Dell latitude CPx Notebook problem

[mikehende]

This notebook came with W2K but would not allow me to load XP from the cd-rom so I installed XP from within windows then found out that it did not wipe out w2k, I attempted to run the XP cd from an external rom and it went about starting to install XP but kept freezing repeatedly until now I am getting a BSOD telling me to check the hard drive for errors or check for viruses.

It won't go to w2k in safe mode. I don't need to save anything on the drive and Kept reformatting since this morning but the freezing is what's preventing me from doing anything, tried a UBCD but it freezes before it could load. Funny thing is when loading XP it does not show that win2k is on the system. I am trying to see if there is a chkdsk utility I can run from, what's the best fix for me to run a chkdsk or any other repair please?

[jlreich]

If you're not having any problems booting from the XP CD go into the recovery console and you can run CHKDSK from there. You can also format from there if you want. Or browse the drive to see what's on it first.

If you are having trouble booting a known good UBCD it sounds like the system may have other problems. Try removing the hard drive and see if the UBCD can boot.

Try booting a Knoppix CD. If that has problems then there are other hardware issues you need to straighten out.

[mikehende]

Thanks, I am trying to get into the recovery console. I am getting it to boot from cd with both knoppix and UBCD but the problem is always the "freezing" when I try to run a utility. The system also shuts down when reformatting is under way. Another thing I don't understand is why win2k in not showing up when I attempt to load XP?

[jlreich]

Another thing I don't understand is why win2k in not showing up when I attempt to load XP?
Didn't you say you have tried formatting several times this morning? If so it probably got far enough to delete 2K.

Does Knoppix run OK? Then only freezing when you try to access the HDD? Same with other utility disks? If so it's sounds like a bad drive.

Another thing, are you certain it is freezing? Sometimes when I have had bad drives diagnostic utilities will appear to freeze but if I wait (sometimes 10-20 min) they eventually come around and tell me the drive can not be accessed because of too many errors on the disk.

EDIT - BTW, Have you tried running the Dell diagnostics on it? That would be a very good idea. That should tell you real quick if the drive is bad or not. You can download them and burn them on CD if you don't have the disk.

[mikehende]

Don't think so, even after all of those attempts to reformat, it never showed win2k as the OS but after POST, the option was always there to choose win2k and when I last chose it, it loaded all the way to the Desktop.

Knoppix loads ok but again when I run a utility, it shows down the pc, same with UBCD.

I am not 100% sure it's freezing, it just stops at certain points and doesn't seem to be going any further so I manually shut down.

Shoot, I had completely forgotten about Dell Diagnostics and had used them just last week, thank you very much for the help, I got really fedup having been at this since this morning and I have just switched the HDD to another identical pc, it's loading XP right now, if all goes well, I will post back here, if not, I will run the dell diagnostics, will let you know what happens either way.

[jlreich]

My money is on the drive being bad. ;) But you never know...

[mikehende]

The HDD works on this system 123 and the dell diagnostics HDD test "passed".

[jlreich]

I guess I would have lost my money. :p

Did you put the drive back in the problem machine to see if XP will boot?

[mikehende]

Yes I did and all works fine.

[jlreich]

Cool. :cool: Who knows maybe the drive contacts were getting oxidized and when you took it out it helped clean the contacts. Comptuers...

[mikehende]

well, not over yet, just restarted a few times to test and the system hangs on the windows logo sometimes, remember that I mentioned a freezing problem before? So I moved the HDD back to the other notebook that works fine except I am having that battery icon problem, will contact dell in a few for help.

[jlreich]

If it works fine in the other machine something else is definitely wrong. I would check the ram. Swap with the other machine and see how it goes. Have you tried running Memtest? Or the Dell diagnostics on the problem machine?

If it isn't the ram it sounds like either the CPU or mobo is going bad. More likely the mobo.

I would also try booting Knoppix with the hard drive removed from the system. If there are two sticks of ram you can try one at a time.

You can try using the power adapter from the other system.

Having two identical machines does help with troubleshooting. Swap anything you feel up to swapping. After eliminating other components I would even swap the CPU if you are up to opening up the laptop.

[mikehende]

Been through the deal with Dell, they suggest replacing the Mobo.

[jlreich]

Sounds like a plan.

BTW, what is the a price for a replacement mobo? It has to be expensive. :eek:

[mikehende]

don't know and didn't bother to find out, this is a p3, doesn't make sense to spend a couple hundred dollars for a replacement mobo.

[jlreich]

I don't blame you. I probably would have been a couple hundred. Dell parts are expensive.