reinstall vista / factory image restore

Hi Alenh,

Request you to use the below link and follow the steps mentioned in it to check if there is any hardware failure:

http://dell.to/OUGnqT

If the test passes without any errors, you may use the below link and follow the steps in it to do a PC Restore where the computer is taken back to a state how it came from the factory:

http://dell.to/gB7c4b

Ideally Dell Utilities dont get installed automatically so you may use the below link and register then you can install all the softwares required:

http://bit.ly/9sK3DH

Note: Before doing a PC restore you will have to backup the data.

If you have further questions do reply to the same post.

Those instructions are for windows 7. You will have to backup your personal files using vista backup. Best to just copy your photos, docs, music, downloads and other personal files to removable media. All added programs will have to be installed using disks.

Make sure you did the suggested diagnostics including the extended hard drive test first. No use trying to reinstall windows on a failing drive. If the drive fails you will need to order replacement disks to reinstall windows here: support.dell.com/.../backupcd_form

i am referring to the instructions for vista, not win7. as i said, they say to go to control panel and click Backup Files.

you say to use vista backup  - where is that? in safe mode i dont see it in control panel.

thanks for the link but that is for US only. i'm in the UK.

kiran, using your first link, when i ran the diagnostics utility errors were found on the hard drive. i got this message:

"error code 0146

msg: error code 2000-0146

hard drive 0

self-test log contains previocus errors"

i dont know if the test completed, but the errors werent corrected. how can i get these errors corrected please?

thank you

allen

Hi Alenh,

I request you to try reseating the hard drive. Then you may use the below link and update BIOS:

http://dell.to/X92qJI

Now try running the test again. If you get the same error code then hard drive is failed and needs to be replaced.

If you have further questions do reply to the same post.

hi

how do i reseat the hard drive please?

i have looked at the link but dont know what this file does.

thank you

alen

Hi Alenh,

I request you to use the link below which has detailed instructions to remove or replace hard drive. Instead of removing or replacing you can just remove the connections and put it back.

http://bit.ly/V2BI5p

The file I have given in the above post is a .exe file to update BIOS.

If you have further questions do reply to the same post.

ok i understand. you think there may be a bad connection. i would be surprised if that is the problem but will check. thank you.

hi kiran

i have reseated the hard drive as you suggested and tried to update the bios. But the flash utility will not run because it says "No battery". If this is referring to the cmos battery, the battey is there and seems to be ok because the time and date are remembered. Should i replace the battery? The laptop is 4 years old so the battery should be ok.

I have run PSA diagnostics again and get the same error:

Error code 2000-0146

Hard drive 0 - self test log contains previous errors

If this indicates a hard drive failure how should i obtain a new drive from Dell? The laptop is still under warranty.

Thank you.

Hi Alenh,

Request you to follow the below steps to reset BIOS to default:

(1) Turn on the computer.

(2) At the Dell logo keep tapping the F2 key.

(3) BIOS screen appears, move to exit tab.

(4) Select Load setup Defaults option.

(5) Now check if it works.

(6) If same issue then hard drive is failed and needs to be replaced.

If you have further questions do reply to the same post.

hi,

i have reset the bios defaults but i still get the same error code when i run psa diagnostics, and the bios flash utility still says there is no battery. i suppose this means that the hard drive has failed. is there any point in me trying to do a Factory Image Restore?

as the laptop is still under dell warrantry, who should i contact to get the drive replaced?

thank you

alenh

Hi Alenh,

I request you to send me the system service tag through private message. I will check and let you know what needs to be done.

To send a private message, click on my name and select start conversation.

Hi, i've just sent my service tag by private message. i then pressed "start conversation" and the box disappeared, so i hope you got my message.

thanks

alen