Not the typical BOOTMGR error

[Jennifer Sands]

Ok so... from the command prompt I followed ur instructions.

My DVD/CD drive s E: and I saw the files you spoke of.

The setup screen did appear, but when I hit Start Windows Install or whatever the prompt I was given a message the said:
load driver

a required cd/dvd drive device is missing. If you have a floppy disk, cd,dvd,or usb flash drive, insert it now.

This stalls the install.

*I wasn't sure at what point you wanted me to hit F8?

Thanks,
Jen

 

[SIW2]

Hi Jen,

The F8 Gary spoke of is nothing to do with the install dvd.

That is what he uses on his Dell at the end of the power on self test (white writing on black screen as soon as you start the pc).

It brings up the recovery options - which is what ctrl+F11 is supposed to do on yours.

I think that just hands the active flag to the recovery partition - which you have tried manually already.

The message you got when trying to install from the dvd just now seems to indicate a problem with recognizing attached devices - back to the usb bluetooth device being the likely suspect

Are you able to copy the contents of the dvd onto the C partition from the command prompt?

 

[Jennifer Sands]

I haven't tried to copy the contents of the DVD to C:

What would be the steps in the Command Prompt to do that?

Thanks,
Jen

 

[SIW2]

Whatever the main folder is called on the dvd - could be VISTA_32_PREMIUM or similar i.e. the folder containing the others.

copy E:\VISTA_32_PREMIUM C:\VISTA_32_PREMIUM

If it copies ok - will take a couple of minutes - when done, remove the dvd- then try running setup.exe from C, in the same way as you tried it from E before.

The path to setup will be C:\VISTA_32_PREMIUM\Setup.exe

Don't know if it will work - as when it tries to restart, it may still be confused as to which is the active partition, because the bluetooth usb is live. ( I think that's the problem - but I could be wrong)

If you are game for it - give it a try - running it from the HD might avoid that difficulty.

 

[dinesh]

Hi Jen, the Ctrl+F11 function will not work as you have already formatted your Hard disk. Go to F12 boot menu and run a diagnostics on your HDD to see if its working or its gone bad. I 'd suggest you to call Dell tech support and ask for a new vista DVD. There'll be no charge for it.

 

[Jennifer Sands]

Ok so, I went and bought a USB keyboard which is now attached.

I attempted to boot to CD and received the same error I was getting before.

Is there something else I should try now that the bluetooth device isn't installed?

As for copying the Vista 32 folder. If I may list what's listed in the dir of E:

I'm not sure what to copy

Autorun.inf
boot
bootmgr
efi
setup.exe
sources
support
upgrade

Am I in the right drive? Should one of those be copied to C:?

Thanks,
Jen

 

[Jennifer Sands]

As for the new Vista CD from Dell. I don't think that's the issue because I have also tried to install a 100% working XP CD and that doesn't work either.

 

[Jennifer Sands]

When I run setup.exe from the command prompt with the VISTA dvd it tells me:

A required cd/dvd driver device is missing. If you have a floppy disk, cd, dvd, or usb flash drive please insert it now.

When I try with XP the "Install Windows" option is greyed out

I have tried both of these options with the USB keyboard attached.

 

[SIW2]

They all need to be copied to C - I just assumed there would be one folder containing them all on the Dell dvd - there is on the Dell dvd I am looking at .

 

[SIW2]

If you do:

copy E:\ C:\

It will copy the 3 FILES:
AUTORUN.INF
BOOTMGR
SETUP.EXE

to then copy the folders, you have to specify them.

EDIT: It is easier to do it all in one go with xcopy command - it appears to hang for a couple of minutes when it gets to install.wim - as it is a big file.

xcopy E:\*.* /s/e/f C:\

 

[Jennifer Sands]

So xcopy E:\*.* /s/e/f C:\ is the only command I need to do to copy the files?

The DVD hung for me on Boot.wim - Is that due to the size of the file?

After that file it gave the following error: "The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error.

I ran DIR on the C: and it did show the files as copied. So I entered:

Setup.exe

and the Vista install prompt opened, but it gave me the load driver error again and I wasn't able to go any further.

Any ideas?

 

[Jennifer Sands]

I also tried the same command with the Windows XP cd. For that CD the files copies correctly and without error.

I then went to C: and typed setup.exe

The XP install screen opened but again, the Install Windows XP option was greyed out and not accessible.

 

[SIW2]

Hi Jen,

That's given me a clue - try this:

CD/DVD drive does not appear in Windows Vista, or you receive this error during Windows Vista setup after booting from the DVD

 

[Jennifer Sands]

Interesting. Good idea!

I'm in BIOS right now but I'm not sure where to go to change that option. Any ideas?

System
Drives
Onboard Devices
Video
Performance
Security
Power Management
Maintenance
Post Behavior

Thanks!
Jen

 

[SIW2]

I don't know, Jen. Bios differ wildly.

You may have to poke around till you find - start under Drives.

 

[Jennifer Sands]

I'm certain that me typing this is going to jinx the process but...

I was able to boot up the Windows XP install CD.

The C: formatted successfully and the install files loaded.

The install disc is now unloading the OS through the step by step system install. I opted to go with XP simple because I was 100% certain that disc was working correctly.

I'm crossing my fingers in hopes that this will work.

If I am able to install XP, I have a few questions:

Are there changes in BIOS that I need to make now to bring the system back to what it was?

In your expert opinion(s) should I stick with XP or go with Vista - Assuming an install would work correctly once XP is loaded.

Here's hoping!

 

[SIW2]

Hi Jen,

Well done .

Did you change the setting to IDE - what was it before?

Vista is much more advanced and capable o/s than XP. Looks better too.

Some people stick with XP as it does everything they want and they are familiar with it.

M$ are withdrawing support for it, but security updates will continue for quite a while yet.

Up to you.

If you are feeling adventurous, you could try dual booting XP and Vista .

 

[garysgold]

Personally, I'd go with Vista. Now that the problem has been solved, you should have no problem reinstalling it. Also I'd do a clean install rather than an upgrade. Only thing I'd change in the bios is the boot order so it doesn't check the DVD rom for a boot disc every time you boot it up.

Glad you got this sorted out. If you have any other problems you know where to find us.

Take Care.

Gary

 

[SIW2]

If it's any consolation:

A required CD/DVD drive device driver is missing. If you have a floppy disk, CD, DVD, or USB flash drive, please insert it now. Note: If the windows installation media is in the CD/DVD drive, you can safely remove it for this step. - DELL COMMUNITY

Is that poor guy still waiting?

You can download drivers for your model from here:

http://support.dell.com/support/dow...IM_PNT_P4_E520&hidos=WW1&hidlang=en&TabIndex=

If you want to find out about what's on your machine, try SIW free edition ( download the SIW Standalone english only ):

http://www.gtopala.com/siw-download.html

You may also want to make your own images of your partitions - which you can easily restore in a few minutes.

Much better than reinstalling from the dvd or using the manufacturer images in the recovery partitions.

The free version of this is excellent:

http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.asp

Hope it helps.

 

[Jennifer Sands]

Thank you all so much for your patience and help with this issue.

This was a tough challenge for me and there's no way I would have gotten this solved without you all. Truly appreciated.

Do you know what the cause was? Was it that HD setting the entire time?

Something IS wrong with my Vista CD. It wont install even now but the XP OS is working fine.

Thanks again, this is an amazing service!