Windows Vista won't load up

Question

My sister in law has an old Dell Inspiron Laptop that runs windows vista. For some reason it won't load windows vista. This just happened yesterday. I would post the video on this one so you guys could help me out on this one.

Dennis3232 · Answer

Just a folllow up. Does Dell provide a restore disc for this one. If this was my computer I'll just reformat it right away. Since my sister in law still has some files in that laptop formatting is the last option that we are considering.I hope this helps.

DELL-Chinmay S · Answer

Hi Dennis3232,

You can run a diagnostic test on the hard drive of your computer to check the hardware functionality:

Please restart the system.
As soon as you see the blue Dell logo, start tapping the ‘F12’ key which is at the top of the keyboard.

Note: If you wait too long and the Microsoft Windows appears, then continue to wait until you see the Windows desktop. Now shutdown your computer and try again.

After you tap ‘F12’ key, a new window would appear in front of you. Use the 'Down' arrow key to highlight the option “Diagnostics”
When you get a prompt 'Were color bars displayed?’. Press 'Y' in case the color bars are displayed else press 'N'.
Continue running the test till you get a message: No errors found so far. Would you like to continue the remaining memory steps? It might take more than 30 minutes. Press 'N' and restart the computer.
Please make a note of error code if any.

If the tests pass, you can perform a PC restore. All Dell systems are shipped with an Image of Operating system and the applications that are shipped from the factory. You would not need the Operating system disc to perform PC restore. In this, your computer will be restored to default factory settings.

Note: PC restore will lead to data (pictures, documents, programs, music) loss. Please perform a data backup prior to this step. Please disconnect any external peripherals (printer, scanner or any USB device) as well.

Steps for PC restore:

Start the computer.
Tap the key about 5-6 times on the keyboard during the startup process ( as soon as you see the blue Dell logo) until you see the Windows Advanced Options menu on the screen.
Note: If the Windows Advanced Options menu does not appear, restart the system and try again.
Press the key to select Repair Your Computer and press the key.
The System Recovery Options window appears.
Select your language and click next.
Log in as a user with administrative rights and click OK.
Click Dell Factory Image Restore.
The Dell Factory Image Restore window appears.
Click Next.
Check Yes, reformat hard drive and restore system software to factory condition.
Click Next.
The factory software image is now written to your hard drive.
Click Finish to restart the computer.

For more information on this, you can also refer to link: http://dell.to/VNR1yv

Please share the findings.

Dennis3232 · Answer

Thanks for your reply sir. It seems my sister in law accidentally erased the partitioned drive where the image is stored. Is there a way for me to download this from dell's web site? There's no guarantee that I would still be able to keep the files that she has on her computer right? BTW, the computer passed all the test.

Dell_Abhishek_B · Answer

Hi Dennis3232,

Thank you for your reply.

I am replying on behalf on Dell_Chinmay_S. As the partition has been erased the only option would be to reinstall the operating system and drivers from the installation CDs. Also, whether you do a PC restore or an Operating system reinstallation you will loose all the data that is saved on the system.

I have added you as a friend. Please accept my friend request by clicking on my name highlighted in blue and then click on “Friends” tab at the top and then click on “Request to Review” and finally click on “Accept” button.

I am sending you a private message as well. Click on “Inbox” to respond to the message and provide system’s Service Tag so I may access your system records and check for further course of action. You could also click on Start Conversation to send a private message.

Please reply for any further help.

Dennis3232 · Answer

I'm thinking about removing the Del Inspiron 1545 hard drive. Putting it on an enclosure. Plug that enclosure to another computer. Hook up my other exnternal hard drive and I would proceed transferring the files on the old hard drive to a new hard drive. Would this work?

Philip_Yip · Answer

It should the trick.

Locked Topics – Laptops General

Windows Vista won't load up

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