Dell Dimension e520

[mrblackmagicj]

I have 2 Dell Dimension e520's, one with

Intel Pentium D Dual Core 3.0Ghz Proc
4gb Ram
250gb Sata HD
Intergrated Graphics
Bios 2.3.2

The other with

Intel Pentium D Dual Core 3.0Ghz Proc
1.5gb Ram
80gb HDD
Intergrated graphics
Bios 2.3.2

I am able to boot, and do clean installs on both, but when the files are done copying/ expanding, and they reboot, it just sits at the "Starting Windows" screen. They have never actually booted into the GUI and allowed me to log in/ use the machine. Both do the same thing. And it isnt necessarily "frozen" because the 4 colors light up and dim at the "starting windows" screen. I left them going at work and when i returned the next day, there they were on the same screen. What gives? Thanks in advance!

 

[fireberd]

I used to have an E510 which is from the same era. Those should run Vista/Win 7, but probably only the 32 bit version since they have less than 4GB (the big plus for 64 bit OS is it will address more than 4GB of RAM).

What OS are you trying to install? XP?/Vista?/Win 7?

Resetting the BIOS may help. Easiest way is to power off the PC, open the case and remove the CR2032 CMOS backup battery for at least 10 minutes. This may enable the floppy disk drive in the BIOS, but Press F2 to enter the BIOS and you can disable it.

The correct install sequence for a Dell is (1) Install Windows (2) Install Dell Desktop System Software (3) Install motherboard chipset drivers (4) Install device drivers including Video, DELL Sound driver, Ethernet, etc.

 

[mrblackmagicj]

Version is windows 7 pro 64. shouldve included that in the original post

 

[fireberd]

I wouldn't use the 64 bit version. Won't do anything for you with the memory you have and could even cause problems.. I have Vista 32 bit on my E510 and it worked OK.

Reinstall one of the systems with the 32 bit OS version and see if that will work.

 

[AddRAM]

And where did you get your install media from ? Is it retail , oem ?

 

[mrblackmagicj]

This is just to build an image. i can and will add plenty of ram if these machines are indeed deployed to users. The install is from MS volume license center website. this is for my company. 32 bit is an option, but it is a last resort. I want all my machines on the same platform. Most of the machines are newer than these, but these are the ones that are out of service and i have them available for building an image. Thanks for all the ideas guys. I am going to start off trying the BIOS fix and will report back. I am just going to go ahead and update them and see if that works.


Also, i updated the original post with the processor info and BIOS version.

******UPDATE********

I am back, after updating the Bios from 2.3.2 to 2.4.0 i am having the SAME PROBLEM! At this point i am only working on the 4gb RAM machine, and when i go into the bios to verify the processor is 64 bit capable this is the information that comes up.

Intel Pentium D 3.0GHZ
Bus Speed 800Mhz
L2 Cache 4mb
Multiple core? Yes (Dual)
Hyperthreading? No
64-Bit Technology? Yes (EM64T)

I am at my wits end here. I understand that 4gb is not a lot of memory, but i am simply doing an initial install, and would expect it to atleast boot. Are the intergrated graphics the problem? I have some older video cards i could try to install, but i dont know much about the WDDM stuff.

This guy was able to go from win 7 32 to 64bit on his machine with only 2gb of ram loaded and a pentium D930 proc during the initial install. What the heck is so different with me?

http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/271159-pentium-d-930-windows-7-64-bit-please-help.html


***Another update***

I have a couple of newer machines that i use as Kiosk machines here that currently run XP. I believe they have intel core duo processors in them, instead of the pentium D. They were likely built for windows vista, so maybe they have a better chance of working. I will try and install win7 32 on the two that are giving me trouble, and if still no dice i will go back to XP. Regardless of which OS i get on them, i will replace the kiosk machines with these and hopefully i can get 64 to load on them. So no solution to my original problem, but i am done wasting time on it. Thanks for the input guys.

 

[gregrocker]

Back up your files, unplug all other HD's and peripherals,

Boot into BIOS setup, reset to defaults, save changes. If an EFI BIOS, enable Legacy BIOS or Compatibility Support Module, set DVD drive first to boot, HD second. Then set SATA controller to AHCI. Save changes and Exit.

Then boot into installer DVD or flash stick burned or written using tool and latest ISO for your licensed OS version here.

At first installer screen Press Shift + F10 to open a Command Box, type:

DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK 0 (after confirming Windows 7 target HD #)
CLEAN
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY SIZE=102400 (for 100gb partition, adjust as desired)
FORMAT FS=NTFS LABEL="WINDOWS 7"
ACTIVE
EXIT
EXIT

Next click Install Now, then Custom install to Clean Install Windows 7 to the partition you created. If it fails then report back at which step and the verbatim error message.

In addition read over these steps to understand the tools and methods which work best to get and maintain a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. The steps are the same for retail.

After install you can adjust partition size or Create new partitions for data, etc. in Disk Mgmt.You are creating the partition here for the purpose of marking it Active which overcomes certain install failures.

 

[mrblackmagicj]

Ok Sir, i will try. I just tried to load the 32bit version and i am getting the same business as before. So i will try it your way and go from there. Thanks.

 

[gregrocker]

If those steps which overcome most install failures don't help then test your RAM - Test with Memtest86+
and try with only 2gb RAM installed.

 

[mrblackmagicj]

Back up your files, unplug all other HD's and peripherals,

Boot into BIOS setup, reset to defaults, save changes. If an EFI BIOS, enable Legacy BIOS or Compatibility Support Module, set DVD drive first to boot, HD second. Then set SATA controller to AHCI. Save changes and Exit.

Then boot into installer DVD or flash stick burned or written using tool and latest ISO for your licensed OS version here.

At first installer screen Press Shift + F10 to open a Command Box, type:

DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK 0 (after confirming Windows 7 target HD #)
CLEAN
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY SIZE=102400 (for 100gb partition, adjust as desired)
FORMAT FS=NTFS LABEL="WINDOWS 7"
ACTIVE
EXIT
EXIT

Next click Install Now, then Custom install to Clean Install Windows 7 to the partition you created. If it fails then report back at which step and the verbatim error message.

In addition read over these steps to understand the tools and methods which work best to get and maintain a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. The steps are the same for retail.

After install you can adjust partition size or Create new partitions for data, etc. in Disk Mgmt.You are creating the partition here for the purpose of marking it Active which overcomes certain install failures.

My BIOS did not have the option for AHCI, but i have done the rest of the steps as far as manually creating, cleaning, and formatting the partition using DISKPART. after the file copying reboot, it came up! i left the 4gb of ram in, and it still worked. Thanks all!

 

[gregrocker]

Be sure to stick with the steps given in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7
to set it all up and save a backup image so you never have to reinstall again.

As long as you stick with those tools and methods you will get and keep a perfect install