[Lachako]

I've tried changing the boot order so CD drive boots first with the XP cd but it's not working. The cd drive makes some noises but then it just goes through the motions and ends up aksing do I want to run in safe mode etc. and then goes to blue error screen.

I've tried holding down R at various stages but I can't get to the repair mode.

I've followed all the instructions but with no luck. Where do I go from here?

It's a Dell Vostro 1000 (a few years old)

[riclad]

You have to get a windows cd to boot to acess r mode, can you acess bios mode, if you can use a pc,or go to netcafe ,bring cdr,
Download iso image ,
see http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=92
32bit cd version 620meg.image file.
there has to be image burning software on the pc,browse to image file,burn image file ,iso file.
http://www.imgburn.com/index.php?act=download
then boot from mint cd, you can backup,or copy any file to a usb drive, if theres about 6gig empty space you can click,install mint shortcut,install mint.
can you borrow another windows cd, try and boot it up,
some laptops ,have option,at startup, press f12, boot order,
select boot from cdrom,dvd .
CAN YOU acess bios mode,boot options,order, screen?

windows cd wont boot if its scratched or damaged.

[riclad]

there maybe a restore mode ,that,ll reinstall windows from the hardrive,
but that,ll delete all your files,documents,and format drive c.
ill post back here later.
if you just use it for,music, internet acess ,mint is a perfectly usable os,that does all that ok,you can download ,browsers,apps, music players etc firefox,chrome,etc

[riclad]

http://www.ntfs.com/boot-disk.htm
above a windows livecd, boots a mini windows os,from cd.you need acess to a pc with 1cdr, cdrw drive to make the bootable cd.
press f8 ,before windows,logo appears, go to advanced boot menu, select
boot from cd.
try booting from windows cdrom, try to reinstal windows,,use existing format option,DO NOT FORMAT THE HARDISK.
USE existing file partition drive c .


ACTIVE BOOT disk allows you acess to all files on drive c,in order
to backup to an external usb drive.
it use standard windows driver files.

repair process below, this DELETES all data,formats,drive, you lose ALL
YOUR DOCUMENTS,files,it reinstall windows to hardrive.

on computer restart press <F8> until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears on the screen.

NOTE: You must press the <F8> key 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.
Press <Down Arrow> to select Repair Your Computer on the Advanced Boot Options menu, and then press <Enter>.

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

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

Click Dell Factory Image Restore.

In the Dell Factory Image Restore window, click Next.

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

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

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

Using the Operating System Media

Before You Begin

If you are considering reinstalling the Windows operating system to correct a problem with a newly installed driver, first try using Windows Device Driver Rollback (see Using Windows Device Driver Rollback). If Device Driver Rollback does not resolve the problem, then use System Restore to return your operating system to the operating state it was in before you installed the new device driver (see Using Microsoft Windows System Restore).

NOTICE: Before performing the installation, back up all data files on your primary hard drive. For conventional hard drive configurations, the primary hard drive is the first drive detected by the computer.
To reinstall Windows, you need the following items:

Dell Operating System media

Dell Drivers and Utilities media

NOTE: Your Drivers and Utilities media contains drivers that were installed during assembly of the computer. Use your Drivers and Utilities media to load any required drivers, including the drivers required if your computer has a RAID controller.
Reinstalling Windows Vista

The reinstallation process can take 1 to 2 hours to complete. After you reinstall the operating system, you must also reinstall the device drivers, virus protection program, and other software.

NOTICE: The Operating System media provides options for reinstalling Windows. The options can overwrite files and possibly affect programs that are installed on your hard drive. Therefore, do not reinstall Windows unless a Dell technical support representative instructs you to do so.
Save and close any open files and exit any open programs.

Insert the Operating System media.

Click Exit if the Install Windows message appears.

Restart the computer.

When the DELL logo appears, press <F12> immediately.

NOTE: If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft Windows desktop, then shut down your computer and try again.
NOTE: The next steps change the boot sequence for one time only. On the next start-up, the computer boots according to the devices specified in the system setup program.
When the boot device list appears, highlight CD/DVD/CD-RW Drive, and then press <Enter>.

