700M: Installing replacement HD

Question

My current hard drive is malfunctioning. In response dell sent a replacement. When I installed the replacement, during boot-up, my computer gave the following error message: 'PCE-E61: Media test failure, check cable. PXE-M0F: Exiting broad com PXE Rom. No bootable devices' In response, dell sent ANOTHER replacement hard drive. After installation, and during boot-up, I received the exact same error message. Subsequently, I ran the diagnostic utility. A couple minutes into it I received the following error message: 'No diagnostic utility parition found. To run diagnostics, insert your dell drivers and utilities CD, then select OK to restart the system off the boot CD.' Of course though Dell doesn't include the drivers and utilities CD with the system purchase (Why not?) instead inserting a piece of 5x5 cardstock paper saying 'Your new computer does not require an operating system CD or drivers CD'. Bull. How do I install this replacement HD so it actually works? The replacement is a Hitachi Travelstar 60GB 5400RPM drive, the original is a Toshibi (I think, I can't remember for sure), same specs.

bacillus · Answer

It sounds very much like your laptop is trying to boot from a network! Suggest you go into BIOS setup and make sure that your hard drive comes before network in the booting order.

ejn63 · Answer

Make sure the hard drive is in the list of boot devices in system setup. Have you partitioned, formatted and installed Windows on the drive? As shipped, a drive will be completely blank.

mpetric683 · Answer

Hmmmm. I don't know about that... the product support person ensured me that the replacement HD would include the OS and drivers pre-installed. Either he blatantly lied to me or realy didn't care about my concerns what-so-ever.

mpetric683 · Answer

Dell no longer includes the operating CD or drivers CD with computer systems, well at least this one.

Dell technical support ENSURED me that the replacement hard drive would come pre-installed witht the Windows OS and all pre-installed software.

I have not yet updated anything in the boot settings. The HD does come before any network in the boot setting though.

Do I need to change the hard drive boot to this new hard drive? And if so, what do I need to enter?

ejn63 · Answer

Call Dell. They sent you a blank drive - you need one of two things: a new drive with the software, or the recovery CDs for Windows XP.

bacillus · Answer

Dell doesn't normally send out replacement hdds with the operating system installed & I think that that is the problem in spite of the assurance of their technical support person.

if you are still within warranty, ring them up and ask for your xp & other cds.
see the link below on Dell's new policy regarding software accompanying your laptop.

http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=sw_mediaexp&message.id=1762

mpetric683 · Answer

Also, forgot to mention that when I re-instlal the malfunctioning HD (it sounds like a weed-eater), the system boots into windows perfectly fine.

boingoboy · Answer

if they sent you a new drive....you have to partition and format it first....they won't do that for you. If this machine is still under warranty, I'm surprised Dell would do this and let you try and install the drive yourself...they always require machines under warranty to be sent back for repairs. Also...read your warranty....they repair your machine with used parts, maybe new at Dells choice.

Storage, Drives & Media

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