Killed my HDD - sort of

How does it respond to a direct Clean Reinstall from a Windows 10 .iso?

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/download-windows-10-oem-and-retail-iso/

Hi Markarina,

Firstly, the R4 is not compatible to work with W10. Dell has not yet tested the system for W10 - see this link - http://dell.to/1NNhozk

Run the diags again through f12 and run a thorough / extended test on the HDD and see if it finds any errors.

Perform a BIOS update - since the system does not boot into windows - you could try this step -

• Presuming you have another system to work with - you need to use a small flash drive - create a bootable flash drive using either of the links - Please read the links thoroughly before you continue
• http://bit.ly/1mmhOE1
• http://dell.to/1I8pH8Z
• Download the BIOS from support.dell.com - http://dell.to/1Pwntme - enter the service tag and select drivers and downloads and BIOS - save the file.
• Check #6 on this link on - http://dell.to/1Rn7FjM- how to copy the BIOS file to the bootable flash drive created.
• Connect the flash drive to your system and then boot off it through f12 key and update the BIOS.
  

After the BIOS update, try a clean install of W7/W8.1

• Boot off the OS disc. After choosing the keyboard and language options, select repair computer / or press shift + f8 - it should open the command prompt.
• Once you are at the command prompt, type in - "diskpart" -> "list disk" -> "select disk 0" -> "clean" -> "exit" -> exit ----NOTE---------- "->" means enter
  
• After restart, get to the OS setup, keyboard and language options - then select Install Now - check this video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thcbA8-2dS4 - from 3:33min to 5:07 min - this should help you setup a clean install.
  

Keep us updated.

Same error with the W10 iso.

Hi Rishi,

I trusted Microsoft that when they said I was ready to go that it would be ok, only when I started having problems did I go back and double the Dell website .

I'll try the steps you suggest when I get home Tuesday and let you know.

Thanks

Mark

I have upgraded to Win 10 with 3 old Dells that are not on the Dell list. You probably need to replace the hard drivedrive.

Well I've managed to get my laptop back up and running, using some of the information above and info from this thread .

The only issue I have now is that I can't figure out  away to make my SSD back as an acceleration drive rather than a cache drive

Hi Markarina,

The acceleration and caching is linked together, as in they are both the same and part of the Intel Rapid Storage Technology - read more about it on this link - http://intel.ly/1zx4S1c

Now, to enable the acceleration on your system - follow this link - http://dell.to/1JDKmC4

Let us know if you have any other questions.

Hi Rishi,

Pretty much as you posted your reply, I found the Intel utility to configure the disk acceleration, so that is all sorted.

So I have one final question - what are the best boot options to use with the R4 and Windows 7 ... currently if I hit F2 during startup and go the BIOS options - Boot, I have the following options set ...

Add Boot Options [Last]

Legacy - following options listed when I press enter

• HD
• CD
• Net

UEFI - nothing listed when I press return

Secure boot - [Disabled]

Load legacy option  ROM - [Enabled]

Boot list option [Legacy]

I believe that UEFI boot is quicker??

Hi Markarina,

Until Win7 the BIOS was on Legacy. This was how it was designed to work. UEFI BIOS was designed to work from W8 onwards.

So, to answer your query, your current BIOS settings is optimal for your system to work.