Dell Inspiron 7000 won't reinstall windows due to missing driver!?

Trying to reinstall Windows, from Dell, using the USB they sent me, but it won’t install because the laptop says it is missing a (CD) driver. The same software successfully installs on a test VM, but not on the Dell Inspiron hardware. Perhaps there’s a BIOS setting affecting it, but I have run out of permutations to test. Spent DAYS working with Dell and no solution. Any ideas for a real solution? My only known work around is to start living dangerously as it has accidental damage coverage.