Laptop - 'Operating system not found' message

Question

Right after the new year came in my laptop has a blank screen and it reads Operating System not found.  I have an Inspirion 2650 bought in 2003, and it just went passed the warrenty.  I call Dell support and went through the test of the dianostics.  Could not find the problem.  I was referred to the software department, but they want to charge over 200.00 for a year of service, but no assurance that that is the problem. I would hate to pay to have service on this, when it could be the hard drive crashing.  Can someone please help.   Is there somewhere to find the problem before paying for things that may not be wrong???  HELP?????

bacillus · Answer

is the hdd seen in bios? did they ask you to try the fixboot command in the recovery console?

ejn63 · Answer

First check the setup (F2) to see if the hard drive is recognized. If it isn't, reseat it. If it still isn't, it's dead - replace it (see below).

If the drive is recognized, locate the Dell Drivers and Utilities CD that came with the system and boot the system from it. Run an extended test of the hard drive. If it passes, you may have a software problem.

More likely, it will fail the test or not show up - in which case, you can buy any 2.5" 9.5 mm EIDE notebook drive to replace it.

You'll need your XP OS CD and your drivers CD, and whatever backups of your data you have.

Probability is very high you've simply got a faulty hard drive.

wesrangar · Answer

I will try the reseat it.  I assume it is remove the HDD from the bottom, and then replace it.  I am new to this, so do I need to be 'grounded', or any other preventive steps?   Thanks   Oh yeah it is a XP operating system.  And I will try to see if it rscogized it first, right (F2)?

wesrangar · Answer

Guys, you are right, No HDD is listed.... NONE.

But I can't find where the HDD is located. I see the battery compartment, and I just found the Memory compartment. Sorry to be so......: :smileyindifferent:

wesrangar · Answer

Thank you for the help.  I found it and the original instruction booklet.

ejn63 · Answer

Yes, but for the same price, you'll get a drive that's both quieter and quite a bit faster with this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822152501

wesrangar · Answer

Is this a replacement hard drive for my Insprion 2650?  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822146224

ejn63 · Answer

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins2600/en/sm_en/hdd.htm#999504

bobyjo · Answer

I had the same condition with our Inspiron 2650.
I ran a lot of diagnostics and found the hard drive to be bad.

www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822146046

I would suggest replacing it with the Hitachi 7K100 60gb hard drive.
I purchased the 5K100 40gb hard drive and installed it in our laptop.
This made the laptop almost twice as fast as it was.
After completing the research on these drives.
I wish I had purchased the 7K100, even though it was more expensive.

Message Edited by bobyjo on 01-04-2006 10:12 AM

wesrangar · Answer

thanks and I will.  WIll probably be back once I get the HDD.  Getting more step by step instu.

wesrangar · Answer

I just received the HDD you recommended above. Thansk for the help. Can you help walk me through installation. I noticed that the Dell housing need to be on the new unit. Is there some magic formula for this? Also I notice I only have a "Drivers, Utilities and Appilcations "Disk, and the "Operating System" Disk for re install. Can someone help on installing and which goes first and any other helpful things before I attempt this ....

my cell phone is 215 962 0335, if it is easier to call.

Thanks

bobyjo · Answer

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins2600/en/sm_en/index.htm   Here is a link to the Inspiron line of laptops. It contains pictures and instructions in order to replace the components of your laptop. After you get the new drive installed, the OS must be installed next.   After the OS is completely installed, then you can check with your device manager to see if you need to install any drivers. There will be yellow '?' marks or a 'red' X beside the component that is in need of attenction. If there are no marks anywhere, and all devices are operating as should. You do not need to install any drivers at all.   There are no drivers needed to use this hard drive, all you need is the OS install disk. You need this in order to install the OS (new install) in this new drive.   Be sure to pay attention to the adapter that goes between the hard drive pins and the motherboard socket. This adapter must be carefully removed from the old hard drive, then carefully installed on the new hard drive.     Message Edited by bobyjo on 01-10-2006 01:43 PM

Storage, Drives & Media

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