System will not boot. Hard drive failure? Inspiron One

Question

When booting msg comes up: Reboot and select proper boot device: Not sure if drive has failed. Boot order is correct.  Ran a diagnostic - came up with following error msg. 2000-0151,   hard drive 0 - incorrect status :32 - no additional sense info. Help...I do not have an installation disk and all recovery disks are packed in a POD as I am in middle of moving!! Any thoughts would be appreciated.

RoHe · Accepted Answer

Always include exact PC model and version of Windows in your posts.

If you're still under warranty, contact Dell Tech Support for a replacement hard drive.

If you have Win 8.1 or 10, you can download the files -for free- from Microsoft needed to create a Windows installation USB stick for whichever version you have now. This can be done on any PC and the USB used to install the OS on the new HDD.

You will also have to download the hardware drivers from Dell's Support site onto a USB using another PC and install them here after you load Windows.

If your personal files aren't backed up on external media, you may be able to put the old drive into an external enclosure that connects to another PC via USB to rescue your files. Or install the old drive in another PC as a secondary drive to recover the files...

RoHe · Accepted Answer

The specs say the system uses a 3.5-inch SATA hard drive You don't have to purchase it from Dell so shop around for a deal on a good drive. Don't know if that motherboard is SATA3 or SATA2, but a SATA3 HDD should be backward compatible with a SATA2 motherboard. So, either way, go for a SATA3 drive.

Be sure to place the PC face down on a soft cloth while working inside so you don't scratch the screen.

Keep in mind that working inside an All-In-One is tight and can be tricky so if this is beyond your "moderate techie" level, find a geeky friend or take it to a reputable PC shop.

If it ain't broke, don't break it..!

RoHe · Accepted Answer

Mounting hardware might also include a SATA data cable and/or a drive tray too. But you shouldn't need any of those because you can re-use what's already there.

Note: You also have to disconnect the power cable from the PSU before removing the drive.

The one at your link has both "desktop" and "laptop" options. When I change that option, the image is different. I don't know what the differences are or if your All-in-One needs a desktop or laptop version, assuming there's any meaningful difference between them.

And don't pick a drive just because I referred to it. Pick one that's the right size (3.5"), has the right amount of storage capacity for your needs, has a reasonable warranty, etc.

Make sure you have the Dell Win 7 installation disk handy. You can download the drivers you need from Dell's Support page for this model (be sure to select Win 7 before downloading anything). You can save them on a USB stick on any PC for installation here after loading Win 7. You'll also need the installation disks for any software you installed and their product keys.

You can find a great tutorial for a clean Win 7 install that was written by one of the other Dell Rockstars here.

Unless your files are backed up on external media, you'll have to put the old drive in an external drive case and connect it to the 2305 via USB, after Windows is fully loaded, to try to rescue your files. Or you'll have to install it in some other PC as a secondary internal drive to see if you can rescue your files. If you install it in another PC, you'll probably need an extra SATA data cable because most PCs don't have spares.

RoHe · Accepted Answer

All-In-Ones frequently use laptop components which can be easier to squeeze into the screen's housing than desktop components...

Depends on what you want to do with that external HDD. The 2305 may not be able to boot from an external USB HDD, if that's what you had in mind. Better to have the OS and applications on the internal drive which should give you faster/better performance, and use an external drive for extra storage and/or backup copies of your files.

ritkit03 · Answer

Sorry - Inspiron One 2305 - Win 7 home premium. Thanks very much for all that info. So, essentially the drive is dead. Even if I get my recovery disks unpacked and loaded, it won't do any good since drive is gone? System is 4 years old so out of warranty. I have downloaded the service manual for the desktop to see how to open it and get drive out. Will I be able to get a new drive from Dell? I'll have to figure out how to deal with that with the manual. I'm a moderate techie but I can follow directions so I'll give it a try. Thanks again so much.

ritkit03 · Answer

It sure is broke tho. Dell had a refurbished drive for $125. I will check around for prices on what you have recommended. Thanks again.

RoHe · Answer

Dell had a refurbished drive for $125

How big is that refurbished drive from Dell and what's the warranty?

I see brand new 1T 3.5" (Seagate) drives with 2 year warranty for ~$50 and 2T for ~$70. Note that's for "bare" drives. Bare drives don't come with any cables, mounting hardware or in fancy packaging. But you should be able to re-use the SATA data cable and mounting hardware from the existing drive. And the PSU has a SATA power cable for the drive. Packaging, fancy or not, ends up in the trash anyway.

I personally would never buy a refurbished HDD, and I prefer Seagate and Western Digital. Your opinions may differ...

Just purchase from a reputable PC hardware shop or web site.

ritkit03 · Answer

750 GB. No mention of warranty. I wasn't planning on purchasing it anyway. I will check out your suggestions if I do go that route. Might just get a whole new PC but I hate to do that - this one is nice -- guess 4 years is the life span for a drive?? Thanks for your help.

RoHe · Answer

Hard to predict life span for a HDD. Depends on use, heat and even luck... There should still be life in this PC and a new drive is cheaper than a whole new computer.. Good luck, whatever you decide.

ritkit03 · Answer

www.amazon.com/.../ref=cm_wl_huc_item

Is this the one you are talking about? It is $50 at Amazon. When you say mounting hardware, that's the screws? I watched a video on how to replace these and it looks pretty straightforward. Unscrew, unplug the data cable and lift out it looks like. Then replug, rescrew and close up. All true? Thanks again for your help.

ritkit03 · Answer

This answer is great and thorough. Since the 2305 is a desktop seems it would need desktop drive. I'll check it out. Systems don't seem to ship with install disks anymore - I made recovery disks as recommended. Hope they work. Thanks for all thoughts and input. Also, what about external hard drives? Can they be used instead of internal drive. Noticed them listed on hard drive pages of Amazon. Thanks again,

ritkit03 · Answer

I'll check with one of the drive manufacturers' sites and see what they say -- also their forums which may also hold answers. Thanks again.

Locked Topics – Desktops General

System will not boot. Hard drive failure? Inspiron One

Was this post helpful?