M1330 Reinstallation of vista MULTIPLE TIMES

Hello,

Sorry for your troubles with your Dell.

I don't know why you are having problems, but if you give as many details as you can someone here might be able to help. One thing for sure is that Dell computers must be reinstalled in a specific order, or all kinds of problems can result. I will list the correct install order below ...

Note: Some devices may not function properly if the drivers are installed out of order.

Install your version of Windows.

Install the following software and drivers in the order listed below.

***** 1.***** Desktop System Software (DSS) or Notebook System Software (NSS) - A vital utility that provides critical updates and patches for the operating system. If you are reinstalling the operating system or updating all the computer’s drivers, it is imperative that this software be installed first.
Currently, the DSS and NSS are not required for systems with Windows Vista installed. This is located under the System and Configuration Utilities Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.
2. Chipset - Helps Windows control system board components and controllers. This is located under the Chipset Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.
3. Video Adapter - Enhances video performance. This is located under the Video Adapter Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.
4. Network Interface Card (NIC) - Enhances the network controller for Internet or network access. This is located under the Network Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.
5. Audio Adapter - Enables and enhances the audio controller. This is located under the Audio Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.
6. Modem - Allows dialup capability. This is located under the Communication Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.
7. Wireless Network Card - Enables and enhances the wireless network controller. This is located under the Network Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.
8. Touchpad, Pointer, Trackstick, Mice, and Keyboards - Enhances the pointing device features. This is located under the Mouse & Keyboards Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.
9. Other Devices
* Bluetooth Module
This is located under the Communication Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.
* Dell Wireless Mobile Broadband Cards
This is located under the Communication Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.
* PCMCIA/Smartcard controller
This is located under the Security Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.

Dell drivers and downloads page http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/.

NOTE: If your system download page offers a DSS or NSS file in the 'System and Configuration Utilities' Category. And you have already tried to install some drivers, you will need to reboot in Safe Mode to install the DSS or NSS file, and the chipset. Then reboot the system and install the rest of the drivers in the correct order.

the reinstalls have been done with the help of the techs.. so hoepfully thy knew what they were doing.... so this is very fristrating. 3 months.. 3 reinstalls. this is not normal considering I am not adding software for fear that i will crash and never come back

I get a driver error. saying a critical driver is missing or corrupt

cannot boot into safe mode

system restore did not work

this all happened when i was surfing the web and the computer just froze. on reboot it wouldn't start up

i ran the memory diagnostic check and that is fine

why is this happening every  month? I am starting to think I bought a lemon

so hopefully thy knew what they were doing.... so this is very frustrating. 3 months.. 3 reinstalls. this is not normal considering I am not adding software for fear that i will crash and never come back

Hello again,

I get no confidence knowing that "the reinstalls have been done with the help of the techs.".

How were these reinstalls done? Did you do the work with email advise, or did Dell do the work in some way? Does the error message say what driver is missing? And if Restore will not work, I think Dell should be made to fix the system to allow for it to work.

Can you run through the process that was used these times to reinstall the system please?

i get no confidence that they did the reinstall either :(

it was done over the phone and they told me what to do

 my error message says  file:\windows\system32\drivers\ntfs.sys

status 0xc00000e9

windows failed to load becasue a critical system driver is missing or corrupt

i paid 1600 for this laptop and had it 3 months.

who has to do reinstalls non stop? and dell just keeps telling me to do them :(

You say the machine crashes after visiting a web site. How do you know you didn't get a virus if the computer will no longer boot? Something that happens every month or so is not the hardware or the OS.

The error is related to the video driver. Which driver version are you using and is it an official laptop video driver or a modified desktop version?

well i intend to....... but getting the cooperation from dell is another story.. they don't think twice about saying it needs another install

could you tell me your opinion what is wrong with my system?  I am trying to figure out how I am going to get dell to HEAR me about the fact that something is wrong with this system

okay i get this same thing from Dell. I have virusware on my computer. I went to check my gmail and it crashes.  I didn't go to some random site. I have owned three previous dells and had virusware on all them as well.. I am not one to visit random weird sites.. plus I have the software  for virusware. It's not a virus. I ran all types of checks and after the first two reinstalls I have been so careful with checking for spyware, virusware, malware etc. I don't even download anything anymore for fear it will mess with my system.

basically i am afraid to use the computer for fear it won't boot. It's ridiculous..

it is the official laptop video driver.. i am not home right now( so not with the unbootable computer) so i have no clue what version it is. How would I find that info out?

The drivers that were installed were done all with the guidance  of dell support over the phone

could you tell me your opinion what is wrong with my system?  I am trying to figure out how I am going to get dell to HEAR me about the fact that something is wrong with this system

Hello again,

First thought going on what you say is that the hard drive is failing.

When you say that you have virusware on your computer what do you mean?

