Dell Inspiron fails to start Windows 7

[ancient11]

One of the grandchildren lost their temper and proceeded to throw the laptop down on the asphalt.

When you try to start it up "startup repair" comes up and it says "startup repair is checking your system for repairs and this little bar keeps going back and forth for the last hour. In the bottom left-hand side at the very bottom hidden from view is startupX/Windows/system 32 – and the rest I cannot remember but it is a command line prompt. I tried to enter chkdsk but it would not accept it.

I am completely lost, so il anyone has any suggestions I would really appreciate it.

[PrntRhd]

My guess is the notebook HDD is hosed.

[Paul Komski]

I agree that the HDD has probably been damaged. This can possibly be checked by downloading the hard drive maker's diagnostic utility on another PC and burning it to a bootable CD.

If there is data that needs to be saved then post back for some options to try. One possibility would be to try installing a second version of Windows in parallel with the current bad version but exactly what to suggest depends largely on how precious any data may be.

Otherwise you will need to buy a replacement hard drive and then reinstall Windows from scratch using the Dell DVD to do so.

[domdom]

Agree with Paul since i has a similar problem when my laptop fell down (don't ask me how that happened). The symptoms were pretty much the same...I wasn't lucky in terms of the hdd since i had to replace it. However i had a recent backup on my external drive :)

[ancient11]

It is now confirmed that the hard drive toast. I realize it is a simple matter to replace the hard drive but it is not so simple to replace the OS. The little lady never bothered to make a backup or anything else.

My guess is that it will cost another $200 just for the OS. Well it is not important to her for she doesn't have to pay for it– I do. I have bought 12 laptops for them.

[LochLomonder]

ancient,

It it was my grand-child, I'd tell them just to suck it up and face the consequences of their actions by not having a laptop anymore. It's obvious from her tantrum she has no regard for the consequences, and expects you to bail her out over this one.

Just my honest 2 cents.

[ancient11]

ancient,

It it was my grand-child, I'd tell them just to suck it up and face the consequences of their actions by not having a laptop anymore. It's obvious from her tantrum she has no regard for the consequences, and expects you to bail her out over this one.

Just my honest 2 cents.

A bit off topic but my two cents worth –

This is yet another example of children raising children without knowing how to be a parent. Looking around the neighborhood plus at my own grandchildren, the children today are having to raise their own selves. I can't understand my grandchildren, for I taught each and every one by correcting them. I would not just punish them, I would also explain why what they were doing was wrong. I would take as much time as was necessary and would never get angry or in any hurry.

Another thing that is wrong, is children's services and the school's telling the children to report their parents if they yell at them or whip them . I wonder if they are ignorant enough to think that just talking to them is always enough, thank goodness it does work a lot of the times but sometimes it takes more.



Written by Dragon NaturallySpeaking

[LochLomonder]

ancient,

I hear you, and I hope you don't think I'm being patronising when I write this, but you certainly strike me as a responsible parent and grand-parent who "gets it". That's why I think it might be best for you to let your grand-child stew in her own juices over this issue. Of course, that's only my opinion and its yours which counts first and foremost.

[YODA74]

Hmm not here to raise someone else's children that's your problem... here to fix problems (not my brothers keeper) . I would follow Pauls suggestion and get my info that I need off and go from there....

[ancient11]

ancient,

I hear you, and I hope you don't think I'm being patronising when I write this, but you certainly strike me as a responsible parent and grand-parent who "gets it". That's why I think it might be best for you to let your grand-child stew in her own juices over this issue. Of course, that's only my opinion and its yours which counts first and foremost.

Under most circumstances I would agree but in this instance I am sort of over a barrel. I am also paying for her vehicle, insurance and schooling. I would hate for her to have the excuse of saying "I would not have failed that subject if my laptop had been working". I ran into that with one of the great-grandchildren.

It is things like this that is causing me to take three months gathering the parts for my computer. I shouldn't complain because I am blessed with some real good grandkids and great grandkids. There is always a few bad apples in every group – smile.

[ancient11]

Hmm not here to raise someone else's children that's your problem... here to fix problems (not my brothers keeper) . I would follow Pauls suggestion and get my info that I need off and go from there....

Excuse me, when did I ask you to raise my children, grandchildren or great grandchildren or even ask you for advice about them ??????????????????????
I definitely don't need any help there. I am mature enough to raise my own and take the responsibility associated with it.

As far as the info goes – I have already ordered a hard drive and Windows 7 professional. I think that pretty much takes care of things for now, we will have to see about the installation later, when they arrive.
Thank you

[LochLomonder]

ancient,

I believe YODA may have been referring to my comments, not yours. I apologise for opening the door to this misunderstanding.

[mjc]

Actually, I would have saved myself a bundle of dough and just got a replacement hard drive...then dropped some flavor of Linux on it (like one of the versions of Ubuntu).

Now that you do have a full version, keep track of the key, don't entrust it to you grandchild...that way, when the inevitable happens again, you'll be able to reinstall with no problems.

[ancient11]

Actually, I would have saved myself a bundle of dough and just got a replacement hard drive...then dropped some flavor of Linux on it (like one of the versions of Ubuntu).

