Solved Dell Latitude e5510 Windows 7 64 bit installation help

[Randomrocket]

Hello all,

You guys have helped me before on a ram issue for my desktop. Now I'm having trouble with a Dell Latitude e5510 laptop. I'm trying to install windows 7 64 bit on it. I went through the install process and wiped the hard drive to start new (the hard drive was almost full of crap I don't use anymore, so I wanted to start fresh).

When the installation finished, it restarted itself for the first time, showed the Dell logo, then remained stuck at a blank screen with a flashing cursor in the corner. Nothing else. I was baffled by this, so I tried re-installing it again and it still won't boot.

Any ideas on what it could be or how I screwed it up?

Thanks,

Silas

 

[tman69]

see this link:

Computer Boots to Black Screen with Blinking Cursor | Computer Tips

it lists possible causes and fixes--could be as simple as a USB connected device or needing to have the CD/DVD inserted or removed

 

[AddRAM]

What are you using to reinstall ?

 

[Randomrocket]

Hey again,

I'm using the Windows 7 installation disc. I tried most of the fixes in the link.
1. The computer wasn't trying to sleep.
2. There are no devices connected except for the power cord and it needs to be plugged in to run (the battery is bad)
3. Boot options have not changed; I've made sure.
4. I have installed a new operating system, so yes I have installed new drivers I guess. Doesn't explain a remedy besides inserting the installation disk.
5. I have not installed a new hard drive.
6. I can not restore the computer since it is blank except for the OS.

sigh... I did try using the repair tool on the windows 7 disk. It just told me I needed to remove all external devices when I tried Startup Repair. But then I discovered something interesting. I opened Command Prompt and tried using the bootrec /scanOS tool and it told me that it was unable to identify any windows installations. I am confused by this...

Any ideas?

 

[gregrocker]

Unplug all other HD's and peripherals,

Boot into BIOS setup to enable Legacy BIOS if present. Next check BIOS Boot order for an EFI Boot Disk and if present remove it, 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.

 

[Randomrocket]

It took a while to format the hard drive, but it works now! Just installing updates for Windows 7 now. Thanks so much for the help