PeregrineKodiak Posted November 6, 2013 ID:750698 Share Posted November 6, 2013 I tried to reinstall Windows today. I don't think it really worked. A lot of the old stuff that was in my computer before is still there. I think I'm in this way over my head. I don't know where to begin rebuilding my computer. In the disks that came with my Dell Inspiron 1525, there is one called "Application". The instructions say to let that run first, before reinstalling windows. Problem is - I got this error message right off the bat: Timeout: Drive not ready, DELLPART - Error preparing hard disk partitioning. So I just did the Windows Re-install (Vista - it came with the computer), and all is well, but I can't connect to the internet - not by wireless, and not even by ethernet cable directly into the router. I'm beginning to feel like an idiot for trying to fix my own computer - I don't know what I'm doing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeregrineKodiak Posted November 6, 2013 Author ID:750702 Share Posted November 6, 2013 I tried the "Applications Disk" again. It gives me a choice about how much space to allot to the C and D partitions. I tried alloting 80G to the C, and I got a different error: "Timeout on ATA controller diagnostics" It then gives me a choice about "continuing with the disk partitioning" - which just starts me all over - or quitting. If I quit, I get a command line. Is there any code I should enter? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeregrineKodiak Posted November 6, 2013 Author ID:750703 Share Posted November 6, 2013 I tried chatting with Dell Support, they told me to call the help center. The problem is: we have only cell phones out here, and the reception is very bad. I get cut-off before getting anywhere. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Admin AdvancedSetup Posted November 6, 2013 Root Admin ID:750754 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Please see if the the following 2 articles can help get you goingRestoring Your Computer´s Software to the Factory Settings - KB Article - 336966Restoring Your Dell Computer to Original Factory Installation with Dell DataSafe Local Backup 2.0 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeregrineKodiak Posted November 6, 2013 Author ID:750778 Share Posted November 6, 2013 The first article didn't correlate with my computer. Now trying the second one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeregrineKodiak Posted November 6, 2013 Author ID:750781 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Same problem with the second article. My Advanced Boot Options doesn't list "Repair Your Computer" as an option. Here's what I have to choose from: Safe ModeSafe Mode with NetworkingSafe Mode with Command Prompt Enable Boot LoggingEnable low-resolution videoLast Known Good Configuration (advanced)Directory Services Restore ModeDebugging ModeDisable Auto Restart on Sys FailureDisable Driver Signature Enforcement Start Windows Normally Under "Directory Services Restore Mode" is a description: "Start Windows in Directory Services Repair Mode (for Windows domain controllers only). So - I can't follow the instructions, as I have no "Repair Your Computer" option Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firefox Posted November 6, 2013 ID:750813 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Just curious, being that this is a Dell computer, Turn it on, then hit the F12 (may need to do it several times) and when you are presented with boot options, run a diagnostic to test the hardware and the hard drive, and let us know if you encounter any errors. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeregrineKodiak Posted November 6, 2013 Author ID:750818 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Ok, I'm running the diagnostic. It's gone through some memory tests and found nothing. It gave me the choice to keep going with more memory tests - so it's doing more. But so far, no problems found. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeregrineKodiak Posted November 7, 2013 Author ID:750845 Share Posted November 7, 2013 Holy smokes, how long is it going to run these memory test activities for? It said 30 minutes more. It's been 80 minutes and it's still going... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeregrineKodiak Posted November 7, 2013 Author ID:750860 Share Posted November 7, 2013 Diagnostic recovered no problems. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeregrineKodiak Posted November 7, 2013 Author ID:750864 Share Posted November 7, 2013 What do these re-install error messages mean:"DellPart detected the following condition: Timeout on ATA controller diagnostics [DellPart] Total elapsed time is 00:00:08.8 [DOIT.BAT] DELLPART - Error preparing hard disk partitioning"and"DellPart detected the following condition: Source: BIOS Int 13h function 43h Code: 80h Meaning: Timeout (drive not ready) [DellPart] Total elapsed time is 00:00:09.3 [DOIT.BAT] DELLPART - Error preparing hard disk partitioning" Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeregrineKodiak Posted November 7, 2013 Author ID:750867 Share Posted November 7, 2013 If I google "Timeout on ATA controller diagnostics", only two entries come up - and both were just posted by me. This problem doesn't exist on the internet anywhere. My computer is broken. I need a new computer. (insert explicit, explicit, explicit words here). OK. Hmmm. Really stinks. (more explicit words). I guess I'll be opening a new topic about getting a new computer. Boy oh boy. Good thing Black Friday is coming! Ugh. So bummed out here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Admin AdvancedSetup Posted November 7, 2013 Root Admin ID:750870 Share Posted November 7, 2013 It would probably mean one of a few things. 