Help Please Dell Vostro 1000

Redzer7

HI, I went to boot up my Dell Vostro 1000 today but it wouldn't start proper here is the
message that comes up,
PXE- E61: Media test failure, check cable
PXE-M0F: Exiting Broadcom PXE ROM.
Operating System not found
I rang Dell and they said to try a new hard drive which i did but still the same message.
Does anyone know what the problem is or where to get this problem fixed?
Thanks.

majiktripp

When the computer is starting (ie. the Dell Logo is up on screen), pres F12 to enter the boot device menu. Select the Hard Drive from that list. It seems to be trying to boot from the Laptops network card.
If the hard drive is working ok, it should boot. If this works, restart the computer and go into the bios (press F2) at the Dell logo. Modify the boot order and put the internal Hard drive at the top of the list.

Redzer7

Mate I tried everything you said but the new message reads
Operating System not found
and i know its not my hdd as i tried another one with no luck.
Maybe it's just a loose connection? Anyone know where to get it fixed?
Thanks for the help.

DevilsBreath

Just a quick question, the other HDD you tested had a known working OS on it?

The drive sounds like it's being seen fine as its saying no OS found.
When you get that message it usualy means the MBR is corupt. Have you tired a reinstall as of yet?

Redzer7

Yeah mate the other HDD had a known OS working on it.
Sorry mate how do i reinstall the OS? Cheers.

DevilsBreath

You should have recived a OS XP/Vista CD with the notebook.

If you do this it will wipe all the data on your harddrive.

Here is a link with all the details you'll need

Here

Redzer7

When I start up the Vista cd and press install then custom it says to select a driver to be installed but theres nothing there? Also That link doesn't seem to be working mate.

duckysauce

if you are loading the driver you need to take out the vista cd when it prompts you to load driver , then stick in the dell drivers cd , driver loads , then whack in the vista cd again , ps you can give dell a ring and they should talk you through this if its still under warranty

majiktripp

You could try using the Dell Recovery Partition by pressing Ctrl + F11 together when the Dell Logo appears on turning on the computer. This *should* allow you to recover to factory default settings etc assuming the partition hasn't been deleted since you received the laptop.

Redzer7

it Says Where do you want to install window but theres no drives there and when i put the drivers and utilities in still won't work, I tried ctrl +11 but that didn't work and i'm 2 months out of warrenty :mad:. Anymore ideas? Cheers lads.

robbie_998

send it all back to Dell and let them either fix or send you another one with all your files on it :rolleyes:

Redzer7

robbie_998 wrote: »

send it all back to Dell and let them either fix or send you another one with all your files on it :rolleyes:

So Dell can send me a cheque for 200 quid because it's out of warrenty I don't fcuking think so :rolleyes:.

_

Redzer7 wrote: »

When I start up the Vista cd and press install then custom it says to select a driver to be installed but theres nothing there? Also That link doesn't seem to be working mate.

Been awhile since I did an OS install but it sounds like you need to install the drivers for your HD. I have yet to do a Vista install but on XP during the first minute it used to ask you to press a key if you needed to install additional drivers. This was the point were you said yes and then installed the SATA HD drivers. I think I am remembering that correctly.

When you put the discs in and boot is it giving you a repair option? If you choose that and it works a lot of your files will not be erased, My Documents etc

Google is your friend in these situations

Redzer7

_ wrote: »

Been awhile since I did an OS install but it sounds like you need to install the drivers for your HD. I have yet to do a Vista install but on XP during the first minute it used to ask you to press a key if you needed to install additional drivers. This was the point were you said yes and then installed the SATA HD drivers. I think I am remembering that correctly.

When you put the discs in and boot is it giving you a repair option? If you choose that and it works a lot of your files will not be erased, My Documents etc

Google is your friend in these situations

Its Says Where do you want to install windows but theres nothing there for me to put it so when i load th e drivers and utilities still nothing comes up even if i press rescan. And Yeah theres an option to restore the laptop but it says i have to install the drivers? I really think my laptop is not picking up my hard drive? isthere somwhere i can check if it notices it?

duckysauce

yeah go into bios ie setup f2 when it boots up, under devices you should see cd rom , hard drive etc, if it aint seeing the new hard drive and if that drive works in another laptop , the motherboard is duff.

majiktripp

duckysauce wrote: »

yeah go into bios ie setup f2 when it boots up, under devices you should see cd rom , hard drive etc, if it aint seeing the new hard drive and if that drive works in another laptop , the motherboard is duff.

I agree, if there's no valid install destination then either the original hard drive is duff or the connector on mobo maybe faulty. Also possibility of Sata hdd driver no bring loaded during install but that's is sounding less likely. I would suggest taking it to a repair shop and getting a diagnosis done rather than guessing.