Windows Vista Not Loading

[jme]

I'm really hoping one of you superstar techies can help me with my issue  http://images.thetechguide.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\'\' /> It all started today when I turned on my laptop. Everything was fine until it came to loading windows. The "Dell" screen appeared (where you can hit f8 to go into safemode)but after that it just goes to a black screen. I've tried going into safe mode, but can't get in. I've tried booting with the Vista OS disk and having it repair, but it's not finding any issues. I've tried doing system restore, that didn't work either. I ran full diagnostics and it froze up on me after running apprx an hour. It passed all the initial diagnostics. The only thing that I did different was this was the first reboot after installing a Windows Update. I did notice after the install that my internet explorer kept crashing, not sure if that has anything to do with it, but may be worth mentioning. I'm running a Windows Vista 32 bit OS on a Dell Inspirion 1720. I really hope someone can help me figure this out, because I just don't know where to go from here. Thanks in advance for any help you may be able to offer. http://images.thetechguide.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\'\' />

[guestolo]

You didn't try the full Restore did you?
Are you willing to go that route?

Is there anything you have to save on this computer?

[jme]

No I haven't done the full restore. I do have stuff I'd like to save. It is partitioned, I have a C: D: and a Recovery drive. My OS is installed on the C. I am willing to do whatever you think is best to get it back and running.

[guestolo]

Do you have an empty CDRW disk or CD?
If so, can you do the following

Go to the following link
http://puppylinux.org/main/Download%20Latest%20Release.htm

Click on one of the links pertaining to lupu-511.iso
Save this file to your desktop
Note: it's 130mb in size, so if you have a slow connection, it will take some time

After downloading, can you burn that Image file to a blank cdrw or cd
Note: You must burn as an Image file, do you know how that is done?
What burning software do you have installed?

[jme]

Okay, I've got the disk burned...and ready to go.  http://images.thetechguide.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\'\' />

[guestolo]

insert the CD into the Computer that won't boot
Restart the computer, follow the prompts, the computer should boot to Puppy linux desktop
Let me know if you can get to that point

[jme]

Okay, I'm at the Puppy Linux desktop http://images.thetechguide.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\'\' />

[guestolo]

Do you have an external harddrive or USB flashdrive you can backup important files/folders too?
If so, insert into your computer
You should see a new drive recognized on the bottom left of the Puppy desktop
As eg.. sdb1

[jme]

Yes, got it plugged in and showing as sdc.

[guestolo]

Mostly everything you need to do will just involve single clicking
Open sdc1 by single clicking on it>>I assume that is your external USB drive, leave this window open

Hover over the bottom left drives, check to see which you have your files on
You can tell by the size of the disk when you hover over it
Your C: drive may be indicated by eg... sda1 or sda2
sda1 may be your recovery partition, look for your C: partition with all your files you want to backup

Let me know if you have access to those drives please

[jme]

Yes, I do have access to these drives http://images.thetechguide.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\'\' /> sda3 has my files.

[guestolo]

Navigate to the files/folders you would like to keep
When you find them
Drag them to the USB open window, you will be prompted to Copy/move, etc
Select COPY
Do this till you have everything you need saved, backed up

Let me know when that's done please

[jme]

Okay have my files copied to the external hard drive.

[guestolo]

You can then right click on the drives on the bottom left of Puppy
Then select Unmount all drives
Remove the USB drive

Try the drive in another computer to ensure the files/folders are intact
Afterwards, shutdown the computer and remove the Puppy CD
No need to save to file at the prompt

Time for a full restore
This should be the instructions for your Laptop

Remove any peripheals not needed by the laptop for the moment, eg... a local Printer
1 Turn on the computer.

2   As the computer starts, press <F8> on the keyboard until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears on the screen.
   Note:    
     You must press <F8> before the Windows logo appears on the screen. If you press <F8> after the Windows logo appears on the screen, the Advanced Boot Options menu will not appear on the screen. If you do not see the Advanced Boot Options menu, restart the computer, and then repeat this step until you see the menu on the screen.    

3    Press the <Down Arrow> on the keyboard to select Repair Your Computer on the Advanced Boot Options menu, and then press <Enter>.

4    Specify the language settings that you want, and then click Next.

5    Log in as a user who has administrative credentials, and then click OK.

6    Click Dell Factory Image Restore.

7    In the Dell Factory Image Restore window, click Next.

8    Click to select the Yes, reformat hard drive and restore system software to factory condition check box.

9    Click Next.
The computer is restored to the default factory configuration.

10    When the restore operation is completed, click Finish to restart the computer.

The software is now installed as it was when the computer was first received.

Let me know how that goes

[jme]

I'm unable to access the advanced boot options using f8. I have not been able to use the f8 mode since this has happened to my laptop.

[guestolo]

I've tried booting with the Vista OS disk

Since you have the disk(s)
Try the following
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?docid=339949

you can start at STEP 3

[jme]

Okay, now it's time to install drivers and utilites...but I'm unable to locate in what order what disks to intall first. I have three total, one black two blue. Do you think it would be easier to use the disks instead of downloading them?

[guestolo]

Sure, you can use the disks, update later if needed
or go right to Dell's site and ensure to get the latest
Type in your Service tag and Dell will find all your recent downloads
http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/

Note: That link I supplied gives priority order of what to install first

Code: [Select]

  1.Desktop System Software (DSS) or Notebook System Software (NSS) - A vital utility that provides critical updates and patches for the operating system. If you are reinstalling the operating system or updating all the computer’s drivers, it is imperative that this software be installed first. Currently, the DSS and NSS are not required for systems with Windows Vista installed. This is located under the System and Configuration Utilities Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.

   2. Chipset - Helps Windows control system board components and controllers. This is located under the Chipset Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.

   3. Video Adapter - Enhances video performance. This is located under the Video Adapter Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.

   4.Network Interface Card (NIC) - Enhances the network controller for Internet or network access. This is located under the Network Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.

   5. Audio Adapter - Enables and enhances the audio controller. This is located under the Audio Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.

   6. Modem - Allows dialup capability. This is located under the Communication Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.

   7. Wireless Network Card - Enables and enhances the wireless network controller. This is located under the Network Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.

   8. Touchpad, Pointer, Trackstick, Mice, and Keyboards - Enhances the pointing device features. This is located under the Mouse & Keyboards Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.

   9. Other Devices
          * Bluetooth® Module
            This is located under the Communication Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.
          * Dell Wireless Mobile Broadband Cards
            This is located under the Communication Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.
          * PCMCIA/Smartcard controller
            This is located under the Security Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.

You can download the latest drivers for the list above from the Dell Drivers and Downloads page.  It is recommended that you print this driver order list before starting the download process on the Dell Drivers and Downloads page.
Then ensure to get all the latest Windows Updates(High Priority Updates) and install your Security software
Eg... AntiVirus

[jme]

While trying to install the Dell driver for the 1390 WLAN MiniCard I'm am getting this error..."Update.cpp1072" has occurred and Setup cannot continue.  http://images.thetechguide.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\'\' />

[guestolo]

Are you sure you have the right driver?
Are you installing from CD or did you download it from Dell site?