Now that you do have a full version, keep track of the key, don't entrust it to you grandchild...that way, when the inevitable happens again, you'll be able to reinstall with no problems.

Sadly the school uses certain program and those program are only compatible with Windows, so she does have to have Windows in order to use their material.

I just picked up a hard drive (OCZ Technology 120 GB RevoDrive Series PCI-Express x4 ) that I am going to put in my new computer and it is just for Ubuntu. I am not familiar with all the new fangled technology but it should do the job. I am slowly gathering everything togather. I can't believe there is not one Pata connection on that board. Have to buy all new DVD's with Sata connections.

Don't worry – smile, I won't allow her to even view that CD or the key.



ancient,

I believe YODA may have been referring to my comments, not yours. I apologise for opening the door to this misunderstanding.

LochLomonder
You have done nothing to apologize for except try to help me, for which I am very, very grateful. In fact, I would like to thank everyone that has contributed to this thread.
Thank you so much
ancient

[LochLomonder]

ancient,

Thank you for being gracious, and I'm glad to help whenever I can. I'll just keep to the facts next time so there are no diversions :)

[Paul Komski]

My guess is that it will cost another $200 just for the OS.

The OS key should be on a sticker on the Dell somewhere. If you cant find the original Windows installation DVD (that should have shipped with the system) then you could try any Windows 7 DVD that you can lay your hands on and use the product key on the laptop without incurring any extra cost. The Dell DVD is preferable since you should not have to activate the installation and it should include any necessary drivers.

[ancient11]

The OS key should be on a sticker on the Dell somewhere. If you cant find the original Windows installation DVD (that should have shipped with the system) then you could try any Windows 7 DVD that you can lay your hands on and use the product key on the laptop without incurring any extra cost. The Dell DVD is preferable since you should not have to activate the installation and it should include any necessary drivers.

Paul
In the good old days computer manufacturers shipped restore disks , and put stickers. However, they no longer do that. It is now up to the purchaser to make their own restore disks the first day of purchase They wish to cut costs, plus their workforce and this is leading many people to building their own computers. This was one of the major reasons that I am now gathering a few new parts each month to build my last computer. No computer disk came with this computer and no OS sticker either.

[Paul Komski]

Maybe things changed with Dell and Win7 because I have never had my hands on a Win7 Dell but up to and including Vista I have never seen a Dell in the past decade or more that didn't ship with a Windows installation CD/DVD and I find it most surprising if there was not a product sticker on the bottom of the Laptop - that is unless it has been removed/rubbed-off.

PS Unlikely but only other thought is that this was an upgrade to Win7 and other OS was pre-installed on purchase; but even then there should still be a product sticker on the Laptop and another one on the upgrade DVD packaging. If something non-standard has happened then contact Dell (eg Dell Product Support (http://support.dell.com/support/DPP/Index.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=bsd)) and quote the Service Tag on the bottom of the Laptop.

[ancient11]

Maybe things changed with Dell and Win7 because I have never had my hands on a Win7 Dell but up to and including Vista I have never seen a Dell in the past decade or more that didn't ship with a Windows installation CD/DVD and I find it most surprising if there was not a product sticker on the bottom of the Laptop - that is unless it has been removed/rubbed-off.

PS Unlikely but only other thought is that this was an upgrade to Win7 and other OS was pre-installed on purchase; but even then there should still be a product sticker on the Laptop and another one on the upgrade DVD packaging. If something non-standard has happened then contact Dell (eg Dell Product Support (http://support.dell.com/support/DPP/Index.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=bsd)) and quote the Service Tag on the bottom of the Laptop.

Paul
I went to apologize for the length of this post, but I feel it is necessary in order to fully understand why.
I did not just go out and buy a bunch of laptops, I matched the purchases with the habit's of the person I was giving it to. The ones that take care of the things they have, I bought the best I could find in both transportation and support materials – such as computers. The one's that don't take care of the things they have – well, I bought the cheapest I could find. I found a place that sold Dell laptops at a discounted price (this was not a Dell store), but it was much cheaper than Dell's store. I received them in good working order, but there was nothing with them and they only had a 90 day in house warranty but they did have a service tag on the bottom. I thought you meant a serial number for the OS. (Sorry about that) The ones I got from the Mac store had full documentation and a back up disk, although I did have to have Windows put on them as dual-boot.

She will now have an electronic drive instead of platters, hopefully, it may help somewhat. Although I do not hold out much hope unless she learns better habits. Everything is already ordered and on its way.

[Paul Komski]

I found a place that sold Dell laptops at a discounted price
Say no more. I did mean the 25 digits found on a COA sticker but the Service Tag would allow Dell to ship you whatever would be necessary.

I had a feeling this had to be something other than a direct Dell purchase.

[michelsmith]

Hi,

Startup Repair resides on the ‘System Recovery Options’ menu. It is a Windows recovery tool which helps to resolve the problems of missing or damaged system files. These damaged files prevent the Windows to start correctly. Startup Repair cannot solve hardware failures, such as a failing hard disk or incompatible memory. When you run the Start up repair tool, it scans the entire system and helps to start the system correctly.