HELP!!! Inspiron refuses to reinstall windows or run diagnostics

Question

I have an inspiron 8600 with P-M 1.5GHz processor, 32MB video card, 512MB Memory just bought off e-bay.  I have attempted the following to reinstall windows with a new hard drive:   1) Tried to run Dell XP restore cd.  Windows setup starts to load drivers and then gets to 'Windows setup' portion of the drivers and freezes.  Sometimes it will get to Toshiba something or other and freeze. 2) Tried to run Dell Diagnostics cd.  Got to the menu where I can select 2 to run the 32 bit Dell diagnostics.  Pushed 2 only to have the computer reboot without attempting diagnostics program. 3) Tried to run Windows 2000 Professional only to have that freeze just like XP. 4) Tried to run Windows 98SE only to have that freeze during the installation process. 5) Did some magic to get a hard drive to FAT32 on another computer to place the current BIOS update on the computer using DOS from the Win98 cd.  BIOS update was successful... issue is still present. 6) Cried for an hour 7) Replaced memory in every which way and applied thermal grease to processor to cool more... nothing.   ANY HELP WOULD BE SOOOO APPRECIATED!   Matt

Collision · Answer

oh also I forgot to mention that I have 2 inspiron 8600's and I switched out the CDRW drive to check that as well.  All the above occurs with or without the hard drive in.

funtoupgrade · Answer

Was the computer guaranteed to work normally by eBay seller? If so, email them with problem and tell them you would like to send it back for a full refund.

Are you using the hard drive that came with it or a different one?

funtoupgrade

Collision · Answer

it is a new hard drive... but like I said... I have the problem with or without the hard drive.

Collision · Answer

Update:  I got into the diagnostics... but now I'm getting this:   exception occurred in module delldiag.exe file 'drvrsvga.cpp'. line 784!  Press any key to abort!

funtoupgrade · Answer

Sounds to me like the computer may be toast.  I'd work with seller to see if you can get your money back. funtoupgrade

Collision · Answer

Update:  I disabled EVERYTHING in the BIOS and now it's working.  Anyone have any ideas? Matt

insp1150_14CK56 · Answer

Sounds (Note it SOUNDS LIKE) a failing video card because of that 'drvrsvga.cpp'   notice the SVGA... Contact the seller, get your money back.

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