Also, I want to know a few more things. What are ...

Your CPU, Amount of memory, Version of Windows, Hard drive maker and size, Have you changed or installed any hardware in the system?

dobew,
KirkD is not entirely correct. Ntfs.sys is a Windows operating system file that isn't related to a video driver. It's a trustworthy file but malware has been known to camouflage itself as this file or corrupt or delete it. Not saying this is what happened in your case as I can't know that for certain. I'd suggest running the PSA diagnostics on that laptop.

Press F12 at the Dell logo screen and choose Diagnostics on the One Time Boot menu.

I have software that is to protect me against viruses, malware etc.

I am in grad school so mainly use my computer for word processing

I have not changed or installed any additional hardware

here is the order details

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4   Order Detail
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Item Description:
----------------------------------------------------
XPS M1330 - Intel® Core蒂 2 Duo T7250 (2MB Cache/2.0GHz/800Mhz FSB), Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1
   Unit Price: $2,092.00
   Quantity: 1
   Total Price: $2,092.00

-- XPS M1330 --
-- Intel® Core蒂 2 Duo T7250 (2MB Cache/2.0GHz/800Mhz FSB)
-- [223-4555]
-----------------------
-- System Color --
-- Flamingo Pink
-- [467-4431]
-----------------------
-- Memory --
-- 4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz
-- [311-7311]
-----------------------
-- LCD and Camera --
-- Standard Display with 2.0 Megapixel Webcam
-- [320-5585]
-----------------------
-- Video Card --
-- Intel® Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
-- [320-5602]
-----------------------
-- Hard Drives --
-- Size: 250GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
-- [341-5947]
-----------------------
-- OPERATING SYSTEM(S) --
-- Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1
-- [412-0946]
-- [420-5769]
-- [420-5924]
-- [420-6436]
-- [420-8566]
-- [420-7098]
-- [420-7387]
-- [420-7622]
-- [463-2282]
-----------------------
-- Adobe Software --
-- Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 8.1
-- [420-7468]
-----------------------
-- Combo or DVD+RW Drive --
-- CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW Drive)
-- [313-5361]
-- [420-8183]
-----------------------
-- Sound Options --
-- High Definition Audio 2.0
-- [313-4783]
-----------------------
-- Wireless Networking --
-- Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card
-- [430-2577]
-----------------------
-- Office Productivity Software (Pre-Installed) --
-- Microsoft® Office Home and Student 2007 - Word, Excel + PowerPoint
-- [420-6589]
-----------------------
-- Anti-Virus/Security Suite (Pre-installed) --
-- Norton Internet Security 2008, 15-Month
-- [410-1595]
-----------------------
-- Primary Battery --
-- 85Whr Lithium Ion Battery (9 cell)
-- [312-0562]
-----------------------
-- Warranty & Service --
-- 3Yr In-Home Service, Parts + Labor, 24x7 Phone Support
-- [950-3339]
-- [987-6358]
-- [982-8882]
-- [987-6357]
-- [983-3710]
-- [412-0359]
-- [960-3652]
-- [960-8710]
-----------------------
-- Accident and Theft Protection --
-- Add Accidental Damage and LoJack Theft Protection to 3Yr Warr.
-- [412-0358]
-- [960-9188]
-- [991-1159]
-- [420-8653]
-----------------------
-- Dial-Up Internet Access --
-- No ISP requested
-- [412-0148]
-----------------------
-- Fingerprint Reader --
-- Biometric Fingerprint Reader
-- [310-9273]
-----------------------
-- Miscellaneous --
-- Award Winning Service and Support
-- [466-8042]
-----------------------
-- Bluetooth and Wireless USB --
-- Built-in Bluetooth capability (2.0 EDR)
-- [430-2566]
-----------------------
-- Environmental Options --
-- Recycling Kit and Plant a Tree for Me
-- [310-5408]
-----------------------
-- Dell Digital Entertainment --
-- No Entertainment software pre-installed
-- [464-9572]
-----------------------
-- Camera Panel --
-- PINK Glossy, widescreen 13.3 inch LCD (1280x800) & 2.0 MP Camera
-- [320-6756]
-----------------------
-- Processor Branding --
-- Intel Centrino Core Duo Processor
-- [310-9348]
-----------------------
-- Labels --
-- Windows Vista蒂 Premium
-- [310-8628]

okay how do I run PSA diagostics?

one error code. 0142  mesg 2000-0142 unit 1 drive self test failed status byte 79   still running it but this error came up pretty quickly

Hello again,

Like I said before, the hard drive is failing and corrupting your file system.

Call support again, tell them the results of your tests. Insist on them sending a new hard drive "Pre-installed with a working recovery partition" and all your programs just like you had with the new system.

If you have any problems at all use this link. "Briefly" describe your problem and what you request as a fix.