It should not need a bios update just because you set it to default values. It should be the same bios. In your bios it should tell you which bios version you have right now. If you wanted to update bios, you will need to go to the Dell driver page for your model and it should list the latest bios. But, that should not be necessary. Setting it to defaults should not change your bios version, just the OS. As for the Windows Update, I have no idea, but it does occasionally happen.
Since you're interested in maintaining Win7 well, I'd go over these Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7 which will uncover any problems, familarize you with it better and help optimize it for best performance based on what's worked best here since Win7 beta.
You can ask back any questions or report back what you find and we may have more suggestions.
Most likely something about the Updates didn't agree with your Win7 and it needed to system Restore to a point before them. This is automated in Startup Repair.
If you'd like for us to check over the configuration of your HD post back a screenshot of Disk Management - Post a Screen Capture Image.
Sometimes resetting BIOS to defaults can change to another boot drive, change the SATA controller setting from what it was set for installing Win7, etc. So its best to take note of those settings before resetting to defaults. I would not update BIOS unless it specifies in the Read Me that the changes pertain to something you want or need.
I am still getting that BIOS error screen and cannot boot into windows except for the recovery console.
I did startup repair 5 times with a restart each time and that didn't help.
On the BIOS error screen the errors listed are:
ACHI Port 0 Device Error
S.M.A.R.T capable and status bad
I can get the rest of the info off of that screen if needed.
Thanks.
I believe you said earlier that you tried to run the manufacturers diagnostic test and it wouldn't run. Do you mean it wouldn't boot or that it found the hard drive and wouldn't scan it? You also said that you had a friend that would test it for you but I don't recall you telling us the results. All indications in this thread seem to be from a failing hard drive. The message you received from BIOS "S.M.A.R.T capable and status bad" Refers to the hard drive smart (Self Monitoring and Analysis technology) means the hard drive monitors itself and reports statistics. The message says that the hard drive is saying it has failed the self monitoring test. As suggested in several previous posts, you need to test the hard drive.
I tried to test it with the Bootable HD Diagnostics that was suggested to download. I downloaded it onto my laptop and put it
on a dvd. When I put it into my desktop it didn't do anything?? It was not able to boot from the dvd drive.
On the website where I downloaded it from it said for a Western Digital use the download for Hitachi which may work, that is what I did.
Since I did get it working, I never did bring it to my friend to test.
I looked up "ACHI Port 0 device error" and it came up as failing hard drive as well.
At this point should I just replace it, or does it still make sense to have it tested?
While it was up I was able to make another system image. Can that be loaded on a new HD?
WD CD ISO to burn to CD using Windows Image Burner is here: https://app.box.com/shared/gl0fifqgj4
To boot from a flash stick download from here and follow steps given here: https://www.sevenforums.com/general-d...ml#post2457531
All indications are the hard drive is failing. However, I would certainly test it before spending money to replace it. Are you using the one time boot key, I believe for Dell it is F12? Use the arrow keys to select what to boot from. The problem is if the hard drive cannot be seen by BIOS, I do not believe it can be 'seen' by the diagnostic test. In that case I would remove it and connect it in an external enclosure and try to see if it can be seen. If it cannot be seen by BIOS, it is most certainly dead. Have you tried connecting it to another sata port?
I am using f12 each time and selecting the DVD drive to boot from. Sometimes it is showing the os and sometimes It is not.
I used the 2 links above to get the diagnostics. I burned a dvd from the file above and when I run it I get : No Drive Found Error status code: 0120 Hit any key to continue. When I do that I get a command prompt A:\>
The link above to put it on a flash stick is bringing me to a blank page. If I do get it onto a flash stick, does the stick need to be empty or can it contain other files on it?
I have not tried connecting to another sata port? Not sure what you mean or how to do that??
I may be getting a little ahead of myself, but I have been looking at Hard Drives and dell has one on sale for $45 with free shipping that will fit my system and seems to have plenty of space 500GB. I believe mine is 640GB but I don't think am using anything close to that?? Dell 7200 RPM Serial ATA Hard Drive - 500 GB : Storage, Drives and Media | Dell Can someone please look at that drive and let me know what you think?
Also, gregrocker suggested that I get an SSD drive? Can someone point me to one anywhere that would work for my system (Inspiron 560) so I can get some idea of what I am looking for?
Thanks again to everyone!! Really appreciate your help!!
Did you unzip the ISO before rightclicking on the ISO file (not ZIP) it to burn to CD with Windows Image Burner?
The download page for flash stick diagnostics is here, but you must follow all the steps including typing into the DOS prompt the command given: WD Support / Downloads / SATA & SAS / WD Black
It will format the stick so move your files off first.
Some are having problems with the WD tool so if it persists try Seagate Seatools. Rightclick on the ISO to burn the ISO to CD using Windows Image Burner.
An SSD is the most noticeable upgrade you can do to a computer. It makes it extremely fast. I own 8 of them and would not ever have a computer without one. But, to answer your question, the hard drive you linked to will work. It is a rebranded drive built by someone else. Dell warranties it for 1 year. You can look around and find another if you like. Any sata 3.5" hard will work in your computer. The SSD is a 2.5" drive and you can buy a converter for $10, or use Velcro dots, as they are extremely light. For either one you will need a sata data cable and a sata power cable. Your case should have an extra sata power cable if you are adding a drive. If you are replacing the one you have, just use the cables attached to that drive. Sata cables are pretty much universal and will fit any sata hard drive.
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