Always include the PC model in your posts. Do you know this model is capable of running Win 10?
That error just meant there was no card in the card reader, so it couldn't be tested. Nothing to worry about unless you suspect a card reader failure and need to insert a card to test the reader. If you wanted to continue the diagnostics without testing the reader, you could have clicked Yes.
As Speedstep said, you'll have to do a clean install of whatever version of Windows was running before you tried to update to Win 10.
Thank you. I did speak with a Dell rep and was told I could reinstall the system using the original install disk. He told me to use the F12 reboot and install it from there. That didn't work. Brought me back to the black screen. This is really frustrating. What should I do now?
It's a Dell Inspiron Model 545 - The rep said this model is not compatible with Win 10 and this is the reason for the crash.
You still haven't told us what version of Windows you're trying to install.
How many optical drives do you have, and have you tried booting with the Dell Windows Reinstallation disk in both of them?
Put the disk in the optical drive and close the drawer. Reboot and press F2 to open BIOS setup. Change the First Boot Device option to that optical drive. Save the change and exit setup. See if the OS installation will run now.
Did you by chance make an image of your HDD before attempting to upgrade to Win 10? Re-imaging the HDD would certainly be the best/fastest way to recover.
It appears your system started with Vista and was upgraded to Win 7. So I'm afraid your only option may be to start by doing a clean Vista install and then upgrading to Win 7 again. The Microsoft Product Key on the sticker on your system probably won't allow you to install/activate Win 7 directly, and your disk is only an upgrade disk and will only upgrade Vista to Win 7.
Another option might be to purchase a full Win 7 installation disk with valid product key and install Win 7 directly. If you buy a Win 7 disk, make the sure the product key is valid or you won't be able to activate the installation.
At the least, I sure hope you backed up all your personal files on external media before attempting the Win 10 upgrade. If you do a clean install, everything will be lost. If you haven't backed up, you may want to either install this HDD in another PC as a secondary drive and attempt to recover your files. Or, buy an HDD housing where you can install your drive and connect it via USB to another PC to rescue your files.
If your system supports a 64-bit OS, go with that because it will be faster. You'll have to decide how much you want to spend on Home Premium vs Pro, but don't waste money on Basic or Ultimate.
Make sure you get a disk that includes SP1 and has a valid product key, and it's the full OS, not just an another "upgrade" disk, which you already have.
Check other reliable sites to see who's cheapest. And at this stage, maybe Win 8.1 would be a better value, assuming your system can run 8.1..?? And you can install the free Classic Shell which makes 8.1 look and behave like Win 7.
There is no reason the 545 will not run Win 10. I have upgraded three Dells 4-5 years older than your 545 (2004-2006) with no problems except the videos are not supported with Win 10 because of the ages, and the video suppliers have decided to NOT provide updated drivers. They, however installed and run OK, even with a generic MS video driver. Dell declares any computer that they haven't actually tested with Win 10 as "NOT COMPATIBLE".
mec220
11 Posts
0
August 13th, 2015 10:00
The SD slot was empty? Was this something I should have done?
So I select NO in the error box when asks if I want to continue testing? Do I use the installation disk to reinstall?
:emotion-18:
speedstep
9 Legend
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47K Posts
0
August 13th, 2015 10:00
Error Code 4400:011A means the read write test to the SD slot failed due to it being empty.
This has ZERO to do with OS install.
You are totally hozed and will have to reinstall from scratch.
RoHe
10 Elder
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45.2K Posts
0
August 13th, 2015 14:00
Always include the PC model in your posts. Do you know this model is capable of running Win 10?
That error just meant there was no card in the card reader, so it couldn't be tested. Nothing to worry about unless you suspect a card reader failure and need to insert a card to test the reader. If you wanted to continue the diagnostics without testing the reader, you could have clicked Yes.
As Speedstep said, you'll have to do a clean install of whatever version of Windows was running before you tried to update to Win 10.
mec220
11 Posts
0
August 13th, 2015 14:00
Thank you. I did speak with a Dell rep and was told I could reinstall the system using the original install disk. He told me to use the F12 reboot and install it from there. That didn't work. Brought me back to the black screen. This is really frustrating. What should I do now?
It's a Dell Inspiron Model 545 - The rep said this model is not compatible with Win 10 and this is the reason for the crash.
