Vista (32 bit) reinstall problems - advice needed please

Cryomorph · 20 Dec 2009 at 13:40

After the latest round of MS updates, the O/S stopped loading properly. It would show the desktop, but some of the icons graphics remained 'unloaded' and the cursor remained in the 'busy/working' state.

I was able to boot into safe mode and recover everything just fine to an external HDD. After doing that, I decided it was time to do a clean reinstall of Vista using the recovery disc that came with the machine. Unfortunately, the installation never completes. It unpacks the files, installs, gets to the last bit where it restarts and then hangs at that point. Just a black screen, no cursor, nothing.

I now can't get into safe mode or anything at all. I appear to have stuffed it up good and proper. Gutted because the damn thing has worked flawlessly for the last 20 months and has been used virtually every day.

I even considered putting XP on it but then face the prospect of perhaps not being able able to get all the correct drivers and making things worse (if possible).

Any ideas anyone?

PS - It's a Dell Inspiron 1720 notebook. Please let me know if there's any more info you require to help me get to the bottom of this.

Cheers

Redgie · 20 Dec 2009 at 13:54

First off you shouldn't use a recovery disc, borrow a proper Microsoft disc to install it. If it still doesn't work, it's hardware related.

Cryomorph · 20 Dec 2009 at 14:07

Thanks Redgie. In an ideal situation, that's what I would use, but I needed a quick solution. Excuse my ignorance, but why not use the recovery disc? That's what it's there for isn't it to restore it back to the factory state?

radderfire · 20 Dec 2009 at 14:12

Have you checked the Dell Inspiron 1720 forums to see if other users of this laptop have had the same problem?

Are there other reports from users of other laptops with this Windows update?

Could you have a fault with your laptop harddrive which is causing this?

Rgds

Redgie · 20 Dec 2009 at 14:18

Cryomorph said:
Thanks Redgie. In an ideal situation, that's what I would use, but I needed a quick solution. Excuse my ignorance, but why not use the recovery disc? That's what it's there for isn't it to restore it back to the factory state?

Yeah, but it's loaded with Dell junk making it half OS and half crap!

I myself have a Studio 15 and wouldn't dream of using the recovery disc. If you use the proper Microsoft disc then you KNOW it's not a software related problem.

Cryomorph · 20 Dec 2009 at 15:09

update

I got a response from a dell repair tech on another forum which might solve the problem and have pasted his response below in case anyone else has something similar.

"I maintain the computers at work and they're all Dells. Last one laptop I wiped (Vostro 1700) had a similar problem to you.

It was actually down to AHCI being enabled in the BIOS. Once it was changed to 'Legacy' Vista went on perfectly.

When Vista is installed you can re-enable AHCI and install the appropriate drivers."

Another poster mentioned that these machines have problems if you have 3GB RAM or more. So basically, if anyone else has a similar issue and reads this thread - Disable AHCI and remove some RAM. Then put them back.