Windows 7 ReInstall **Unique Problem**

Thank you for taking your time to help out and reply.

I could install a 64 bit........  IF it would allow me too. Remember the issue is that: When trying to do a reinstall i'm getting stuck at "starting windows" I cannot get into the setup.

What should i Do?

That system should support 64 Bit, I advise clean installation with a Windows 7 64 Bit with SP1 .iso:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/download-microsoft-windows-and-office/download-microsoft-windows/windows-7-sp1-iso-download/

See also A Clean Install of Windows 7:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/a-clean-install-of-windows/

Why are you using Windows 7 32 Bit and not 64 Bit?

Probably you need to load SATA drivers during the installation:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/downloading-drivers-checking-hardware-ids-and-downloading-and-installing-dell-system-drivers-in-the-correct-order/checking-hardware-ids-in-the-device-manager/

Not sure? That was the operating system that came on the computer when I bought it. I do have aversion of windows 7 64 bit. But since this computer originally had 32 when I bought I thought it wouldn't be able to run 64??

anybody?

. How am i supposed to install ANY version of windows 7 if I cannot boot from the windows 7 reinstall disc or a usb? Do you understand? If i could just make a win 7 64 bit disc then I wouldn't ever have even needed to post this thread.   .

Thanks

Install Windows 7 64 Bit with up to date media and load the sata drivers, it should get you by the screen you are stuck on.

Hey no need to make an attacking statement, I am a forum user not a Dell employee, if you want instant contact from Dell, then you should call their technical support.

Also more information would help. The "Starting Windows" screen is it before it asks you where you want to install Windows or the reboot after?

The first thing I suggest is attempting to boot from more up to date installation media and preferable 64 Bit. Please let me know if you have the same issue.

Hey no need to make an attacking statement, I am a forum user not a Dell employee, if you want instant contact from Dell, then you should call their technical support. Also more information would help. The "Starting Windows" screen is it before it asks you where you want to install Windows or the reboot after? The first thing I suggest is attempting to boot from more up to date installation media and preferable 64 Bit. Please let me know if you have the same issue.

My apologies. I did not mean to come across as attacking...  I was simply trying to get my point across. 

So i took your recommendations and did what you told me. I tried to do the reformat / reinstall with the 64 bit version and am still having the same issues. Stuck at the "Starting Windows Screen"

Okay assuming this is the first "Starting Windows" screen as soon as you boot from the USB/DVD.

The first thing to check is that no additional USB devices are attached in particular external hard drives which can stall this screen. Its a laptop so just leave it as is without external USB devices attached.

You have tried it via both USB and DVD and with this model so I don't think its a USB 3.0 problem.

The stalling of this screen could also be due to hardware failure, I had it once due a failed memory module so I advise running extended F12 preboot diagnostics:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/f12-preboot-diagnostics/

There is also the chance that your old install has Malware embedded in it which is preventing the installation. I've seen others experience this issue before and its quite likely given the problems you are experiencing, hard drive replacement or securely wiping with DBAN would prevent this:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/securely-wipe-your-hard-drive-with-dariks-boot-and-nuke-dban/

Normally I would recommend securely wiping but if you securely wipe and still can't boot from the media then you will essentially have a blank hard drive and be in a worse situation than before. 

If the old install is working and is not embedded with Malware it may be worth using it to update the BIOS but run the F12 preboot diagnostics first, you don't want to update the BIOS if theres faulty hardware as theres a chance the update would brick the system.

So i've run the preboot diagnostics twice. 

Everything seems to pass.

However, Once i get to the "memory test activity" screen and it has CPU 0, CPU 1, CPU 2, CPU 3 it scans for a while then eventually freezes. It has froze here both times i have run the test.

What does this mean? 

There is one other thing i want to mention. I started noticing the laptop was having problems around the same time I downloaded a large software file from the internet.  So as of right now i'm thinking the possibility of it being embedded with malware seems high

Again thankyou for taking the time to help. I really appreciate it.

hello?

please respond i really need the help

It looks like it might be a faulty memory module.

Remove both your memory modules and insert only one.

Rerun the test with the system with 1 module only in the first slot. If all passes remove this memory module and replace it with the second, rerun the test.

It sounds like you have found the problem in some of the other cases the user could boot from the USB/DVD once the faulty memory module was removed or replaced.

It should work but we won't know until you try.

Yes that fixed the problem I was able to get completely through the entire pre boot diagnostics with no errors with one of the memory modules removed

Should I be able to boot from a usb or disc now?