computer won't start 'Dell'

tremmor

tremmor

Well-Known Member
I was just trying to help someone else. Model for the Dell was DCCY.
If ya boot i get the following message. 'A problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down. Unmountable boot volume. check hardware.

ive tried safe mode and safe mode with dos. same thing. he took the computer into BestBuy Geeksquad and said a virus. Wanted $200.00. on the otherhand im not convinced. No, i can not boot with cd, or the hd. Im just looking for a rough draft on maybe what i should be looking at and finding out where to start. Myself, im thinking its hardware. they said virus. the only other concern is the bios was not password protected. battery is good. settings seem to be proper i think.
thanks
 
2 things to try. Run a diagnostic on the hard drive and try updating the bios/or resetting defaults.
 
Unmountable boot volume sounds like a corrupt windows insallation. I'd forst test the HDD, then run a chkdsk.
 
$200 to fix? That sounds like a rip-off to me tbh.

Use a GNU/Linux live CD to try to recover your files before going any further fixing the drive. Then try the suggestions above.

If all fails, reinstall Windows.
 
he said was nothing to save. ive been unable to boot to dos or a windows cd. i reset the bios, set the boot priority to cd then sata. dont make no diff.
any other ideas?
 
LoL!The GeekSquad will ALWAYS say it's a virus and will ALWAYS rip you off established on the big lie they said.Don't trust them lol.Rather learn things yourself. ;)
 
last part.
told him he would have to buy the key. i installed xp pro. i downloaded the updates i thought. can't install, cant access the internet, cant take the updates.
it requested from dell support for drivers and downloads. tag 7l6t7b1 and model dccy. i cant install the updates. does he need a special cd from dell to make this happen or what. this was the link from dell. it just ask what program to open with and so on. i will never buy an oem.

http://support.dell.com/support/dow...&osl=en&ServiceTag=7L6T7B1&SystemID=PLX_GX620
 
You can't download updates until the install is activated. Are you using a dell recovery cd to install the OS? If thats the case then its preactivated.

The files you download from dell are Self extrating exe files and should open and install no problem. However if this computer was infected and all you did was do a repair install then thats the problem.
 
it was a hard format. did a wipe and new install. cleaned it out and quiet. starts up pronto. the only other thing i did is reset the bios to the default settings. i forgot and likely i need drivers for the bios. not a flash.
 
What kind of cd did you use to install windows? Was it the recovery cd from dell or an actual microsoft install cd?
 
No. it was my window xp pro. its good for 30 days. these drivers i can not load. they are not exe. i checked dell support for an hour. downloaded everything they suggested. but how you install them i do not know. can't do from device manager. opened from cd and tried from the hd. it just comes up as text in windows explorer. heres the other link ive been following. then again maybe he needs the installation cd from dell. i thought i could get it working on a temp basis before spending any money. im listening still and open to any suggestions. i just thought it was funny the installation files when double clicked on my intel at least the installation wizard comes up and gave me an option to run or not run. (no i did not install on mine.). then again when double clicking on the file on the dell it only comes up with windows explorer. click on open with. i see paint, notepad, explorer etc. no option to run it.


http://www.computerforum.com/172486-problems-getting-internet-connection.html
 
What are the file extensions for the files that are on the cd? They should be .exe, if not then all the downloads are corrupt that you did. Either that or the install is all corrupt and you need to redo it.
 
all the names are in the order to be installed like this.
DellDriverDownloadManager(2).application etc.
tried the cd on the dell on my computer and would install just fine.
 
Do you have a usb flash drive? Put all the downloads on it and install that way. I would also not recommend using their download manager, use your browsers downloading program.
 
JOHNB..........your the greatest sheet i ever did see.
Im going to explain what happened and why. Is all you did is make me download again. thats how i figured it out. i downloaded the files and noticed the size of the files. they were only about 10k each. thats when i started but noticed the size. 9meg , 12, meg etc. these files were not that size. then i noticed a comment at dell. install there program or or use ftp client. i had a client but did not use it. i was using firefox. i tried explorer and downloaded all. burned and took to the dell and booted two times. got it working.

it was a freebie for a friend that was ill. loved the challenge though.
thanks for all the replies. and the help.
 
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