Solved Help!!! Trying to restore OS to computer.

[harris05]

I am trying to restore my OS to my Dell 1720 Inspirion laptop. I have window vista 32 bit. My son started the process last night using the factory recovery disk and the computer keeps freezing up during installation. It will get so far and stop. We tried going back to the old windows and now it won't even start up. All I get is the windows error recovery. I have tried starting it normal and in safemode. It freezes in safemode and just gives me the microsoft corporation screen when I start it on normal. I have no idea how to correct this problem. If there is anyone who can help I would appreciate it.

Thanks,
SH

 

[rive0108]

I am trying to restore my OS to my Dell 1720 Inspirion laptop. I have window vista 32 bit. My son started the process last night using the factory recovery disk and the computer keeps freezing up during installation. It will get so far and stop. We tried going back to the old windows and now it won't even start up. All I get is the windows error recovery. I have tried starting it normal and in safemode. It freezes in safemode and just gives me the microsoft corporation screen when I start it on normal. I have no idea how to correct this problem. If there is anyone who can help I would appreciate it.

Thanks,
SH

Some Dell recoveries require the SATA driver (driver disk- you must navigate to the storage controller driver to install) to be loaded at install. i.e., after "loading files")

what model do you have and where does it freeze?

 

[harris05]

Thanks for the reply
It is a Dell Inspiron 1720 laptop/Windows Vista Home premium 32BIT.
I don't know to much about computers, so I will need step by step instructions if possible.

SH

 

[rive0108]

Disconnect everything but power cord.
then follow walkthrough for restore- (select Vista) Dell - Support

 

[harris05]

Thanks,
I tried the Dell website. It tells me to do the same thing I have been doing.
It goes through the installation process and stops at completing installation and won't go any further. I called Dell tech support and they want me to pay for an extended warrranty in order to get help to fix it. I might have to end up paying the extra. Was trying to find a way around it.
Thanks for your help.

 

[rive0108]

Thanks,
I tried the Dell website. It tells me to do the same thing I have been doing.
It goes through the installation process and stops at completing installation and won't go any further. I called Dell tech support and they want me to pay for an extended warrranty in order to get help to fix it. I might have to end up paying the extra. Was trying to find a way around it.
Thanks for your help.

wait, this sounds familiar. Someone else had this error at the same point... I think it was an easy fix. Let me search for it.

 

[SIW2]

Hi harris,

Did you try marking the Dell recovery partition Active, and rebooting.

The Dell recovery program should start from there. May be more successful than using the disc.

 

[SIW2]

Boot from the Dell disc, go to system recovery options, select Command prompt.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/194765-system-recovery-options.html

In the example below, from the partition list, choose the recovery partition number - it will be small , 4-6gb. I have assumed it is partition 1 , but if not, replace 1 with the appropriate number.


At the prompt, type:

X:\sources>DISKPART {enter}

DISKPART> SEL DISK 0 {enter}

Disk 0 is now the selected disk.

DISKPART> LIST PAR {enter}

Partition ### Type Size Offset
------------- ---------------- ------- -------
Partition 1 Primary 30 GB 1024 KB
Partition 2 Primary 25 GB 30 GB
Partition 3 Primary 23 GB 55 GB
Partition 0 Extended 71 GB 78 GB
Partition 4 Logical 40 GB 78 GB
Partition 5 Logical 31 GB 119 GB


DISKPART> SEL PAR 1 {enter}

Partition 1 is now the selected partition.

DISKPART>ACTIVE {enter}

Diskpart marked the current partition as active.

DISKPART> EXIT {enter}

Leaving DiskPart...

Then close cmd prompt, remove the dvd, and reboot.

Hope it helps.

 

[harris05]

How is that done? I have to restart my computer everytime I try something different. If I don't press F? it goes to the windows error recovery. From there, whatever I select it won't continue any further. I can't even get into my old windows.

 

[rive0108]

Ok here is the problem the Inspiron 1720 has a sata drive, you must load the driver in order to restore/reinstall Vista
http://en.community.dell.com/forums/t/19261999.aspx?c=us&l=en&cs=&s=gen

Re: Inspiron 1720 restore disk failure

29 Mar 2009 09:47PM
As usual no help and I have to figure it out for myself. Here is the solution.
You need to install the SATA driver before it will continue. On an installation setup page there is an option to load drivers. Choose that option. Put in the Dell Resource cd and point it to the SATA driver. Load the driver and it will take you back to the install screen. Put the restore disk back in and your on your way.

Drivers and Downloads

or you can go into the BIOS and switch the drive from AHCI to ATA.
this will allow you to Install Vista-but after installation you must switch back to AHCI, and then install the above sata driver for the Intel storage controller.!!!


Walkthrough-(switching to ATA will bypass sata 3rd party driver install) :
note-installing with the disk will wipe out the F8 menu boot option to boot into recovery partition.
Insert disk>restart>hit any key to boot from disk (at prompt)> Disk will load files, you will then come to Install screen>click "install"> at 3rd party drivers setup choose "install 3rd party drivers">Insert resource cd> point it to sata driver> at sucessful installation you will see partition screen>delete all partitions and install Vista into unpartitioned space.

 

[harris05]

Downloading the SATA Driver worked.
Thank you so much.
I appreciate you taking the time to look for the information I needed.
This forum will be the first place I come to when I need help again.
Thanks,
S Harris

 

[rive0108]

Downloading the SATA Driver worked.
Thank you so much.
I appreciate you taking the time to look for the information I needed.
This forum will be the first place I come to when I need help again.
Thanks,
S Harris

You are not the only one that had that problem. Just took me a minute to remember.

Glad your problem is resolved.