Apologies for the blank reply, I tried to (unsuccessfully) write it on my iphone.
I have a DELL Latitude D810 and have the original XP and driver CDs.
Anyway, I have had the exact same issue this Saturday. In my case I stupidly tried to merge two blank partitions within XP, after removing Win7Rc1. This corrupted my XP installation, so I thought "no problem" I'll reformat my HDD in the laptop and delete the partitions during the XP installation.
On popping in the CD (not a restore disc but the complete XP DEL Installation CD), I rec'd the same error message as you. I also used my own M$ XP Pro disc but to no avail. Same error happened. The Laptop won't boot up either at all.
It appears that although the Laptop BIOS recognises that there is a HDD in the machine, it cannot access it.
I did previously notice that there was an 86Mb partition called DELL UTILITIES that is not accessible, and I suspect that it is this partion and its files that have become corrupted. As a result I suspect the HDD is totally defunct! As there is now no way of accessing the HDD, all I can do is replace it. Other posts seem to think that booting from a CD and re-installing is simple. Well, yes it is, IF, the system has got access to a HDD to write to! It appears we don't any more!
I am going to replace it tonight, having another smaller laptop drive and see if that solves the issue. It should but I will let you know.
I would love to know how to format the defucnt HDD, but as I said, because the system/bios cannot access it using DOS, I don't know how.
I think it is only fit for the bin now!
Other searches googling the exact error message also brings up similar problems and they all seem to be on DELL machines. I would like DELL to reply from their support area (perhaps the moderator might pick this up?) although they don't have anything on their support websites currently. Its just very strange that only DELL laptops have this issue to date.
Thank you for your reply. I have no doubt that part or all of what you are saying is correct.
I managed to get System Mechanic to pick up and repair some problems and the ran Norton System Works and that picked up a lot of problems and repaired them. I have now managedto load Windows 98 on the laptop something i could not do before. I will try to upgrade this to Windows 2000 and then try my restore disc.
Apologies for the blank reply, I tried to (unsuccessfully) write it on my iphone.
I have a DELL Latitude D810 and have the original XP and driver CDs.
Anyway, I have had the exact same issue this Saturday. In my case I stupidly tried to merge two blank partitions within XP, after removing Win7Rc1. This corrupted my XP installation, so I thought "no problem" I'll reformat my HDD in the laptop and delete the partitions during the XP installation.
On popping in the CD (not a restore disc but the complete XP DELL Installation CD), I rec'd the same error message as you. I also used my own M$ XP Pro disc but to no avail. Same error happened. The Laptop won't boot up either at all.
It appears that although the Laptop BIOS recognises that there is a HDD in the machine, it cannot access it.
I did previously notice that there was an 86Mb partition called DELL UTILITIES that is not accessible, and I suspect that it is this partion and its files that have become corrupted. As a result I suspect the HDD is totally defunct! As there is now no way of accessing the HDD, all I can do is replace it. Other posts seem to think that booting from a CD and re-installing is simple. Well, yes it is, IF, the system has got access to a HDD to write to! It appears we don't any more!
I am going to replace it tonight, having another smaller laptop drive and see if that solves the issue. It should but I will let you know.
I would love to know how to format the defunct HDD, but as I said, because the system/bios cannot access it using DOS, I don't know how.
I think it is only fit for the bin now!
Other searches googling the exact error message also brings up similar problems and they all seem to be on DELL machines. I would like DELL to reply from their support area (perhaps the moderator might pick this up?) although they don't have anything on their support websites currently. Its just very strange that only DELL machines have this issue to date.
Apologies for the blank reply, I tried to (unsuccessfully) write it on my iphone.
I have a DELL Latitude D810 and have the original XP and driver CDs.
Anyway, I have had the exact same issue this Saturday. In my case I stupidly tried to merge two blank partitions within XP, after removing Win7Rc1. This corrupted my XP installation, so I thought "no problem" I'll reformat my HDD in the laptop and delete the partitions during the XP installation.
On popping in the CD (not a restore disc but the complete XP DELL Installation CD), I rec'd the same error message as you. I also used my own M$ XP Pro disc but to no avail. Same error happened. The Laptop won't boot up either at all.
It appears that although the Laptop BIOS recognises that there is a HDD in the machine, it cannot access it.
I did previously notice that there was an 86Mb partition called DELL UTILITIES that is not accessible, and I suspect that it is this partion and its files that have become corrupted. As a result I suspect the HDD is totally defunct! As there is now no way of accessing the HDD, all I can do is replace it. Other posts seem to think that booting from a CD and re-installing is simple. Well, yes it is, IF, the system has got access to a HDD to write to! It appears we don't any more!
I am going to replace it tonight, having another smaller laptop drive and see if that solves the issue. It should but I will let you know.
I would love to know how to format the defunct HDD, but as I said, because the system/bios cannot access it using DOS, I don't know how.
I think it is only fit for the bin now!
Other searches googling the exact error message also brings up similar problems and they all seem to be on DELL machines. I would like DELL to reply from their support area (perhaps the moderator might pick this up?) although they don't have anything on their support websites currently. Its just very strange that only DELL laptops have this issue to date.
