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julieannevanzyl
10 Posts
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283740
January 2nd, 2011 15:00
Cannot boot Inspiron Notebook Msg "Operating System Not Found"
Hello,
My 2 year old Inspiron Mini 9910, with Windows XP operating system cannot find the Operating System.
When I start the computer, it goes through some of boot up sequence, then displays the message ""Operating System Not Found".
I suspect the problem may be caused by a Malware infection, which I thought I had deleted. The notebook was working fine for several days after I removed the infection. I'm sorry I didn't write down what the infection was - this occurred a few weeks ago, before Christmas, and I was away on holidays when the notebook stopped working.
I have the Operating System and Drivers and Utilities CDs that came with the new Notebook.
However, I do NOT have a portable CD/DVD drive, so cannot use these disks.
I copied the Operating System disk files to a USB device and changed the "Boot up Sequence" to look at the USB device first.
However, the Notebook cannot find the Operating system on the USB device, and gives the same error ""Operating System Not Found"
How do I copy the operating system from the CD to the USB device, so the Notebook recognises the operating system?
Thanks in advance for any assistance.
Have a great day! Julieanne
julieannevanzyl
10 Posts
3644
0
Posted January 3rd, 2011 16:00
Thanks for your response. I can't get it to do a factory restore, so I'll look for a USB CD drive
julieannevanzyl
10 Posts
3646
0
Posted January 3rd, 2011 16:00
I just tried again - the mini 910 doesn't have a F11 key, so I've been trying all different combinations.
I tried pressing down Shift Ctrl + and the Windows key. This is what's displayed on the screen:
For Realtek RTL8101E/8102E PCI-E Ethernet Controller v1.08 (080408)
PXE-E61: Media test failure, check cable
PXE-M0F: Exiting PXE ROM.
Operating system not found.
Does that give you any more clues about what could be wrong, or what I can do?
Also, when I press 0 then 2 at boot up, and select "Diagnostics", nothing happens. Are there any diagnostic utilities on the MIni 910?
Thanks again, Julieanne
julieannevanzyl
10 Posts
3646
0
Posted January 3rd, 2011 19:00
When you refer to Solid State drive, do you mean the Hard Drive?
The Main tab on the setup utility displays:
Fixed HDD: STEC PATA 16GB-(PM)
Does that mean the BIOS sees the Solid State Drive (Hard Drive Disk), if it's displayed?
Thanks again! Julieanne
julieannevanzyl
10 Posts
3646
0
Posted February 12th, 2011 20:00
Hello, I haven't fixed it yet. I purchased a USB CD player, and tried to boot up using the operating system on the CDs that came with the mini computer.
It looks like I'll have to buy a new Hard Disk because the computer still won't boot.
Hello, I haven't fixed it yet. I purchased a USB CD player, and tried to boot up using the operating system on the CDs that came with the mini computer.
It looks like I'll have to buy a new Hard Disk because the computer still won't boot.
Buying a new Hard Disk is going to be useless unless you can boot the Windows install CD from that USB CD drive to install Windows on the new hard drive.
julieannevanzyl
10 Posts
1589
0
Posted February 13th, 2011 20:00
Update, I made some changes in the BIOS, and the Set up process started from the USB CD drive.
However, the process stopped, and the screen now displays the following:
Set up did not find any hard disk drives installed on your computer.
Make sure any hard disk drives are powered on and properly connected to your computer........
Set up cannot continue...
---------------------------
Does that mean I need a New Hard Disk Drive?
ieee488
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11126 Posts
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38371 Points
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Posted January 2nd, 2011 16:00
Julieanne,
You should try to see if you can do a Factory Restore. Ctrl+F11 keys at boot-up. This will put your computer back to the condition it was when you received it from Dell. This will mean all your files will be gone.
You cannot install XP from a USB stick. You will need to find a USB CD drive, if the Factory Restore option does not work for you.