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19227
October 4th, 2011 08:00
Laptop can't / won't boot up - corrupt driver!
My laptop Dell Inspiron 1501 running Vista 32bit home basic, will not boot. I started it the other day and it just came up with the following message:
Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause. To fix the problem: 1. insert windows installation disk etc. 2.Choose language etc. 3. Click repair. If you don't have the disk .....; File:\Windows\system32\drivers\atapi.sys Status: 0xc000000f Info: Windows failed to load because a critical system driver is missing or corrupt.
I have tried to insert the disk - doesn't want to read it. Thought the disk was faulty and tried to use a repair disk but that won't read either. Have tried booting it through the F8 options - nothing - keeps coming up with the same message. I realized that my CD/ DVDDrive is Atapi!
My battery is also dead, but I just run it off the mains. Is there a way I can fix this (on a very tight budget) or will I have to take it to someone!
Appreciate any help!
Thanks
Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause. To fix the problem: 1. insert windows installation disk etc. 2.Choose language etc. 3. Click repair. If you don't have the disk .....; File:\Windows\system32\drivers\atapi.sys Status: 0xc000000f Info: Windows failed to load because a critical system driver is missing or corrupt.
I have tried to insert the disk - doesn't want to read it. Thought the disk was faulty and tried to use a repair disk but that won't read either. Have tried booting it through the F8 options - nothing - keeps coming up with the same message. I realized that my CD/ DVDDrive is Atapi!
My battery is also dead, but I just run it off the mains. Is there a way I can fix this (on a very tight budget) or will I have to take it to someone!
Appreciate any help!
Thanks
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kimleach
3 Posts
0
October 4th, 2011 09:00
Sorry can't get onto a page with Support on. It just goes to error page or advanced boot options, but none of the boot options work! No can't get into safe mode.
kimleach
3 Posts
0
October 4th, 2011 09:00
Hi, tried that but F12 just brings up a windows error recovery screen with options to open in diff modes - will not open in any mode!
dallascowboyswo
4 Apprentice
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2.4K Posts
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October 4th, 2011 09:00
You may have to go to the Drivers home page by clicking on Support on the top of this page and download the Diagnostic file to make a bootable cd and boot to it and run Diags. When you press F8 can you get into Safe mode?
dallascowboyswo
4 Apprentice
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2.4K Posts
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October 4th, 2011 09:00
Press F12 at boot and see if you can run Dell Diags. See if it passes all of the hardware tests. If it does then press F8 at boot and see if you can get into safe mode. If you can enter safe mode. Go to the Start button and run and type in cmd and click ok. At the command prompt type sfc /scannow and press enter.
dallascowboyswo
4 Apprentice
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2.4K Posts
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October 4th, 2011 10:00
When you press F8 do you see an option for Last Known Good if so try that.
If it is a software issue, and you can not do a repair from Windows, and you can not get into Safe mode, then you might have to do a reinstall. That would mean you would you might try CTRL F11 at boot, when you see the Dell logo,and restore Windows back to the way it was when you recieved it. By doing this all will be erased and you would lose any data you had on your hard drive. You can try to backup your data if you buy an external enclosure and mount your hard drive in it, and plug it into a good working pc and transfer all of your files before you do the reinstall.