Apologies for the blank reply, I tried to (unsuccessfully) write it on my iphone.
I have a DELL Latitude D810 and have the original XP and driver CDs.
Anyway, I have had the exact same issue this Saturday. In my case I stupidly tried to merge two blank partitions within XP, after removing Win7Rc1. This corrupted my XP installation, so I thought "no problem" I'll reformat my HDD in the laptop and delete the partitions during the XP installation.
On popping in the CD (not a restore disc but the complete XP DELL Installation CD), I rec'd the same error message as you. I also used my own M$ XP Pro disc but to no avail. Same error happened. The Laptop won't boot up either at all.
It appears that although the Laptop BIOS recognises that there is a HDD in the machine, it cannot access it.
I did previously notice that there was an 86Mb partition called DELL UTILITIES that is not accessible, and I suspect that it is this partion and its files that have become corrupted. As a result I suspect the HDD is totally defunct! As there is now no way of accessing the HDD, all I can do is replace it. Other posts seem to think that booting from a CD and re-installing is simple. Well, yes it is, IF, the system has got access to a HDD to write to! It appears we don't any more!
I am going to replace it tonight, having another smaller laptop drive and see if that solves the issue. It should but I will let you know.
I would love to know how to format the defucnt HDD, but as I said, because the system/bios cannot access it using DOS, I don't know how.
I think it is only fit for the bin now!
Other searches googling the exact error message also brings up similar problems and they all seem to be on DELL machines. I would like DELL to reply from their support area (perhaps the moderator might pick this up?) although they don't have anything on their support websites currently. Its just very strange that only DELL laptops have this issue to date.
Mary G
4 Operator
•
20.1K Posts
0
July 11th, 2009 14:00
Sounds like you are not booting to your operating system reinstallation disk. Here are the instructions.
Tink0027
6 Posts
0
July 11th, 2009 14:00
malgilb
5 Posts
0
July 11th, 2009 15:00
Hello
How do i find your answer please?
Malcolm
malgilb
5 Posts
0
July 11th, 2009 15:00
Hello
How do i find your answer please?
Malcolm
Tink0027
6 Posts
0
July 13th, 2009 08:00
Hi Malcolm,
Apologies for the blank reply, I tried to (unsuccessfully) write it on my iphone.
I have a DELL Latitude D810 and have the original XP and driver CDs.
Anyway, I have had the exact same issue this Saturday. In my case I stupidly tried to merge two blank partitions within XP, after removing Win7Rc1. This corrupted my XP installation, so I thought "no problem" I'll reformat my HDD in the laptop and delete the partitions during the XP installation.
On popping in the CD (not a restore disc but the complete XP DEL Installation CD), I rec'd the same error message as you.
I also used my own M$ XP Pro disc but to no avail. Same error happened. The Laptop won't boot up either at all.
It appears that although the Laptop BIOS recognises that there is a HDD in the machine, it cannot access it.
I did previously notice that there was an 86Mb partition called DELL UTILITIES that is not accessible, and I suspect that it is this partion and its files that have become corrupted. As a result I suspect the HDD is totally defunct!
As there is now no way of accessing the HDD, all I can do is replace it. Other posts seem to think that booting from a CD and re-installing is simple. Well, yes it is, IF, the system has got access to a HDD to write to! It appears we don't any more!
I am going to replace it tonight, having another smaller laptop drive and see if that solves the issue. It should but I will let you know.
I would love to know how to format the defucnt HDD, but as I said, because the system/bios cannot access it using DOS, I don't know how.
I think it is only fit for the bin now!
Other searches googling the exact error message also brings up similar problems and they all seem to be on DELL machines.
I would like DELL to reply from their support area (perhaps the moderator might pick this up?) although they don't have anything on their support websites currently. Its just very strange that only DELL laptops have this issue to date.
Regards
Tink.
malgilb
5 Posts
0
July 13th, 2009 08:00
Hello
Thank you for your reply. I have no doubt that part or all of what you are saying is correct.
I managed to get System Mechanic to pick up and repair some problems and the ran Norton System Works and that picked up a lot of problems and repaired them. I have now managedto load Windows 98 on the laptop something i could not do before. I will try to upgrade this to Windows 2000 and then try my restore disc.
Thank you again
Malcolm
Tink0027
6 Posts
0
July 13th, 2009 08:00
Hi Malcolm,
Apologies for the blank reply, I tried to (unsuccessfully) write it on my iphone.
I have a DELL Latitude D810 and have the original XP and driver CDs.
Anyway, I have had the exact same issue this Saturday. In my case I stupidly tried to merge two blank partitions within XP, after removing Win7Rc1. This corrupted my XP installation, so I thought "no problem" I'll reformat my HDD in the laptop and delete the partitions during the XP installation.
On popping in the CD (not a restore disc but the complete XP DELL Installation CD), I rec'd the same error message as you.
I also used my own M$ XP Pro disc but to no avail. Same error happened. The Laptop won't boot up either at all.
It appears that although the Laptop BIOS recognises that there is a HDD in the machine, it cannot access it.
