BSOD and missing software Inspiron

Question

I have an Inspiron laptop, that is a little over a year old. I had it serviced once under warranty for a hard drive replacement, and then about a month ago, I started getting a random BSOD with a BIOS failure that complete shuts my system down (something about turning off cacheing and shadowing). Of course it started happening about 20 days out of my warranty. After updating the bios, and still having the problem, I ordered restore discs from dell. I have reinstalled the system from the discs, but now I have no software. No works, no games, none of the "extra" stuff that should have been on the system. Is there a way to redownlaod those programs? Or maybe I missed something on the discs? The weird thing is that even though none of that installed, my C drive is near full (the drive is partitioned 60G on C AND D has 230G). And yes, I am STILL having the random blue screen shutdowns.

Any thoughts?

Philip_Yip · Accepted Answer

In my instructions I say to download them to an external hard drive or USB stick, that way you have everything you need to complete your install. My guide has you copying all your files from your system onto an external hard drive.  Then downloading the latest Service Packs and Internet Explorer standalone versions. Then downloading the system drivers onto the external hard drive. You will then install windows installed (preferably format the drive in progress) then put on the first service pack (if its not included on your windows dvd). Then install Internet Explorer 9. (which you will find on your external hard drive). Then you install the system drivers from the external hard drive. In many systems you will be unable to connect to the internet until you have at least up to the network drivers installed. Windows 7 sometimes has native maybe not as good drivers that will probably give you the functionality. It is therefore better/good practice to follow the steps in the order as listed.  The guide just goes into check that there are no errors (i.e. all system drivers are present), to activate windows. Then it goes onto the security software... If going for Microsoft Security Essentials (as I recommend but up to you), it is best to download the installer and also the latest definitions onto the external hard drive. Install both of these before connecting to the internet so you are protected at first connection. I also recommend Malwarebytes' AntiMalware and Windows 7 Firewall Control. After ensuring you have security software as listed (or your own preference), connect to the internet and download the preinstalled Dell software. You may also download, Dell Webcam Centre and all the software from My Dell Downloads in advance and have them saved on the external hard drive. In either method you should save the software form my Dell Downloads onto an external hard drive for back-up purposes (it only lets you download each item 3 times). Note the Dell Support Centre and Office 2010 starter each want to download more files when you run their respective installers, you will need to disable any firewalls when installing these applications.

ieee488 · Answer

Run Dell Diagnostics. As for the 'missing' software, I know that Windows 7 Pro, the games are turned off by default. Works is separate from Windows.

SDempsey · Answer

I understand that Works is a separate program, but it was on the computer when I bought it, it is now not on the computer. I am trying to figure out how to get all of the factory pre-installed software that I paid for back on the computer.

Dell diagnostics program is also NOT on the computer. It re-installed windows but nothing else. Will try running it from the boot menu.

Philip_Yip · Answer

Please provide the model of your system and version of Windows (Vista or 7?) and if 32 or 64 bit it will assist us in helping you.

Yes run the diagnostics, hold F12 at the Dell BIOs screen and run any extended tests to check that all your hardware is intact.

Follow my guides below for a clean install of Windows 7 (I will assume you have Windows 7). It will tell you how to do everything. Where to get the system drivers, the Dell preinstalled software, the Dell Support Centre, Dell Webcam Software etc. In addition I have also compiled a list of some other useful free programs that may be of use to the every day user. The guides will also tell you how to redownload Microsoft Office 2010 (starter) which has since replaced Microsoft Works. It requires Windows 7 or Vista with SP2.

As for the drive being full, likely you have a folder called windows.old which contains all your files from your old installation, all your windows files and all your program files. Copy what user files you need from this folder and delete the windows.old folder as it takes up alot of space and really serves no use anymore.

Links to the guides are provided below. If you have not installed the standalone service pack 1 before the system drivers, I would start over and ensure you do that. Alot of software issues are resolved this way. If it is a virus/spyware problem you may wish to use DBAN to autonuke the hard drive and really start from scratch. Follow the order in the guide particularly with driver/service pack installation.

SDempsey · Answer

It is an Inspiron M5010 Win7 64 bit.  I will try re-installing windows again. According to your instructions, all the drivers should be downloaded BEFORE I do the re-install, and they will show up in the .old file? Am I reading that correctly? To me it seems like I would have to have windows reinstalled and operational before I download the driver updates.   I apologize for my ignorance, I am not very computer literate when it comes to the actual operating system so some of the instructions do not make much sense to me on screen  I appreciate any help.

SDempsey · Answer

Thank you VERY much for the great step by step guide Natakuc4.  I just finished the clean re-install last night and my system seems to running better than it even did when I first bought it.  Your time in putting this together is GREATLY appreciated!

Philip_Yip · Answer

Excellent. Glad to have helped. :)

SDempsey · Answer

OOPPSS - I cannot seem to locate the driver for my webcam.  I cannot find one for Inspiron 5010 Windows 64, and whne I try to start webcam central, it says no device driver installed.  Did I overlook something?  I can't even find it on my resource CD from Dell. WEIRD

Philip_Yip · Answer

The driver for the Webcam should be native for Windows 7. Try to follow the instruction here by Rick.

Press [Windows] and [Pause|Break] and go to device manager is the camera present under Imaging Devices?

There are many users that have had problems with the webcam (see here). The download I suggested works with most but not with others.

Philip_Yip · Answer

You did install Skype before the Webcam software (don't know if that makes a difference)? Does it work on Skype?

SDempsey · Answer

The only driver under mouse and keyboard on my driver and download page is the Synaptics touchpad......  Same problem on my resource CD.  The microsoft integrated webcam shows in my device list and when I look at it, it says the device is working properly and the driver in current.  But no matter which software I try, the webcam is not working at all. No driver and/or device is detected within the software.  Thanks for all of your help.  Dell is less than helpful or friendly now that I am out of warranty :(

SDempsey · Answer

Yes, I installed skype first, and no it does not find the webcam either. The light next to the lens comes on, but it never connects to skype feed. the little white spinning circle stays there indefinitely.

I am not a big video chatter, perhaps I should just buy a peripheral and use it separately. Just bothers me that the little lens stares at me all day and I can't use it. If you pay for something it should work!!

Thanks for all of your assistance.

nithin k thomas · Answer

I have an Inspiron laptop i need webcam driver pls

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BSOD and missing software Inspiron

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