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Inspiron 1501 will not boot

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by mocnota

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Dell Inspiron 1501 will not boot to Vista. 2 options: 1.startup repair-scrolling box then blank screen; 2.start windows normally - infinite scrolling box. If I choose safe mode, it loads windows files, then stops at crcdisk.sys. If I boot of the Dell OS Recovery DVD, it says "Windows is loading files", the progress bar scrolls completely, then the Windows scrolling box, then a blank screen again(not even a blinking cursor). I did every diagnostic from Dell and everything passed. What am I missing? I am able to load Gnome partition editor, and it says to run chkdsk/f twice on the c: drive, then reboot. What can I boot with in order to run chkdsk?

4 replies

by rob miners

The Windows Vista Recovery CD can be used to Boot your PC.

Creating a Windows Vista Recovery CD

http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/window-on-windows/?p=622

Download from here:

http://coblitz.codeen.org/neosmart.net/downloads/guides/Vista_Repair/Vista_Recovery_Disc_x86.iso

I would run chkdsk /r

Keep us informed as to your progress if you require further assistance.

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by mocnota

Thank you for your very prompt and helpful response. I had already downloaded and tried the Vista Recovery CD with no luck. In the meantime, I downloaded SpotMau PowerSuite. When the system booted with this CD, I chose one of the menu options and the screen became black again, but with some color around the edges. Just for kicks and giggles, I tried Fn+F8 (CRT/LCD toggle) and voila the screen appeared. This is my nieces computer and she never intentionally hit this combo of keys (she never had an external video source connected). I believe what happened is when the helpful people at Dell (insert sarcasm here)had her hit F8 to try safe mode, she must have, at some point, hit Fn+F8.Anyway, when I finally fixed the screen output, I was able to see that the system was running Windows repair, but was waiting for a response. Once repair was completed properly, Vista booted right up. Mark this day-long adventure as another lesson learned.

by rob miners

have to try and remember the old Fn+F8 (CRT/LCD toggle);)

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