RoHe
10 Elder
•
45.2K Posts
0
August 13th, 2015 17:00
You still haven't told us what version of Windows you're trying to install.
How many optical drives do you have, and have you tried booting with the Dell Windows Reinstallation disk in both of them?
Put the disk in the optical drive and close the drawer. Reboot and press F2 to open BIOS setup. Change the First Boot Device option to that optical drive. Save the change and exit setup. See if the OS installation will run now.
mec220
11 Posts
0
August 13th, 2015 19:00
Windows 7
I put the disk in the optical drive (I have only 1).
I rebooted and pressed F2 to open the BIOS setup. I changed the First Boot Device option to the CD/DVD option, hit Save, exited.
Got the screen that said press any key to continue.
Got a black screen that said:
Your CD/DVD drive is available during this boot cycle as C:
It contains several Hard Drive setup tools. Please use those tools only under the directions of Dell Support Staff.
F:\>
RoHe
10 Elder
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45.2K Posts
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August 13th, 2015 22:00
Is that the Dell Windows 7 Reinstallation DVD?
Is it actually booting from that disk, and what tools are on it?
speedstep
9 Legend
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47K Posts
1
August 14th, 2015 04:00
The Drivers and Utilities Disk Cannot be used to Reinstall the OS.
Your warranty is well over so you will have to reinstate it to get WIN7 DVD or Get one on EBAY.
The disk must also match HOME or PRO or Ultimate Depending on what the COA says.
mec220
11 Posts
0
August 14th, 2015 10:00
I also have a DELL Inspiron laptop running Windows 7.
mec220
11 Posts
0
August 14th, 2015 10:00
These are the disks I have.
RoHe
10 Elder
•
45.2K Posts
0
August 14th, 2015 11:00
Did you by chance make an image of your HDD before attempting to upgrade to Win 10? Re-imaging the HDD would certainly be the best/fastest way to recover.
It appears your system started with Vista and was upgraded to Win 7. So I'm afraid your only option may be to start by doing a clean Vista install and then upgrading to Win 7 again. The Microsoft Product Key on the sticker on your system probably won't allow you to install/activate Win 7 directly, and your disk is only an upgrade disk and will only upgrade Vista to Win 7.
Another option might be to purchase a full Win 7 installation disk with valid product key and install Win 7 directly. If you buy a Win 7 disk, make the sure the product key is valid or you won't be able to activate the installation.
At the least, I sure hope you backed up all your personal files on external media before attempting the Win 10 upgrade. If you do a clean install, everything will be lost. If you haven't backed up, you may want to either install this HDD in another PC as a secondary drive and attempt to recover your files. Or, buy an HDD housing where you can install your drive and connect it via USB to another PC to rescue your files.
speedstep
9 Legend
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47K Posts
1
August 14th, 2015 12:00
The amazon "supposed repair" Discs are worthless and your picture of the Discs Shows COA Sticker not attached to the unit.
Does not sound like your system shipped with WINDOWS 7 installed.
mec220
11 Posts
0
August 14th, 2015 12:00
Windows 7 32bit/64bit Install for Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, or Ultimate (Repair-Restore-Reinstall) [DVD-ROM] Windows 7
Is this what I need? Amazon has these.
RoHe
10 Elder
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45.2K Posts
0
August 14th, 2015 13:00
If your system supports a 64-bit OS, go with that because it will be faster. You'll have to decide how much you want to spend on Home Premium vs Pro, but don't waste money on Basic or Ultimate.
Make sure you get a disk that includes SP1 and has a valid product key, and it's the full OS, not just an another "upgrade" disk, which you already have.
Check other reliable sites to see who's cheapest. And at this stage, maybe Win 8.1 would be a better value, assuming your system can run 8.1..?? And you can install the free Classic Shell which makes 8.1 look and behave like Win 7.
kirkd
4 Operator
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5.2K Posts
0
August 14th, 2015 15:00
There is no reason the 545 will not run Win 10. I have upgraded three Dells 4-5 years older than your 545 (2004-2006) with no problems except the videos are not supported with Win 10 because of the ages, and the video suppliers have decided to NOT provide updated drivers. They, however installed and run OK, even with a generic MS video driver. Dell declares any computer that they haven't actually tested with Win 10 as "NOT COMPATIBLE".