Trouble Reformatting 1 of 2 Dell XPS 410's

by ACC1389 Mar 4, 2008 11:44PM PST

I have 2 Dell XPS 410?s, one a 2.4ghtz and the other a 2.6ghtz. Both are dual core, Windows Vista Prem., 4 identical DVD+R/RW optical drives, floppy drives and identical software.

I don?t have any Raid stuff or dual partitions. My Bios configuration is identical on both of them as they have been for the last year. The default ?Raid On? is selected.

I alternate reformatting/clean install every 2 months since I got the machines just to keep in reformatting shape weather they need it or not. (This is what you do when your 70 yrs old with time on your hands).

I use the Dell Reinstallation dvd?s for both of them, first changing the Boot Sequence in Bios having ?On Board or USB CD Rom Drive? as #1 boot sequence as I always been doing.

Within the last 2 days I tried reformatting my 2.4 ghtz XPS 410 and was unsuccessful. After changing the Bios boot sequence I would get the ?Press any key to boot?. I then would get the black screen with ?Windows is loading files? at the bottom of the screen. After Windows is loading files is finished the screen goes black.

I also tried a full version of Vista Home Prem. with the same results.

Any suggestions
Thank you
Andrew

Discussion is locked

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Just experienced that.

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Mar 5, 2008 4:00AM PST

Fortunately I found something plugged into the USB ports. Unplugged all and now it's loading.

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Been there and done that .

by dhrwfan Mar 5, 2008 4:02AM PST

You probably have a failed start for an install...

Go here and make a floppy or CD and erase the hard drive to zeros and than boot to your XP CD and it will install Windows for you..

Been there and done that which you are experiencing.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/Maxtor_Powermax_d1386.html

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Boot to your Vista CD

by ACC1389 Mar 5, 2008 4:34AM PST

I'm going to try the site you sent me (Major Geeks). Just one thing to clear things up. You did mean "Boot to your Vista CD" rather than "Boot to your XP CD"?

Thank you

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So far I have yet to see a Vista CD.

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Mar 5, 2008 4:44AM PST

All have been DVDs.

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Yes.

by dhrwfan Mar 5, 2008 5:03AM PST

I meant Vista DVD.

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Vista DVD

by ACC1389 Mar 5, 2008 5:48AM PST

Thank you, I figured you meant that.

Thank you

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There will always be a first.

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Mar 5, 2008 7:37AM PST

Just waiting for someone to tell me they have it on 1.44M diskettes.

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Thank you Jimmy Carter

by ACC1389 Mar 5, 2008 8:55AM PST

I used the software you suggested, after going thru a little barbwire I figured it out and it really worked well. Formatted my drive and am now reinstalling Windows Vista.

Thanks again
Andrew

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diferent issue

by ekim177 Jul 7, 2009 5:00AM PDT

ok you said erase the hard drives to zero. can i use different software instead of the one you suggested. I have other software, plus windows xp. when i have tried just using the windows xp cd i get an error when the setup tried to start windows. any suggestions

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(NT) And that error is?

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jul 7, 2009 6:25AM PDT

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Quick Note

by cbunting99 Mar 7, 2008 1:30AM PST

I see you've found a solution to the issue. Just a quick note, if you decide to reformat your drive(s) again, You don't need to change anything in the bios. When your computer is starting up at the bios screen, just hit the F12 key, you can then boot from your HD or from USB or CDROM without changing the bios.

Chris

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Now I know

by ACC1389 Mar 7, 2008 2:20AM PST

I never used the F-12 at startup always used the F-2. I just tried the F-12 Boot Menu selected "OnBoard or USB CD Rom using my Vista reinstallation dvd and it worked like you said. Thank you Chris for this helpful tip.

Andrew

Trouble Reformatting 1 of 2 Dell XPS 410's

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