Press any key to Boot from CD-ROM.

Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation.

NOTE: You cannot reinstall Dell MediaDirect if you voluntarily reformat the hard drive. You need the installation software to reinstall Dell MediaDirect. our operating system and preserving data files.

Dell PC Restore by Symantec returns your hard drive to the operating state it was in when you purchased the computer. It permanently deletes all data on the hard drive and removes any programs installed after you received the computer. Use Dell PC Restore only if System Restore did not resolve your operating system problem.

If you received an Operating System disc with your computer, you can use it to restore your operating system. However, using the Operating System disc also deletes all data on the hard drive. Use the disc only if System Restore did not resolve your operating system problem.


Using Dell™ PC Restore

NOTICE: Using Dell PC Restore permanently deletes all data on the hard drive and removes any programs or drivers installed after you received your computer. If possible, back up the data before using these options. Use PC Restore only if System Restore did not resolve your operating system problem.
NOTE: Dell PC Restore by Symantec may not be available in certain countries or on certain computers.
Use Dell PC Restore only as the last method to restore your operating system. These options restore your hard drive to the operating state it was in when you purchased the computer. Any programs or files added since you received your computer—including data files—are permanently deleted from the hard drive. Data files include documents, spreadsheets, e-mail messages, digital photos, music files, and so on. If possible, back up all data before using PC Restore.

To use PC Restore:

Turn on the computer.

During the boot process, a blue bar with www.dell.com appears at the top of the screen.

Immediately upon seeing the blue bar, press <Ctrl><F11>.

If you do not press <Ctrl><F11> in time, let the computer finish booting (starting), and then restart the computer again.

NOTICE: If you do not want to proceed with PC Restore, click Reboot.
Click Restore and click Confirm.

The restore process takes approximately 6 to 10 minutes to complete.

When prompted, click Finish to reboot the computer.

NOTE: Do not manually shut down the computer. Click Finish and let the computer completely reboot.
When prompted, click Yes.

The computer restarts. Because the computer is restored to its original operating state, the screens that appear, such as the End User License Agreement, are the same ones that appeared the first time the computer was turned on.

Click Next.

The System Restore screen appears and the computer restarts.

After the computer restarts, click OK.

To remove PC Restore from the hard drive:




Click Finish to close the PC Restore Removal window and restart the computer.

Using the Operating System Media

Before You Begin

If you are considering reinstalling the Windows operating system to correct a problem with a newly installed driver, first try using Windows Device Driver Rollback (see Using Windows Device Driver Rollback). If Device Driver Rollback does not resolve the problem, then use System Restore to return your operating system to the operating state it was in before you installed the new device driver (see Using Microsoft Windows System Restore).

NOTICE: Before performing the installation, back up all data files on your primary hard drive. For conventional hard drive configurations, the primary hard drive is the first drive detected by the computer.
To reinstall Windows, you need the following items:

Dell Operating System media

Dell Drivers and Utilities media

NOTE: Your Drivers and Utilities media contains drivers that were installed during assembly of the computer. Use your Drivers and Utilities media to load any required drivers, including the drivers required if your computer has a RAID controller.
Reinstalling Windows XP

The reinstallation process can take 1 to 2 hours to complete. After you reinstall the operating system, you must also reinstall the device drivers, virus protection program, and other software.

NOTICE: The Operating System media provides options for reinstalling Windows. The options can overwrite files and possibly affect programs that are installed on your hard drive. Therefore, do not reinstall Windows unless a Dell technical support representative instructs you to do so.
Save and close any open files and exit any open programs.

Insert the Operating System media.

Click Exit if the Install Windows message appears.

Restart the computer.

When the DELL logo appears, press <F12> immediately.

NOTE: If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft Windows desktop, then shut down your computer and try again.
NOTE: The next steps change the boot sequence for one time only. On the next start-up, the computer boots according to the devices specified in the system setup program.
When the boot device list appears, highlight CD/DVD/CD-RW Drive, and then press <Enter>.

Press any key to Boot from CD-ROM.

Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation.

