Hello

Did you ever get your laptop sorted, I have something the same with mine also though on my screen it says, 'updating  stages 3 0f 3' which never does get done, its been like this for some months now, but because I have a tower pc upstairs I dont bother with it, but today I felt like giving it another go, just to try to sell it, and I had taken out cover with Virgin Media to fix the problem for me, so happens they cant, so Im stuck trying to sort it now myself to which there is no hope, I dont know the first thing about that, Ive tried all sorts of restarts via Virgin Media, with no results, so Im wondering how did you get on?

Thanking you in anticipation.

Maureen

I haven't had my laptop sorted. In fact, I don't know much about laptops other than the basics. I purchased my laptop from Front Source Technologies which sells refurbished laptops thru Best Buy. When I turn the laptop on the "Dell" boot page comes up but then immediately goes to the Windows Boot Manager message. The page is stuck and won't budge. I can't get to the desktop page to access the start menu.

Sorry i'm not much help here..

Hi Allie73,

Thank you for reaching out to us. I see that in your first post you had mentioned that you ran the Dell diagnostics and got an error. Could you please let me know the error so we can see what it is and let you know accordingly?

Yes! The error code is 2000-0146 Hard drive fail. MSG: Unit 1 DST Log contains previous  error(s). The remainder of the diagnostic came back indicating that everything else passed. Thank you for your assistance.

 Allie73

Hi Allie,

Thank you for providing me the error code. The error indicates possible failure with Hard Drive or issue with the operating system. We need to run diagnostics on your Hard Drive to be sure as to what the issue is. I have pasted the details below to run Custom test on Hard Drive so you can check and let us know further.

1. Restart the computer.
   
   
2. As the computer boots, press when the Dell Splash Screen appears.
   
   
3. When the Boot menu appears, highlight the Boot to Utility Partition option, or the Diagnostics option and then press   to start the 32-bit Dell Diagnostics. 
4. Press the   key to highlight Test System Press   to continue to 32-bit Diagnostics
5. • Express Test will run a quick test of devices in the system. This typically can take 10-20 minutes.
   • Extended Test performs a thorough check of devices in the system. This typically can take an hour or more.
   • Custom Test used to test a specific device or customize the tests to be run. Exit to MS-DOS will exit the diagnostics to a command prompt.
   • Symptom Tree. This option lists the most common symptoms and allows you to select tests based on those symptoms.

     Please choose Custom test on Hard Drive and initiate the test. Please make a note of any errors and let us know to proceed further.

I have tried my eyestrings out on this one, I got it once to work, but cant get it again, I have tried all sorts of start ups, F8, F11, F12

The last one I did a full diagnostic test took ages reported nothing wrong found.

Help.Please..

Maureen

In f12 there are other choice ie:-

 Internal HDD

CD/DVD/DD-RW-RWDRIVE

Outbound NIC

BIOS Setup

Diagnostics

As Ive said I did the last one, with no joy, report came back that all was satisfactory, have you please got any further information I can follow, this is so annoying to say the least.

Thanking you Lordbless

Maureen

Hi. I ended up contacting Dell customer Technical Support. They have been working with me to find the source of the malfunction. They have been diligent and sincere about helping me get to the source of the problem and come up with a solution. They have asked me to run a complete diagnostic and sent me the instructions to perform the tests. I suggest that you contact Dell customer technical Support too & let them know what your computer is doing. I have found them to be more than willing to help. Good Luck!

Allie73

Hello. The laptop would only run the short and the extended mode. Both diagnostics came back with the same code as before.(2000-0146)keeps indicating some type of Hard Drive malfunction. Everything else came back with the tests results: Pass. At the end of the extended diagnostic it gave a message that stated" No diagnostic utility partition identified". Then told me to select "OK" to reboot system. I rebooted it and the system stated "Windows is loading files" then it returned back to the Windows Boot Manager. Was back at the failure message that I started with prior to contacting Dell. ( Status: Oxc00000e9 Info: An unexpected I/ O error has occurred.) Hope this helps. Thank you for all your assistance with my laptop.

Allie

I put up a reply post this morning to the diagnostics you asked me to perform. Sorry, I wasn't able to run the tests till now. If you having any trouble locating today's post please let me know.

Thanks,

Allie