You must have an operating system installed to update the bios. I'm guessing your problem is a failed hard drive so a bios update is not the problem. See if you can get to the diagnostics to run the extended hard drive test. Shut the computer off completely by pressing and holding down the power key until it shuts down. Then restart and immediately start tapping the F12 key without waiting for any screen. Select the Diagnostics if the boot menu appears and do a custom extended test of the hard drive.
You should explain why you are reinstall windows to get more advice.
Mary G: Thank you. I have run that diagnostic a few times. I see no way of running a custom test, or more in-depth HDD test, the diagnostic just launches immediately. I did run the full self test, including the full memory test (only option presented), it passed all tests. At the end of all the tests, after saying all tests passed, it does say "Pre-boot System Assessment complete. No diagnostic utility partition identified. Please select ok to reboot your system."
The reason for deleting the OS, all partitions, etc. was to eliminate the nagging suspicion of virus/malware infection.
My original reinstallation DVD goes all the way through the copying, expanding, feature installation, update installation steps and started the "Completing installation" step. It got through the first expected setup reboot, but after the setup program restarted, about 60 seconds later the machine blue screened. Unfortunately it flashes up for a couple of seconds and even then some information extends beyond the visible screen. The blue screen mentions A) be sure there is adequate disk space (no problem here), B) try changing video adapters (can't, laptop with integrated video), C) check with hardware vendor for BIOS updates (I was a few versions behind so downloaded latest from Dell), D) disable any memory cache or shadowing options in BIOS (I have CPU caches but cannot change them in BIOS, and no shadowing as far as I can tell).
After the blue screen the machine rebooted, Windows started, the install setup began to resume, but a dialog popped up saying "The computer restarted unexpectedly or encountered an unexpected error. Windows installation cannot proceed. To install windows, click "OK" to restart the computer and restart the installation."
I am really just trying to figure out some way to install the OS and return the laptop to functionality.
Mary G
4 Operator
•
20.1K Posts
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February 5th, 2016 14:00
You must have an operating system installed to update the bios. I'm guessing your problem is a failed hard drive so a bios update is not the problem. See if you can get to the diagnostics to run the extended hard drive test. Shut the computer off completely by pressing and holding down the power key until it shuts down. Then restart and immediately start tapping the F12 key without waiting for any screen. Select the Diagnostics if the boot menu appears and do a custom extended test of the hard drive.
You should explain why you are reinstall windows to get more advice.
mjavcm
3 Posts
0
February 5th, 2016 16:00
Mary G: Thank you. I have run that diagnostic a few times. I see no way of running a custom test, or more in-depth HDD test, the diagnostic just launches immediately. I did run the full self test, including the full memory test (only option presented), it passed all tests. At the end of all the tests, after saying all tests passed, it does say "Pre-boot System Assessment complete. No diagnostic utility partition identified. Please select ok to reboot your system."
The reason for deleting the OS, all partitions, etc. was to eliminate the nagging suspicion of virus/malware infection.
My original reinstallation DVD goes all the way through the copying, expanding, feature installation, update installation steps and started the "Completing installation" step. It got through the first expected setup reboot, but after the setup program restarted, about 60 seconds later the machine blue screened. Unfortunately it flashes up for a couple of seconds and even then some information extends beyond the visible screen. The blue screen mentions A) be sure there is adequate disk space (no problem here), B) try changing video adapters (can't, laptop with integrated video), C) check with hardware vendor for BIOS updates (I was a few versions behind so downloaded latest from Dell), D) disable any memory cache or shadowing options in BIOS (I have CPU caches but cannot change them in BIOS, and no shadowing as far as I can tell).
After the blue screen the machine rebooted, Windows started, the install setup began to resume, but a dialog popped up saying "The computer restarted unexpectedly or encountered an unexpected error. Windows installation cannot proceed. To install windows, click "OK" to restart the computer and restart the installation."
I am really just trying to figure out some way to install the OS and return the laptop to functionality.