new hdd and "PXE-E61: Media test failure, check cables"

Does the system boot from the DVD, or just skip past it (note that you must press a key when prompted)?  Are you certain the DVD drive reads correctly?

You need to boot from the Windows disc to do the install.  Press F12 at powerup with the disc in the drive and choose the DVD drive as your boot device.

See here:

http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?docid=DSN_362048

Hi EJN63

I did it already, it was the first thing I did.

Hello,

I am having the same problem with my Dell Inspiron N5010. The hard drive failed, I replaced it (2.5" SATA 500GB). I have Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit ISO on a DVD and I am trying to boot to it. I get the same error code:

PXE-E61: Media test failure, check cable.

I am not getting anywhere, need my computer fixed. Anyone from Dell tech support to help?

Thanks,

Anand

Hi Anand

In my case, I found out that the CD optical device was having troubles to read the reinstallation DVD. It can read a regular CD, maybe a DVD (I did not test it), but cannot read a boot DVD. I created a DVD with the ISO image, but it is not necessary, the DVD has the windows and it is bootable. 

What I did was to remove the optical drive and replace it by another one, from a friend`s laptop and it did work fine!! Then I installed the windows, and after that, I used the other Dell DVD, with other drivers. Then I went to the Dell`s site and I downloaded the other drivers.

Good look and write if you need any help

Hi Joe,

After replacing the HDD, the diagnostics are OK, including the HDD and optical drive diagnostics. So optical drive is not the problem.

In my case the laptop did not come with a Windows 7 64-bit DVD, so I downloaded the Windows 7 64-bit ISO file and burned it on a DVD, which I am using to boot up.

I am still stuck, can you suggest something else?

Thanks,

Anand

Did you burn the ISO to DVD as is, or use a tool that burns the _image_ contained in the ISO to the disc?  The ISO itself when burned to a DVD WILL NOT be bootable?

Once you download a ISO file and right click, Windows 7 menu has an option 'burn disc image'.

That's what I did (burned to DVD). From what I read on the Windows website, the ISO image on DVD will be bootable. The problem is something else.

Dell Tech Support - Can you please help?

Will that disc boot another system?  If not, there's likely something wrong with the disc.  If so, there's a fault with the DVD drive in the notebook.

Hi ejn63,

The DVD does boot another laptop, so ISO image on DVD is OK.

I ran diagnostics on the system, it is OK, so DVD drive is OK.

Next, I downloaded drivers for Windows 7 and added them to the DVD.

Now, when I select DVD as the boot device, I get the following message:

Reboot and select proper Boot device

or Insert Boot Media in selected Boot device and press a key

(it keeps repeating, the DVD is in the drive.)

If I select HDD as the boot device, I get the error message (as before):

PXE-E61: media test failure, check cable

PXE-M0F: exiting PXE ROM

Q) Does this have anything to do with the coin cell battery? Does it need replacement?

Thanks,

Anand

If the DVD works in another system, it sounds like the DVD drive is bad - either replace it or use an external USB DVD drive (or make a USB flash install drive) to install the OS.

thanks for ur suggestion.you save my time and money.

my Inspiron 1545 will not boot from DVD even though the drive spins up when a disc is inserted even with onboard  NIC diasbled .. Cable Hardware Detect test passed when I ran the onboard diagnostics Suggestions ?

Hi Smax426,

Is the BIOS set to boot from the DVD drive first? Have you tried selecting the DVD drive from the F12 boot menu? What disc are you trying to boot from?