Please help - been working on this 12 hours now!!

My computer has been completely wiped out and we've been trying to get Vista to reinstall on it and every time we get to the end of it where it is
installing updates then it pops up stating that "windows could not prepare
the computer to boot into the next phase of installation. To install windows,
restart the installation." Unfortunately every time I do it I get the same
problem. I need to know what to do get it fixed. I have a Dell Inspiron 1545
and am reinstalling Windows Vista Home Premium 64-SP1.

Someone mentioned reinstalling drivers and I am trying this from the Drivers and Utilites CD it came with, It says Insert the Installation media for the device and click OK to select the driver. When I click OK I see all kinds of files and text pads that I don't understand, I see nothing about drivers thus I am stuck at a standstill!! URGH!!!

Re: Been working on my problem for 12 hours now!!

Where did you get the install DVD?

As a side note your other post will be closed. We do not allow double posting.

Try this to restore
http://support.dell.com/support/top.../kcs/document?&docid=DSN_353562&isLegacy=true

Hello - I am sorry about the double post as I am new to this.

To answer your question the Installation CD came with my new laptop from Dell. Can you please help me?

Re: Been working on my problem for 12 hours now!!

Dell has a restore partition, read my post. You may be able to install without the DVD
Dont worry about the double post. I will have the other removed. Having two adds to the confusion. Two sets of answers are received rather than one that flows nicely.

I read it but I can't do what it says because now I am unable to F8 to get the advanced boot options.....my computer starts beeps and says:
BOOTMGR is missing (sigh) This is just not my day at all and I have
reinstalled many computers over the last several years, I know just enough
to be dangerous I guess....

Got any suggestions on how to fix THIS problem so I can proceed with the
Dell link you sent me?

Thanks,
Pattie

Pattie
Apparantly, you corrupted the restore partition, when you tried to install, so we cannot go that route.
Lets try to figure out why you cant install.
When you wiped out the last OS, could it be because of a hardware problem with the computer?
Are you sure that the Hard Drive has enough space? You formatted the HD?

If all else fails,There are several types of bootable tools,& CD's/ One I recommand Is.:

Rescue CD | PC Rescue and Repair Toolkit | AVG Canada

• Check out our Video Tutorials
• Check out our Rescue CD User Guide

NOTE:
Ability to perform a clean boot from a CD or USB stick

I was not sure I was formatting the correct partition at the time. I will attach a snap shot of what it showed me and maybe you can tell me which location to format correctly. When you look at the image I attached make it big if you can so you can read it well

** NOTE - When I hilight Disk - Partition 3 says:
This disk may fail soon. If other hard disks are available, install to another locaion.

So that is where I am stopped at waiting for your advice.......

Tell me how you lost the last OS? Based upon what you told me sounds like it may be a computer problem.

ok - this morning - my computer froze so I turned it off with the on/off button and normally, it restarts with no problem. This time it did not. It came back up and the message said was from:

"Windows Error Recovery: Windows Failed to Start, a recent hardware or software change may have caused this."

I had not made any hardware changed and as far as software, it was a week ago when I download a program to transfer some songs from my ipod to itunes.

So I worked with my computer and finally decided I was going to have to bite the bullet and reinstall Windows. At one point earlier today It would say it was loading files and the screen was full and it always stuck at the same place it was (crcdisk.sys) - then after that I got this message at a later time "windows/sys32/winload.exe - application missing or corrupt"

I am not sure what happened or if I have made it worse but I'm thinking I probably have made it worse. I really really appreciate you working with me but I have to get to bed, I am so worn out from all this all day long. Would you please reply to me when you can - no hurry since I am signing off, and when I wake up tomorrow I will read your advice and do my best. Thanks again

Patty,
I think that there may be a hardware problem with your computer. I have no way to know for sure. If there is you cannot install. You have not made things worse.

I ran hardware diagnostics on it at least 5 times today, extensive tests, not the quick ones and everything passed just fine - I am just baffled at this. Anyway, have a good night and I will probably have to call someone to come fix it. It makes me so mad because I have always been able to fix my issues by researching the internet.......

Did you test the Hard Drive?

Yes I did test the hard drive early on and had no failed tests, however I just ran it again this morning and this is the error code I get:


ERROR CODE: 2000-0146
Hard Drive 0 -self test log contains previous errors.

Where do I go from here? I am so ready to just give up

I am sorry that my answer took so long that you had to send me a VM, but I am not on line 24, 7, but do answer as soon as I can.
My answer to you about the Hard drive was based upon information that you provided. It was my opinion that the computer problem was caused by a defective hard drive. Your last post just confirms that fact.
There are only two things that you can do. You can have someone remove the HD from your computer and test it in another or you can trust the results that you just received and take it in for repairs. I do not know of anything else that can be done at this point. Sorry patty.

Thank You Rich! I value your opinion and appreciate everything you have done for me. I did not mean to send you a VM, I thought it would just send you a personal private e-mail on your Vista Forums Profile page. I apologize again. I have alot to learn about this website and I plan to in good times and bad! Blessings! :D

Pattie
You are now a valued member of the forum. You are welcome to come with questions, or just to read and learn. If I ever see a question from you, I will give you the best help that I can. Good luck

Thank You my New Friend