replacing HD --> but can't boot from Diagnostics Utility CD !!!

Why are you trying to boot from the Diagnostics Utility CD?

Generally that is done to determine if there is a hardware problem.

Just put in the Dell Windows CD and install Windows.

Good suggestion but I run into the same symptom/problem as listed if the new HD is in the machine. If I take out the HD and only have the CD/DVD then I can boot from it, whether I try from the original Dell/Vista version I had or the new Win 7 Ultimate I also have.

So the installation of a new HD is still blocking a prioritized boot from the CD/DVD, no matter what disk I have in the CD/DVD.

The one helpful thing about your post though, was to try confirm I can boot successfully from the CD/DVD wtihout a HD. So I know that part is working.

Now I still need to get past the (Bios?) (Dell?) (Other?) search for that non-existent partition - so that I can install Windows on the new HD and all other utilities and applications.

THANKS for your help! Any further suggestions?

Your problem is something I haven't come across before.

It sounds like you have a desktop PC. Perhaps check the cable connections.

Hi Dellalan,

Can you enter the BIOS?

I need more help... I had to set the project down temporarily... Now I'm back.

I managed to boot to Windows on the CD/DVD and tricking it by unconnecting the data cable to the new HD and (RIGHT) after the system went to load Windows from the CD I quickly plugged in the data cable to the new HD. That way the CD/DVD-based Windows managed to see the unformatted and unpartitioned disk. The first time I did this I waited too long and the Win boot didn't see any drive to install Windows into.

Now I still think I need to partition the drive so that the Diagnostics Utility can be installed there. It's not clear, even after extensive research on ehow.com, dell.com and a few other sites on how to recreate that thing.

So I'm going to keep reading until I find some clear instructions on how to recreate the appropriate diagnostics partition, get the software into it and be able to boot normal again.

I still don't understand why Dell has prevented me from simply booting normally from the CD/DVD with a Windows install disk on it. I've been a lifelong Dell consumer and this is pushing me to HP.

Thanks for your help.

You don't need the diagnostic partition. The diagnostics can be just as easily run from a bootable CD or flash drive, so there's no need to put them on the hard drive.

However, I'm still a bit stumped why you can't boot to the Windows disc with the hard drive connected. You're sure the drive is good, right? Have you tried resetting BIOS defaults?

Here's what I think fixed the issue. Once the partitions of the new HD were defined (but not necessarily even formatted), then the boot to the CD/DVD hosted Windows installation disk was successful without the physical hack of trying to attach a cable to the new HD. I'm guessing that the check for the Diagnostics Utility Partition (from whereever it emanated) had some internal cross-check that IF it found ANY partitions, even without its expected Diagnostics utilities, that it would proceed to the CD/DVD boot. I could not get it to do so with an unpartitioned disk in the machine normally hooked up to the data cable. That's very odd and wrong and Dell owes me a couple of days of pain for that IMHO. Anyways, I've now got Win installed and there's no special diagnostics utility partition nor indication the system is looking for it.

I'm still curious from what code and what physical location that search for the diagnostics utility partition comes from - but otherwise, here comes Christmas...

Many thanks Osprey4. I really appreciate the dialog.

Happy Holidays.

I'm as baffled as you are. There is nowhere in the BIOS that the system tries to point to a diagnostic partition on the hard drive that I'm aware of. Anyway...

Merry Christmas!