New E320 insists there is no OS, now BIOS problems [ Edited ]

[lambda]

I've saved up for a while to buy my new laptop. It's a Thinkpad E320 with i3-2330M and 4 Gigs of RAM. I bought it without an OS (though the shop claimed FreeDOS).

Optimistically, I put an Ubuntu on a stick and installed it (x86-64, 11.10). After a reboot, the laptop tried to boot from network, and then claimed "No OS installed." I re-installed Ubuntu, same.

I changed the boot order. I marked the partition as bootable. I re-installed, now a fourth time, but still the very same problem.

After now fiddling with the BIOS so often it doesn't even go past showing the BIOS screen any more, with or without USB. And I am desperate... I am frightened I've spent a lot (for me) of money for a decorative piece of plastic/metal.

EDIT: The problem with the BIOS now is this: It shows the screen for about 10 seconds, then there is a 'beep' and it reboots, showing the bios screen for 10 seconds, then reboot, etc

[ColonelONeill]

Does a Windows install disc work?

Can you reset the BIOS by pulling the CMOS battery and leaving it out overnight?

http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/downloads/detail.page?DocID=UM007888

[lambda]

I don't have a Windows install disc. I have no use for Windows anyway.

And I've returned it to the shop yesterday and am waiting for a replacement.

[lambda]

I have received a replacement device, and it has exactly the same problem.

I just want to use my new bought device, why am I not allowed to? Does "no OS" in the specs mean that no OS can be installed ever?