[Vostro 1310] Can't install ANY Microsoft based OS but just Linux

I've just test a brand new 500GB HDD with the very same results. So it's not the disk.

If there's an entry for TPM in BIOS setup, disable it.

I forgot to say that there isn't an option for managing TPM in my bios (A15, the latest one).

I've completely disassembled my unit to remove the CMOS battery (not practical at all) Still the same.

Tested a new 2gb memory module. No luck.

Any help from a Dell expert?

First run the full system diagnostics from a bootable USB and post back any errors.

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/f12-preboot-diagnostics/

Its possible that same hardware is failing preventing the Windows install. Windows is more stringent on failing hardware than Linux however I would say this is unlikely because you have ran Linux for some time now.

Next make sure your BIOS is at default settings; the hard drive option should be AHCI.

If using your original hard drive you should securely wipe it using the likes of DBAN. This will effectively remove Linux entirely in the unlikely case Linux is interfering with the installation and you should essentially get a blank drive:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/securely-wipe-your-hard-drive-with-dariks-boot-and-nuke-dban/

Check if your new hard drive is advanced format or not, this could be causing similar problems to before:

The SATA drivers for this system should be included in Windows 7 32 Bit with Service Pack 1 media however you may want to try to load these if installation fails:

http://ftp.dell.com/SATA/R179638.exe

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/a-clean-install-of-windows-7/downloading-preparing-and-loading-sata-drivers/

Does your Windows 7 DVD include Service Pack 1?

Also have you tried installation from a USB device:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/download-microsoft-windows-and-office/download-microsoft-windows/windows-7-sp1-iso-download/

- Ok. I've run a full system diagnostics on my notebook. No errors so far.

- I set the bios at default settings.(disk on AHCI)

- Done a DBAN on my hdd. It's not the original 160gb. But a 250gb (I've returned the 500gb).

- Formatted the disk to NTFS (512k).

- I'm trying to install my old Vista here ( since I bought it and I have the restoration DVD), but a friend of mine gave me his legit retail W7 ultimate 64Bit SP1 so I tested it too. Both from DVD and USB.

The issue is still the same: after a first screen (Windows is loading files) a Win Logo appears the the system simply sits here. Last run was 4 hours, no activity light from dvd or the usb... I think I waited enough, I'll re-install Xubuntu the I'll create a virtual machine with Windows. Even if not practical at least it will works.

Any other clue to solve the problem?

Thanks.

Can you create a video going through your BIOS setup (omitting the service tag)?

Sure,

The video shows the USB boot install just to be clear of what is happening.

Thanks.

You have the error message No TPM or TPM has a problem (0:09).

In the security tab, disable password on boot and also disable computrace (0:24).

Tell me if the first error goes away and if you have any other security setting on. These are likely preventing Windows from booting.

As already tell I I don't have the TPM chip.

I never add a password on boot and never use computrace. The field are grayed out. Can't modify them... 

As you can see the system don't ask a password at boot and computrace change his status every time I reset bios to default. I mean every time I back to stock parameters immediately after the field mark as deactivate. After a power cycle it back to activate. In both cases the field is not modifiable. 

I'm starting to think my motherboard is defective. Time to buy a new buddy?

F.

Update: Setting a supervisor password and accessing the bios with it let me change the password on boot. Now is disabled. Computrace is still grayed out..

Can't install anyway.

You are still getting the TPM error, suggesting there is some problem with TPM, it should be disabled so this error message doesn't display.

Computrace is greyed out as activated. Suggesting it is activated and is not allowing you to disable it. Is there no TPM Activation/Security tabs under security?

NATAKUC4,

thanks for your interest.

Again, I don't have any TPM chip on my system. I had a closer look to my motherboard and I didn't see it as an option on my packing list using my TAG. There is no option on my bios.

Looking around, some others notebook users have the same error message but the majority Doesn't have the TPM chip.

I never enabled computrace on my system and the field shows  "activate" not "activated", so it should be disabled now...

Triage this issue is starting to be complicated...

Don't know why but I can't edit my previous post...

Here is a photo of my notebook disassembled. The TPM socket is empty.

Leeching around I discovered that when the bios is showing "No TPM or TPM has error" is not a critical error: simply it can't find the module on the socket.

On the picture you can also see the missing TPM module code # W592J JAL80 LS-4233P.

Now what? :emotion-40:

Seems like these are exactly the same problem:

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/p/19350032/19763610.aspx

http://forum.notebookreview.com/dell-latitude-vostro-precision/524965-dell-vostro-no-tpm-problem.html

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090902174934AAYvgM2

http://www.techques.com/question/3-385449/Dell-Vostro-suddenly-giving-No-TPM-or-TPM-has...-message-on-boot

http://www.computing.net/answers/windows-xp/dell-laptop-wont-boottpm-is-missing-or-tpm-has-a-problem/199395.html

Windows can't boot because of the TPM error which you have.

Theres no real solutions posted by others. Try removing the coin cell battery of the mainboard and/or replace it (CR2032 battery). In doing so this should reset all the BIOS settings to default.