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Question

Problems after formatting hard disk

by May 18, 2016 2:25AM PDT

Hi,

After formatting the hard disk somehow I couldn't get pass the Dell logo screen. There might be some problems while formatting as I was away and didn't check the progress.

The condition now is that it enters the Dell logo screen and it shows the boot priority order screen (with blank background, not the blue grey one). And when I select hard disk from the list, it does not load and shows a screen with "check cable connection". And it would restart again from the Dell logo screen. The whole process repeats again and again no matter which boot order I choose.

Discussion is locked

8 Posts
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Answer
Re: problems after formatting hard disk
by Forum moderator May 18, 2016 2:46AM PDT

Nothing wrong. That happens if you format the partition you normally boot from (cHappy.
Now install the OS you want, for example Windows 10 or Linux Mint.

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Problems solved (?)
by KVKYKT May 18, 2016 4:16AM PDT

Thanks for your reply.

I forced restart the laptop and it seems that the previous formatting and windows installation were not completed.

However after the restart it was able to boot from the Windows installation dvd. I'm redoing the formatting now.

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couldn't complete formatting
by KVKYKT May 18, 2016 6:49AM PDT

Now I couldn't complete the formatting process. The format stops and returns to black screen when it reaches the installing features step Sad

Does anyone know how to solve this problem?

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Re: couldn't complete formatting
by Kees_B Forum moderator May 18, 2016 7:09AM PDT

See if your PC has disk diagnostics hidden under some function key at boot (F12 is quite common with Dell machines) and fully test the hard disk.
If no diagnostics available boot from a Linux disk or stick to have a diagnostic look at the disk or put it in an external enclosure and test in another Windows PC.

It's certainly less work to replace the disk by a new one without testing this one first. But it might be money spend for nothing.

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... need help
by KVKYKT May 18, 2016 9:09AM PDT

This time when the formatting reached the 'completing installation' step, the laptop restarted itself and the same problem appeared.

It shows the windows boot manager screen, stating that windows failed to start. The selected entry could not be loaded because the application is missing or corrupt.
File: windows\system32\winload.exe
And the second time it shows file: boot\memtest.exe

I restarted the laptop and it stucked at the windows logo screen for a while and shows setup is updating registry list and it shows the windows boot manager screen again.
What exactly is the problem? (TдT)

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Two things.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator May 18, 2016 9:14AM PDT

1. I never format the HDD before I install Windows. I leave the HDD blank with no partitions and let Windows prepare the HDD.

2. If that fails, I usually find the HDD has failed or there is some other hardware issue.

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Test
by Bob__B May 18, 2016 6:01PM PDT

Grab a copy of memtest86.
Put it on a disc.
Boot the disc.
Let it run for a few hours..... no errors allowed.

Grab a copy of seatools for dos.
Put it on a disc.
Boot the disc.
Test your hdd.

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Thanks
by KVKYKT May 19, 2016 9:53PM PDT

Thanks for all the solutions.

I have decided to send it to someone to repair it. Thanks anyway.

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