Dell Laptop Problems

[steelroe]

Sister has a problem with her Dell Laptop. Will start but will not booot up windows. I took a look this evening and from what I can see the harddrive has had it. She wanted me to backup her dataand try a fresh install. I tried a repair using the XP cd, but it does not recognise any previously installed versions of windows. Also the light for harddrive activity is of all the time.
I then tried a complpete new install and same thing.
How can I test the harddrive?

Also whe windows tries to boot I somtimes get the follwing.

Window cannot boot because the following file is missing or corrupt
\windows\system32\config\system

Any help or points are appreciated but I think it is a lost cause

[gfalls]

You've self diagnosed there. The HDD is fecked...

[Dilogoat86]

Hard Drive has probably had it, but if you can take it out and hook it up to another machine you can see if the boot.ini file has just been corrupted. If the other machine can see the files then it's that. If that happens then you can copy the files off yourself and then manually format it in through your other windows. If you don't have a free slot if you don't want to go about messing with it I can take a look at the drive for you. I'll also source you a new harddrive if it is broken.

[steelroe]

normally a repir with the XP cd will fix a boot.ini problem I think the disk is dead, seems to be no activity at all from it.

[Dilogoat86]

It won't fix it if the MBR is corrupt too. Most likely a dead disk though.

[gfalls]

Try fixing the MBR, if you've got the time to waste..!

Boot from the windows XP CD, press the "R" key in the setup in order to start the restoration console. Select your windows XP installation from the list, and enter the administrator password, if needed.
Enter the command: "FIXMBR" (without the quotes) at the input prompt and confirm the next question with a "Y" (without the quotes). Use exit to restore the computer.

[steelroe]

Try fixing the MBR, if you've got the time to waste..!

Boot from the windows XP CD, press the "R" key in the setup in order to start the restoration console. Select your windows XP installation from the list, and enter the administrator password, if needed.
Enter the command: "FIXMBR" (without the quotes) at the input prompt and confirm the next question with a "Y" (without the quotes). Use exit to restore the computer.

I tried the repair with the XP CD but problem is it cannot locate any XP installation so I cannot proceed any further with the repair. Think I am flogging a dead horse.
So I need a hardrive for a Dell Inspiron 630m if anyone has one.

[Dilogoat86]

How big do you want? Your laptop takes an IDE harddrive and they are more expensive now than before cos SATA is king. Backordered from my supplier til the 19th of March. I can have a look around a few other places for you if you want.

[EDIT] Found a supplier. 80GB €45, 120GB €56, 250GB €76, €320GB €88. Prices are inc VAT but not inc delivery. Delivery is €12.60. I'll supply and fit one and reinstall windows and the whole lot for HDD price + delivery and your FTO . That or throw a crate of beer my way.

[EDIT 2] Also, I can go for an e-bay one. They'll be a bit cheaper but no guarantee on delivery length. However, it could be the same length.

[gfalls]

How big do you want? Your laptop takes an IDE harddrive and they are more expensive now than before cos SATA is king. Backordered from my supplier til the 19th of March. I can have a look around a few other places for you if you want.

[EDIT] Found a supplier. 80GB €45, 120GB €56, 250GB €76, €320GB €88. Prices are inc VAT but not inc delivery. Delivery is €12.60. I'll supply and fit one and reinstall windows and the whole lot for HDD price + delivery and your FTO . That or throw a crate of beer my way.

[EDIT 2] Also, I can go for an e-bay one. They'll be a bit cheaper but no guarantee on delivery length. However, it could be the same length.

Is this your supplier? http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=338761

[Dilogoat86]

Nope.

[Dilogoat86]

Nope.

Most of the time yes, but unfortunately they're not great on IDE stuff.

Oops...double post. Meant to edit not quote

[gfalls]

I agree, IDE is becoming a bit of a dinosaur lately..!