Solved Dell desktop - Resume loader problem

[Mhensien]

I have a Dell Vostro desk top. After a power outage, the system boots to the Resume Loader screen and the keyboard is frozen. I am able to get to the bios. Have run the Dell diagnostics, and no problems were identified. I created a system restore disk, but the system will only boot to the CD/DVD drive if the hard disk is removed. With the hard disk in place, it attempts to boot from the CD/DVD but because the keyboard is frozen, there is no way to respond to the 'touch any key' to continue prompt, and the Resume loader screen is displayed. I have reset the CMOS. Any ideas for how to correct this problem?

 

[Anshad Edavana]

Hi

Please try the below steps.

1. Download and burn "Puppy" Linux from the below link.

http://distro.ibiblio.org/puppylinux/puppy-slacko-5.7/slacko-5.7.0-PAE.iso

2. Boot from "Puppy" and find your "C" partition. Instead of letters C , D , E etc, "Puppy" will mount your partitions as sda1 , sda2 etc. The one with Windows and Users folder will be your "C" partition.

3. Delete "hiberfil.sys" which is located on the root of "C" partition and then reboot the machine. Now check whether you can boot in to Windows.

 

[Mhensien]

Thanks for the prompt suggestion. I created the disk, and can see the Linux screen when the system boots, but nothing happens. After the Linux splash screen, all I see is a blinking cursor in the upper left screen. For some reason the power button does not work after the Linux boot. The only way to reboot is to disconnect the power. I did try to access the Linux help screens by touching F2 and F3, but it appears the keyboard is not functioning during the boot process because there is no response, and the system goes to the blinking cursor. Any ideas?

 

[Anshad Edavana]

Hi

From the description you provided, it seems that "Puppy" is having issues recognizing hardware of your system. As an alternative, please try "Parted Magic". It will boot on 99% of the systems without issues.

Download Parted Magic - MajorGeeks

In case nothing works, we can try booting "System repair disc" via USB which won't ask for "Press any key" confirmation dialogue. However deleting "hiberfil.sys" is easy if a GUI interface is available so try "Parted Magic" first.

 

[Mhensien]

I was able to get pcmagic to load from the DVD, but the keyboard was still not working. pcmagic did attempt to load, however after it displayed a message that said 'setting up system devices', the screen went blank and nothing more happened.

I the copied the .iso files to a flash USB drive - for both of the programs mentioned above. I changed the boot order to USB floppy, the USB hard, and when the system attempts to boot the message operating system not found is appears. Any ideas for a next step?

 

[Anshad Edavana]

Hi

What is the exact model number of your machine ? ( ie Vostro 2520 ). Also try booting "System Repair Disc" via USB and let me know the result.

To prepare the USB, use another machine with either "Windows 7" or "Windows 8". Please follow instructions from the below link to create the USB.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2432-usb-windows-7-installation-key-drive-create.html

The instructions are originally meant for creating a "Windows 7" USB install key but the same can be used to create a USB version of "System Repair Disc". On step 20, copy all files from "System Repair Disc" instead of "Install Disc".

Once the USB is prepared, plug it and power on the system. You can press F12 to change the boot order and select USB disk for booting. Let me know whether keyboard and mouse are detected under recovery environment.

 

[Mhensien]

I was able to create the Windows 7 USB - following the exact steps including 20. Is the system repair disk a separate CD I should have? The system does boot from the USB, the keyboard and mouse work. I have the choice to install Windows or repair. Should I click on the repair your computer prompt?

 

[Anshad Edavana]

I have the choice to install Windows or repair. Should I click on the repair your computer prompt?

Our objective here is to delete the "hiberfil.sys" file via command prompt since GUI based Linux recue discs are not working with your machine.For this purpose both "System Repair Disc" and install disc can be used. . Please follow the below steps.

1. Press Repair Your Computer link. Windows will auto detect your OS partition and present a confirmation dialogue like the below one.

Note the Windows partition's drive letter. In most cases you will see "D:" instead of "C:" and it is perfectly normal.

2. Press the close button and you will be back at the "Install now" screen. Now press Shift + F10 to open a command prompt Window.

3. Type D: and press Enter key to switch to the "D" partition's root ( your actual C drive ). Replace "D:" with the drive letter detected by startup repair.

4. Type the below commands exactly one at a time.

attrib -s -h hiberfil.sys

del /q /f hiberfil.sys


You shouldn't receive any error messages if everything works as planned.

Reboot the system and check whether it makes any difference.

 

[Mhensien]

After entering the attrib -s -h hi refill.sys file, the message Access denied - D:\hiberfil.sys is displayed.
I know how to navigate the disk with DOS prompts, but not sure how to get access. Any ideas?

 

[Anshad Edavana]

Hi

I always do this from a Live Linux CD so never had faced an "access denied" method. I need to practically check the command line on a test system. However please try del /AS hiberfil.sys - i think it will do the job.

 

[Mhensien]

It worked! Thank you very much for all you help.

 

[Anshad Edavana]

Glad to hear that .


You can now mark this thread as solved.