Re-install vista after formating

Did you do it this way as shown on the links ?

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/freeed/sets/72157594490796701/show/   Clean Install of Vista presentation link

 

 

 

Thanks for reply,

 

I followed as link indicated but I did not have to type in activation code as I am using my Dell disk that came with my new system. Any ideas??

 

thanks

Correct, you do not have to type in the activation code since that is inbeded in the Bios and should just pass that part up.

 

Try it again, but this time if you have not done so, disconnect your internet, printer input cable, and insert the Vista CD into the tray, and reboot the system.  Just leave your keyboard and mouse connected.  See if this helps.

 

Others may wish to weigh in later to assist. 

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Thanks for trying...It still stops??? By the way it is a Dell Inspiron 1720. Anyhow if anyone has an idea all hple would be appreciated!!

 

 

Since I am not you, and others may have another idea, If I had the same issue, I would try one more thing than call Dell tech support up..

 

When I reinstall windows, I normally use a government hard drive wipe program to make sure all code, programs and such are not longer on the hard drive.  What this also does, is take anything that might be preventing me or you from doing a reformat and reinstall of windows. 

 

You are doing a reformat are you not, and not a repair instead or a install over the old OS, which maybe the issue here.

 

The free wipe program I use is linked below.  I do not use it to wipe the entire drive, but leave it on for about 10 minutes, than insert the OS CD/DVD into the tray, reboot the system and start fresh.  This way there is no other OS on the system to interfere with the new install, which just might be the issue.  Not 100% sure, but you have nothing to loose by trying.

 

Hard drive wipe free version

http://www.killdisk.com/downloadfree.htm  

I think I have the same problem.  I also have an Inspiron 1720 with Windows Vista Home Premium which I purchased recently.  Due to problems trying to get Battlefield 2142 to start up (it wouldn't go past the walker splash screen) I decided to reformat (even EA failed to solve my problem).  Installation stopped at the "completing installation" part.  The dots kept on passing as if work was being done, but no hard drive activity occurs.  At first, I let it run for about 2 hours before the screen went black with only the mouse pointer viewable (and moveable).  I looked at this post and decided to write zero's to my drive (at least the portion that was the OS partition, I kept Dell's Recovery partition) using KillDisk.  So far, I've been stuck on the "completing installation" part for 30 minutes without any hard drive activity.  If anyone has any suggestions, I would appreciate it.  I would rather fix the problem at home than spend 2 weeks sending it in, having Dell fix it, and have it sent back.

I ended up just setting my computer to factory defaults.  For more information, search:

"How Do I Restore the Dell™ Factory Image from the Windows® Recovery Environment with a Microsoft® Windows Vista™ DVD?"

 

I had to reapir startup files and then restart before the factory defaults actually worked.

Aggressor Prime:

 

Doing the search you suggest above (How Do I Restore the Dell™ Factory Image from the Windows® Recovery Environment with a Microsoft® Windows Vista™ DVD?) on this Dell site produced no results;

is there any other information I need to add to my search to find the info you refer to?

 

thanks.

I have an Inspiron 1720 with Windows Vista Ultimate.  I purchased a new 320GB, 7200rpm HD and proceeded to do a clean install.   Installation stopped at the "completing installation" part.  The dots kept on passing as if work was being done, but no hard drive activity occurs.  If you let it run for quite a while, the screen goes black with only the mouse pointer viewable (and moveable).

I didn't see an solution here shown here, so does anyone know what is going on?

Message Edited by DELL-Jesse L on 10-27-2008 02:22 PM

Message Edited by DELL-Jesse L on 10-27-2008 06:50 PM