Can't boot up my Operating System on Inspiron 1100

Question

I seem to have been struck by a virus. Came back to my screen after a couple of hours on ADSL and it was black with messages that Windows did not start successfully or was automatically shutdown....                I have options to start in Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking, Safe Mode with Command Prompt, Last Known Good Configuration, or Start Windows Normally.                None of these options works. But I was able to run Diagnostics which detected an 'unrecoverable error'.

ejn63 · Answer

The drive is failing. REmove it, replace with a new one, reload and patch XP, and mount the drive in an external, 2.5' drive case and attach that to a powered USB 2 hub. Copy what you can, and then recycle the drive.

MrMooo · Answer

I've just browsed the Dell websites and see that a new 40Gb HDD is available for Inspiron 1100 in USA but there don't seem to be any on the Australian website. Can you please advise where I can buy one in Australia please - I am in Sydney.

MrMooo · Answer

Thanks. I'll give that a try. Hope I don't lose anything because it wasn't backed up!

ejn63 · Answer

Just about any competent computer retailer will have a standard EIDE notebook drive.

MrMooo · Answer

Ok, thanks, so they will be compatible.

mariecwayne · Answer

Dell support can show you how to restore your system, i just did it today, i had the same screen you had, i thought i blew my hard drive, you have to hold down the ctrl key and press start the same time. after a few trys, i got the system restore screen. call dell support and ask for a level two tech,

MrMooo · Answer

Thanks Marie - I got it fixed finally but had to take it to a specialist for $200. Our files were still there but it needed a better external case to do the transfer. Old HDD is now kaput! Thanks for the tip anyway!

Storage, Drives & Media

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