1) tapping F8 doesn't bring up any other boot options, the screen just continues to black.
2) I'm going to try a Spinrite CD now. (need to pop out to the shop for some CDs first though)
3) I don't have an external monitor to try, but seeing as the Dell logo appears, I don't see why the monitor would be a problem. I could take the monitor from my XPS and try plugging it if you think the monitor could be causing problems.
4) I don't have an XP disk, just the Dell recovery disk. Is there any difference between the two? If so, I can try to find an XP installation disk.
5)I don't have Norton System Works, but I would try downloading it if it's free.
I've just created a Spinrite CD and it's working. (!!!) Thanks for the advice. It's funny that it won't boot from USB, but will from CD, any idea as to why that happens?
Also, do you have any idea why Spinrite (and presumably a Win XP CD) works but the Dell recovery CD doesn't? Doesn't seem to be much of a recovery CD id that's the case.
I'll report back anyway when Spinrite finishes the scan.
Spinrite uses Free DOS as the OS and some machines just don't deal with it. There is a procedure on Steve Gibson's site to set up a free HP boot from USB but it's a little complicated and I didn't want to mention it unless Spinrite CD didn't work.
I think the Dell Logo is before the graphics system is initialized (as is Spinrite) so it's possible you have a bad screen and/or graphics card. Another monitor would help decide that.
Right, I ran a full scan on spinrite, but to no avail.
I'm skeptical as to whether it's the GPU as there isn't any startup/login sound or much noise activity from the fans or drives when it should be starting up. But, because it's not my laptop, so I don't know what kind of noise levels should eb coming out.
I have a 13 inch dell xps 1330 screen I could swap it with. The Inspiron with the problems has a 15inch screen. There shouldn't be any compatibility issue there should there?
Another clue might be this error
PXE-E61: Media test failure, Check cable. PXE-M0F: Exiting Broadcom PXE-ROM
This appears if I attempt to boot from CD, but don't press a key to initialise the boot. Does this mean it's attempting to boot from the modem? Because it's not at the top of the boot sequence
dleary1
28 Posts
0
January 26th, 2010 07:00
1) can you boot to safe mode with networking (f8 as it boots)? I'm guessing you've tried that since you have Spinrite
2) can you boot Spinrite from CD? I have several machines that won't boot from USB even though that's an option
3) try an external monitor -- graphics card or lcd shot?
4) can you boot in recovery mode from the xp disk?
5) Norton System Works has a decent recovery disk
mickjordan
4 Posts
0
January 26th, 2010 08:00
Thanks for the quick reply
1) tapping F8 doesn't bring up any other boot options, the screen just continues to black.
2) I'm going to try a Spinrite CD now. (need to pop out to the shop for some CDs first though)
3) I don't have an external monitor to try, but seeing as the Dell logo appears, I don't see why the monitor would be a problem. I could take the monitor from my XPS and try plugging it if you think the monitor could be causing problems.
4) I don't have an XP disk, just the Dell recovery disk. Is there any difference between the two? If so, I can try to find an XP installation disk.
5)I don't have Norton System Works, but I would try downloading it if it's free.
Any other suggestions?
mickjordan
4 Posts
0
January 26th, 2010 08:00
I've just created a Spinrite CD and it's working. (!!!) Thanks for the advice. It's funny that it won't boot from USB, but will from CD, any idea as to why that happens?
Also, do you have any idea why Spinrite (and presumably a Win XP CD) works but the Dell recovery CD doesn't? Doesn't seem to be much of a recovery CD id that's the case.
I'll report back anyway when Spinrite finishes the scan.
dleary1
28 Posts
0
January 26th, 2010 10:00
Spinrite uses Free DOS as the OS and some machines just don't deal with it. There is a procedure on Steve Gibson's site to set up a free HP boot from USB but it's a little complicated and I didn't want to mention it unless Spinrite CD didn't work.
I think the Dell Logo is before the graphics system is initialized (as is Spinrite) so it's possible you have a bad screen and/or graphics card. Another monitor would help decide that.
mickjordan
4 Posts
0
January 26th, 2010 11:00
Right, I ran a full scan on spinrite, but to no avail.
I'm skeptical as to whether it's the GPU as there isn't any startup/login sound or much noise activity from the fans or drives when it should be starting up. But, because it's not my laptop, so I don't know what kind of noise levels should eb coming out.
I have a 13 inch dell xps 1330 screen I could swap it with. The Inspiron with the problems has a 15inch screen. There shouldn't be any compatibility issue there should there?
Another clue might be this error
PXE-E61: Media test failure, Check cable.
PXE-M0F: Exiting Broadcom PXE-ROM
This appears if I attempt to boot from CD, but don't press a key to initialise the boot. Does this mean it's attempting to boot from the modem? Because it's not at the top of the boot sequence