Dell Latitude won't load Windows 7 from disk

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  1. Posts : 15
    Windows 7 Enterprise 32bit
       #1

    Dell Latitude won't load Windows 7 from disk


    Because of software problems, I made an image of Windows 7 as I had it, cleaned the hard disk with DBAN (Darik's Boot and Nuke), and reinstalled the software on my Lenovo laptop from the Windows 7 disk. This has worked OK, but my Dell Latitude won't boot from the Windows 7 disk. Please tell me how I can get this laptop to boot.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 6,330
    Multi-Boot W7_Pro_x64 W8.1_Pro_x64 W10_Pro_x64 +Linux_VMs +Chromium_VM
       #2

    Too many unknowns here for me to help much.

    What did you create the image with, and what partitions did you backup/restore ?
    Macrium, Acronis, AOMEI, Windows built-in backup program, etc. ?

    Your specs show Win 7 Enterprise.
    Is this a business PC, and is there an IT support staff that can help ?

    and reinstalled the software on my Lenovo laptop from the Windows 7 disk. This has worked OK, but my Dell Latitude won't boot from the Windows 7 disk.
    How did you reinstall software from the Windows 7 disk if the Windows 7 disk won't boot ?

    I'm a home user with PC's using Legacy MBR installs (not UEFI).
    When i mess with things and a PC won't boot, a Startup Repair fixes the problem.
    Startup Repair
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 15
    Windows 7 Enterprise 32bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    I reinstalled Windows 7 successfully on my Lenovo 4446, not on my Dell Latitude D630. I tried a Windows 7 repair disk, but the Dell Latitude still shows "No boot sector on internal hard drive" and "No bootable devices". Thanks.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 15
    Windows 7 Enterprise 32bit
    Thread Starter
       #4

    I created the image on DVD's, and not anywhere on the hard disks, which I wiped clean on both laptops. Thanks.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 6,330
    Multi-Boot W7_Pro_x64 W8.1_Pro_x64 W10_Pro_x64 +Linux_VMs +Chromium_VM
       #5

    You could try booting the PC with a MiniTool Partition Wizard Bootable CD
    Bootable Partition Manger | MiniTool Partition Wizard Bootable Edition

    Then you should be able to see what is on the hard disk.
    If there is no OS and the backup image doesn't work you could do a clean re-install.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 15
    Windows 7 Enterprise 32bit
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Thank you very much for the suggestion; it's now booting from a NeoSmart repair disk, and I'll see what it does.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 15
    Windows 7 Enterprise 32bit
    Thread Starter
       #7

    It did boot from the NeoSmart repair disk, and told me I have no operating system; I know that already: I'm trying to install Windows 7. It won't boot from the Bootable Partition Manager disk, and I don't know why. Thanks.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 6,330
    Multi-Boot W7_Pro_x64 W8.1_Pro_x64 W10_Pro_x64 +Linux_VMs +Chromium_VM
       #8

    Are you saying the Dell Latitude will boot from the NeoSmart repair bootable CD, but will not boot from the Partition Wizard bootable CD ?

    If that's true, can you try to boot another PC with the Partition Wizard bootable CD, to see if it works ?

    I'm wondering if the PW bootable CD is corrupt (not burned correctly).
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 15
    Windows 7 Enterprise 32bit
    Thread Starter
       #9

    The Lenovo 4446 did boot from the Partition Wizard disk, while the Dell Latitude D630 didn't. I don't know what the connection might be, but one of the worst problems the Dell had with the former installation of Windows 7 was that the DVD reader sometimes worked, as with Power DVD software, and sometimes didn't work. Thanks.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 6,330
    Multi-Boot W7_Pro_x64 W8.1_Pro_x64 W10_Pro_x64 +Linux_VMs +Chromium_VM
       #10

    That is strange, some optical discs can boot the Dell, and some can't.
    Just guessing, but i wonder if the Dell CD/DVD drive is starting to go bad.

    If you have a USB Flash stick with nothing on it you need to keep, you could try creating and using a bootable flash stick.

    Building Boot Flash Drive with Bootable Media Builder:
    1. Prepare a USB flash drive and make sure that the USB flash drive is empty or doesn't contain any useful data since Bootable Media Builder will format the USB flash drive when building MiniTool Partition Wizard Boot Flash Drive. Now, please connect you USB flash drive to the computer.
    Source: How to build Boot CD/DVD Discs and Boot Flash Drive with Bootable Media Builder?
      My Computer


 
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 18:50.
Find Us