I did previously notice that there was an 86Mb partition called DELL UTILITIES that is not accessible, and I suspect that it is this partion and its files that have become corrupted. As a result I suspect the HDD is totally defunct!
As there is now no way of accessing the HDD, all I can do is replace it. Other posts seem to think that booting from a CD and re-installing is simple. Well, yes it is, IF, the system has got access to a HDD to write to! It appears we don't any more!
I am going to replace it tonight, having another smaller laptop drive and see if that solves the issue. It should but I will let you know.
I would love to know how to format the defunct HDD, but as I said, because the system/bios cannot access it using DOS, I don't know how.
I think it is only fit for the bin now!
Other searches googling the exact error message also brings up similar problems and they all seem to be on DELL machines.
I would like DELL to reply from their support area (perhaps the moderator might pick this up?) although they don't have anything on their support websites currently. Its just very strange that only DELL machines have this issue to date.
Regards
Tink.
Tink0027
6 Posts
0
July 13th, 2009 08:00
Hi Malcolm,
Apologies for the blank reply, I tried to (unsuccessfully) write it on my iphone.
I have a DELL Latitude D810 and have the original XP and driver CDs.
Anyway, I have had the exact same issue this Saturday. In my case I stupidly tried to merge two blank partitions within XP, after removing Win7Rc1. This corrupted my XP installation, so I thought "no problem" I'll reformat my HDD in the laptop and delete the partitions during the XP installation.
On popping in the CD (not a restore disc but the complete XP DELL Installation CD), I rec'd the same error message as you.
I also used my own M$ XP Pro disc but to no avail. Same error happened. The Laptop won't boot up either at all.
It appears that although the Laptop BIOS recognises that there is a HDD in the machine, it cannot access it.
I did previously notice that there was an 86Mb partition called DELL UTILITIES that is not accessible, and I suspect that it is this partion and its files that have become corrupted. As a result I suspect the HDD is totally defunct!
As there is now no way of accessing the HDD, all I can do is replace it. Other posts seem to think that booting from a CD and re-installing is simple. Well, yes it is, IF, the system has got access to a HDD to write to! It appears we don't any more!
I am going to replace it tonight, having another smaller laptop drive and see if that solves the issue. It should but I will let you know.
I would love to know how to format the defunct HDD, but as I said, because the system/bios cannot access it using DOS, I don't know how.
I think it is only fit for the bin now!
Other searches googling the exact error message also brings up similar problems and they all seem to be on DELL machines.
I would like DELL to reply from their support area (perhaps the moderator might pick this up?) although they don't have anything on their support websites currently. Its just very strange that only DELL laptops have this issue to date.
Regards
Tink.
Tink0027
6 Posts
0
July 13th, 2009 08:00
Hi Malcolm,
Apologies for the blank reply, I tried to (unsuccessfully) write it on my iphone.
I have a DELL Latitude D810 and have the original XP and driver CDs.
Anyway, I have had the exact same issue this Saturday. In my case I stupidly tried to merge two blank partitions within XP, after removing Win7Rc1. This corrupted my XP installation, so I thought "no problem" I'll reformat my HDD in the laptop and delete the partitions during the XP installation.
On popping in the CD (not a restore disc but the complete XP DELL Installation CD), I rec'd the same error message as you.
I also used my own M$ XP Pro disc but to no avail. Same error happened. The Laptop won't boot up either at all.
It appears that although the Laptop BIOS recognises that there is a HDD in the machine, it cannot access it.
I did previously notice that there was an 86Mb partition called DELL UTILITIES that is not accessible, and I suspect that it is this partion and its files that have become corrupted. As a result I suspect the HDD is totally defunct!
As there is now no way of accessing the HDD, all I can do is replace it. Other posts seem to think that booting from a CD and re-installing is simple. Well, yes it is, IF, the system has got access to a HDD to write to! It appears we don't any more!
I am going to replace it tonight, having another smaller laptop drive and see if that solves the issue. It should but I will let you know.
I would love to know how to format the defucnt HDD, but as I said, because the system/bios cannot access it using DOS, I don't know how.
I think it is only fit for the bin now!
Other searches googling the exact error message also brings up similar problems and they all seem to be on DELL machines.
I would like DELL to reply from their support area (perhaps the moderator might pick this up?) although they don't have anything on their support websites currently. Its just very strange that only DELL laptops have this issue to date.
Regards
Tink.
Tink0027
6 Posts
1
July 13th, 2009 15:00
SOLVED:
I created a boot disk on a CD using a mates nero 7 copy (could have been a USB or Floppy also as I have those too)
I booted to the CD which loaded in a version of DR DOS
Using the command FDISK I deleted the Windows partition and created a brand new one, which now allows me to install WIn XP again!!!
HURRAHHHHHHH
PROBLEM SOLVED !!!!
The DELL UTILITY partition was not causing the rror. It was the MBR and the installation. The FDISK deleted it all and i started from scratch.
Mind you Io still have lost ALL my data and CD collection in iTunes...!!! Some good songs too but I will have to dig out the originals again!
Tink