windows computer. An Ethernet cable.
Now, let's move on to the solutions.
: The RouterOS installer searches for legacy IDE or ATAPI CD-ROM controller registers. Modern motherboards map SATA ports through Advanced Host Controller Interface (AHCI) or RAID arrays, causing the installer to lose track of the source path.
Which (v6 or v7) are you attempting to install?
The Linux kernel used by MikroTik RouterOS (even in newer versions) looks for specific legacy device nodes: MikroTik community forum Common Solutions Use DD Mode
It often blocks the router’s handshake.