Hi,
My computer has been freezing if it is left for too long and I figured that I would try to reformat it using my old Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit DVD. When I try to restart with the DVD in the DVD drive my computer tries to start normally but then shows a black screen with the cursor in the middle of the screen. I cannot click on anything but if I take the DVD out the black screen changes to the login screen.
Thanks
Did you buy the DVD in a store or did you copy it from an ISO? If not bought in a store I would suggest going to this site Dell Community and find the correct version of Win 7, download and burn to a DVD at no more than 4X. Try again to install Win 7. using this tutorial Clean Install Windows 7 Let us know how it goes.
Last edited by Brink; 18 Dec 2012 at 23:52. Reason: updated ISO link
Try tapping the F12 key at boot to trigger DVD drive. Do you get a prompt to Press Any Key? What happens?
Check the condition of DVD, clean it if necessary or replace it from Steps 1 and 2 of Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. Using the tools and methods in the tutorial will assure you get and keep a perfect install.
Hi LeadCuresCancer,
Computer may freeze up due to hardware issues also. You may also want to run 'hardware diagnostics' to check for the 'hardware functionality':
- Power off the laptop
- Power it back on and at 'Dell splash screen', repeatedly tap < F12 >
- Use 'arrow keys' to highlight < Diagnostics > and tap < Enter >
- Capture the error code details, if any (and report)
If no issue with the system hardware is observed, you may also want to try restoring the computer back to the 'original factory settings'. Dell computers are generally shipped with a 'recovery partition' and you may be able to access the 'recovery image' to restore factory settings. Any software corruption/conflict is likely to be resolved with this restore option. Contrary to a 'fresh re install', 'factory restore' is an easier and a faster solution. (Note: Factory Restore may be possible only if the computer has not been formatted in the past; and still has the recovery image intact)
If you still intend to do a 'fresh reinstall', please try the steps listed below:
1. Release flea power:
- Power off the system > Unplug all physical connections and peripherals > If using a 'dekstop', unplug the power cable, keyboard and mouse also > Push and hold down the power button for 10-15 seconds to release the static, if present > Plug only the essential components (keyboard/mouse/display) if applicable > Try to boot from the media to see if it works now
2. If the issue persists, change 'Boot Sequence' in BIOS:
- Power off the system > Power it back on > At Dell splash-screen, repeatedly tap 'F2 key' > Use arrow keys to change the 'Boot Sequence' of the computer to 'CD/DVD' > 'Save Settings' and 'Exit'
If the issue still persists, please share the options you get when you repeatedly tap 'F12 key'; are you able to see 'Boot from CD/DVD' option? Are you able to highlight that option? Also share the system model type and the operating system that was pre-installed in the computer from factory.
Hope this helps. Do reply if you have any further questions. I would be glad to assist.
I think it definitely is a hardware issue now. My computer isn't even trying to start anymore... Thanks to everyone who replied but I think that I might be in the market for another computer
Hi LeadCuresCancer,
Sorry to see that the system isn't working at the moment; would like to know the status of 'diagnostic light indicators' and 'beep sounds' if any. Please share what exactly happens when you 'power it on'.
Also share if you tried performing the troubleshooting steps that I suggested in my original post. Were you able to run 'Diagnostics'; were you able to change 'Boot sequence' in BIOS?
Do reply with the details; things may work out fine. Glad to assist.
Quote