[riclad]

Press f12 when dell logo appears, this should you to boot mode, select cd boot, insert windows cdrom, .press any key,windows cd should bootup.
you can just reinstall, use existing disdk format.
do not format disk.

[Lachako]

I have hit F12, slected boot from CD and it does nothing just runs through and gives th eoption of safe mode etc. and then ends up at blue error screen.

I can't see Mint being an option as even if I burn it, I can't seem to boot the laptop from the CD drive so how would I install it.

Is there anyway to backup all the file son my hard drive?

[riclad]

when dell logo appears hit f12 immediatly,does the boot menu appear.either the wixp disc damaged, or lens need cleaning,go to 2 euro shop,
they sell dvd/cd lens cleaner 2euro clean the lens ,takes 5 mins.
WHEN boot menu appears,select boot cd,press enter ,any key cd should boot ,

does the cd acess light come on,ie that means its trying to read cd,?

its no harm to clean the lens, has the cdrom winxp got scrathes on it.
smyths toy stores have service ,fix game dvds scrathed discs 5 euro.
I suppose you could get windows cd fixed there ,if its just minor scrathes .

[riclad]

its more likely winxp disc dodgey, then all of a sudden cd drive not working, maybe cdrive lens needs cleaning,cant read disc to boot up windows.

[riclad]

i had cases where i had 2 windows cd, 1 disk doesnt boot in pc1, boots ok, in pc2, even though disc is not scratched.
when i,m fixing a pc ,i may need to use 1of 3 cds ,to find 1 that boots up to windows setup.
its likely lens is dirty,or cd is damaged, can u try it in a friends pc,to check does it boot up?
did you use the cdrive recently to play music,etc

[Lachako]

The WinXP CD came straight out of it's packaging for the first time yesterday, I'd stored it away from when I'd purchased the laptop so I don't think it can be damaged, it has no visible scratches anyway.

I had used the CD drive recently to play music and it worked fine. I'll try the disk in another PC and hopefully that should clarify the CD drive mystery. Here's hoping it's just a dirty CD lense.

Cheers Riclad

[Lachako]

Oh and when I go into boot menu and boot from CD or make the CD drive the first drive for the laptop to boot from, the light on the CD drive does go on and the CD drive does make noise, but then it stops and then the computer just tries booting normally and ends up at the blue error screen.

[Lachako]

The WinXP CD works fine in another computer so I'm guessing it must be a dirty lense in my laptop.

I'm off to the €2 shop with my fingers crossed!

[riclad]

TAKE YOUR time, clean lens, use A tiny drop of cleaning fluid,on the cd cleaning brush,clean it,open cddrawer, leave open for 7 minutes,
you may need to clean it 2 or 3 times,
2euro shops,dealz, various hardware stores, sell cd/dvd cleaning kits.
if u use too much you,ll damage the drive.
there may be dust inside the drive,have a look ,can you see the lens,mechanism.

IF IT works,you have the option, load,cd,click setup,

CHOOSE R repair option,
see my previous post.
theres also live cds,eg ebcd, ultimate boot disk, that allow you acess to
dos mode,if you need to free up some space.
or examine the files on drive c:\
it might take 2o mins to clean the lens,take it slow.


you may need to close windows, turn on heat in the room,
the drive needs time to evaporate the cleaning fluid ,off the lens, use a tiny amount,
THATS important,leave the cdrive tray open for drying purposes.


post back here if you need more advice.

[riclad]

you could simply take the hardrive out put it in a sata caddy ,cost 20 e,
connect to pc backup files to an external drive, or burn data to cdr,or dvdr.
i,m assuming laptop is less than 7 years old,older models used ide 2.5inch drives
google sata interface image to check be4 you buy a caddy.

[Lachako]

Can't get the CD drive to run either XP CD or disk cleaner, CD drive just makes noise for a few seconds and then stops and laptop offers safe mode options before continuing to error blue screen.

I think I'll just have to bite the bullet and seek professional help in a shop. I just want to get the laptop up and running again and safeguard my documents on the hard drive. Any recommendations where I can get good honest and cheap help in Dublin city?