Computer help.. Crashed hard disk...

[PhilTheFragger]

How long was it loading files for?
on older windows 7 machines I have known it take 15-20 minutes

Clearly the SSD is detected and the recovery disc is starting
maybe check the windows Cd for scratches or obvious imperfections.

beyond that id need to put my thinking cap on

are you selecting any options or does it just boot into the loading files section?

 

[vkurup]

thnx Phil, answers inline..

How long was it loading files for? on older windows 7 machines I have known it take 15-20 minutes
>> Had several tries at doing this.. have let it is run for nearly an hour. it shuts down automatically after a prolonged session of loading. The lappy is running a Core 2 Do processor with 4GB Ram, so half decent spec. and should not take that long.

Clearly the SSD is detected and the recovery disc is starting
>>Yes, the SSD is showing up in Bios and the loading is from the recovery disk. If it bypasses the recovery disk, it goes onto the SSD and bombs with a 'OS not found'

maybe check the windows Cd for scratches or obvious imperfections.
>> I thought as much, but not may imperfections. It was in it packaging till a few days ago when this problem started. I dont know it the DVD drive itself needs cleaning

beyond that id need to put my thinking cap on
>>might need to


are you selecting any options or does it just boot into the loading files section?
>> the only option I am selecting is to boot from CD and then letting nature takes it course..

 

[vkurup]

Spoke to Dell tech support this morning. The machine is out of service.. They can send me a bootable USB... but it will cost me £70!!!! Turely Dell Hell...

i might try and boot it via an external DVD which I might have lying around somewhere in the house...

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Spoke to Dell tech support this morning. The machine is out of service.. They can send me a bootable USB... but it will cost me £70!!!! Turely Dell Hell...

i might try and boot it via an external DVD which I might have lying around somewhere in the house...

Good idea. make sure you unplug the dvd in the machine , so you are booting from the right one.

£70 is daylight robbery for a bootable usb stick that only costs less than a tenner

 

[vkurup]

Good idea. make sure you unplug the dvd in the machine , so you are booting from the right one.

£70 is daylight robbery for a bootable usb stick that only costs less than a tenner

The spare drive is a USB drive, so will have to change boot sequence.. If that works then it will spare me some money.. else will have to get a high capacity USB and then make it bootable (plenty of instructions online to create a bootable USB)

 

[vkurup]

Sods law.. .

... looks like the fresh installer CD that came with the machine is knackered... cant read it!!!

.. what are the chances and what are the option of that happening!!

 

[vkurup]

Phil, is there a way to install Windows 7 it the Windows COA sticker at the back is nearly entirely unreadable?

 

[PhilTheFragger]

only with a recovery disc set
who is the manufacturer of the PC?

 

[vkurup]

only with a recovery disc set
who is the manufacturer of the PC?

Dell.. they quoted £20 for a new disk and £70 for a USB earlier today!!..

 

[PhilTheFragger]

I can send you a Dell Master W7 disc Home Premium 64 bit
PM me your address, but I will need to have it back after you have done