Cannot install new OS, error 0142 but HDD still working fine.

Question

I own a Dell Inspirion 1545. I am currently trying to install a new Linux distro on my laptop and have run into a problem. I am currently running Ubuntu 11.04 with no issues, I can log in and surf the internet and do everything I want to. But upon trying to install a new distro, I went into BIOS and changed the boot priority so the CDROM would come first and kept getting a message essentially telling me that it could not read any bootable device. And to strike F1 to retry, F2 to get into setup/BIOS and F5 to run the diagnostics. I ended up retrying the installation but with the OS's .iso on a USB drive instead and was met with a message saying to remove all media, then Ubuntu would load like normal. I ran the diagnostics and got error 0142. From what I've read online this apparently means my HDD is dead. Although I can still load my OS (only running Linux, I wiped that Windows junk off of the machine) with zero issues and it runs awesome, even my CD and USB media that I have been using to try and install the new OS is being read by the computer with its appropriate data.

I tried this entire process with a new HDD, freshly formatted and got the exact same results. I even tried to install a copy of Windows XP (via DVD/CDROM) and had the same problems. How do I go about getting around this so I can put my new operating system on my laptop.

DELL-Chiranjeev · Answer

Hi waldoh74,

Welcome to the community.

Error code 0142 corresponds to a hard drive failure. There might be many bad sectors on the hard drive so you may not be able to reinstall the OS on it. It’s better to get the hard drive replaced.

Let me know in case there any other concerns. Glad to be of assistance.

Thanks & Regards

Dell_Chiranjeev_S

Dell Social Media Responder

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waldoh74 · Answer

I did use a new hard drive.

DELL-Chiranjeev · Answer

Hi waldoh74,

Thank you for your quick reply. If I understand you correctly, you got the same error code on the new hard drive as well. Is that correct?

Glad to be of assistance.

Thanks & Regards

Dell_Chiranjeev_S

Dell Social Media Responder

http://www.facebook.com/Dell

http://twitter.com/#%21dell

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE21F49ACD1A6B608&feature=plcp

waldoh74 · Answer

Yes, I got the exact same error code.  Neither HDD has failed however, both are in complete working order.  I have also attempted to use an external optical drive, attempting to access it via CDROM and USB boot options.

DELL-Chiranjeev · Answer

Hi waldoh74,

Thank you for your reply. Well, in case you got the same error code with the replacement drive, it means there is an issue with the new hard drive as well and you can get it replaced if its within 21 days from the date of invoice.

However at the same time you can try one basic step of releasing the static power and then try reinstalling the OS.

Following are the steps to release the static power.

Please remove the battery as well as the AC adapter from the system. Press and hold down power button pressed for 10 seconds.

Let me know in case there are any other concerns. Glad to be of assistance.

Thanks & Regards

Dell_Chiranjeev_S

Dell Social Media Responder

http://www.facebook.com/Dell

http://twitter.com/#%21dell

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Cannot install new OS, error 0142 but HDD still working fine.

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