1. Bad connection on the cable that goes from the hard drive to the motherboard2. Disk Controller is malfunctioning (previous tests don't indicate that it an issue)3. Bad hard drive. Did the Dell Diagnostics pass all the disk tests ?4. Possible some mbr infection that has gone undetected Is this a Laptop or a Desktop ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeregrineKodiak Posted November 7, 2013 Author ID:750873 Share Posted November 7, 2013 laptop. it passed all of the diagnostics. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeregrineKodiak Posted November 7, 2013 Author ID:750876 Share Posted November 7, 2013 There comes a time when one must retire the wires. If you do rewiring and stuff like that, would you like me to donate it to you, and you could retool it and give it to the needy. Because if it needs something like that, that I cannot likely perform, I can go looking for a new laptop. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Admin AdvancedSetup Posted November 7, 2013 Root Admin ID:750877 Share Posted November 7, 2013 No that one is a bit different on a Laptop and if it was a bad cable would typically be hard for a home user to replace. Do you have the actual Windows install disk? Not just the "Applications Disk". Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeregrineKodiak Posted November 7, 2013 Author ID:750879 Share Posted November 7, 2013 I have all of the original discs - and the reinstall manual lists them: *Reinstallation media for Dell MediaDirect (check - that's the one that also says "Applications" on it)*Microsoft Windows XP or Windows Vista Operating System media (check - that's my Vista reinstall disc)*Drivers and Utilities media (check) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Admin AdvancedSetup Posted November 7, 2013 Root Admin ID:750886 Share Posted November 7, 2013 So I'm assuming that at this point the computer is no longer booting up into Windows at all. Is that correct? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeregrineKodiak Posted November 7, 2013 Author ID:750887 Share Posted November 7, 2013 It boots up into Windows Vista now - because I did reinstall it. But lots of old files are still around, and I can't connect to the internet in anyway. Not even ethernet cable. (Vista is kind of ugly and retro!) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Admin AdvancedSetup Posted November 7, 2013 Root Admin ID:750889 Share Posted November 7, 2013 Okay, please try to follow the instructions from these links. Watch and read them first before continuing. Do NOT you use the reinstall method provided by Dell. Just boot from the Windows DVD and choose Custom and delete your main partition.Then choose the disk to install Windows on as shown. How to Install Windows Vista Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeregrineKodiak Posted November 7, 2013 Author ID:750891 Share Posted November 7, 2013 This looks promising. To clarify: You said "Do you use the reinstallation method provided by Dell." Did you mean "Do NOT use the reinstallation method provided by Dell?" Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Admin AdvancedSetup Posted November 7, 2013 Root Admin ID:750894 Share Posted November 7, 2013 Yes that is correct. Sorry about that. I edited my post and put in DO NOT Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeregrineKodiak Posted November 7, 2013 Author ID:750896 Share Posted November 7, 2013 I'm watching and reading these links. I want to list the things that I've found are/have been different for my specific computer. These differences might now matter, but I'm just going to catalog them anyhow. Hopefully it won't be too tedious. 1) When I did my Vista re-install - it seems that it should have connected to the internet automatically. Somehow - it seems that my internet capabilities are totally disabled. I'll follow these instructions and see if anything changes. 2) Both sets of instructions ask the user to pre-set the computer to boot to CD. My computer has not been able to do this. The only way I've been able to boot with CD has been to press F12 just after starting/restarting. Therefore, I'm going to follow the directions, but rather than preset the computer to start with bootable CD, I'm going to Start, and then press F12, and select "boot with CD/DVD". Let me know if you think that makes any difference. Thank you! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeregrineKodiak Posted November 7, 2013 Author ID:750898 Share Posted November 7, 2013 3) My "Welcome Center" looks very different than the Welcome Center shown in the second set of instructions. I have far fewer features - I guess because I purchase Vista Home Basic (bleh!) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeregrineKodiak Posted November 7, 2013 Author ID:750899 Share Posted November 7, 2013 My specific install process - I am not asked for my Product Key - though I do have it. It skips that step and takes me to "Custom Install" which is my only option. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now