Dell Windows 7 Boot Disk will not function (0xc0000001)

[bbowring]

Hi All,

I'm running into a significant amount of trouble trying to re-install my copy of Windows 7 Professional (x64). I recieved my new Dell Studio 1557 yesterday, and was installing all my new software etc only to be met with a various and (pretty much) unsolvable blue screen error about 12 hours into the process.

Anyway, after an agonising few hours on the phone with Dell Customer Support, they suggested that I do a clean/manual install of the O/S from the Boot Disk I was provided.

I have attempted to do this several times now, selecting F12 as the computer restarts and choosing to boot from CD/DVD drive. However, each time I am met with this error:

0xc0000001

FILE: \windows\system32\boot\winload.exe

"The selected entry could not be loaded..."

Would copying the boot CD contents to a USB HDD, then booting from there help?

If anyone is able to help me out with this, that would be fantastic. It's so frustrating that I just bought a new system, and already it's died!!!!

Cheers,

Ben.

 

[Jonathan_King]

Welcome!

Sounds like you got a bad installation disc. That would explain your first problem too.

I would recommend contacting Dell and having them send you new installation discs.

You can try creating a USB installation key first if you like. It certainly can't hurt. Be sure to read this tutorial: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2432-usb-windows-7-installation-key-drive-create.html

 

[bbowring]

Thanks for the quick reply Jonathan!

I will try and give that a go, although I'm going to have to go out and buy a new USB for the job as the largest I have is 4GB

Just a quick question about the disk potentially being a dud. I just inserted the disk into my girlfriend's working laptop (running Windows Vista) and I can view the disk's contents with no problems using Windows Explorer. Does this give me any indication as to whether the disk is corrupt or not?

Cheers,

Ben.

UPDATE: I just succesfully booted from the CD to the Windows 7 setup menu on my girlfirend's computer, so clearly the problem is isolated to my Studio 1557. Does this help narrow down what the problem might be?

 

[DocBrown]

I made my first install USB on a 4gb USB Flash drive.

 

[bbowring]

DocBrown,

How large was the .iso file that you used? Currently, the one I am creating for Win7 Pro is set to be just under 5.9GB. As my USB key is only 4GB, I'm assuming it won't fit?

Is there any way that I can compress the .iso image, so that it is below 4GB? or, alternatively, is there any way to spread the data across 2 x 4GB usb drives?

Cheers,

Ben

 

[Jonathan_King]

Use Method 2 of the tutorial. An official copy should not be more than about 3.5 GB. My imagex'd 32 and 64 bit versions is only 3.82 GB.

 

[DocBrown]

Your's must be loaded with Dell Bloatware, etc. That's why it is bigger that the 4gb.

My win7 ultimate from TechNet was 3.149gb. NO Bloatware

 

[Jonathan_King]

You may be able to delete some of the bloatware. If you aren't 100% sure you know the files/programs are bloatware, don't delete them.

It may be a good idea to create a backup of the installation files first, in case you accidentally delete a necessary file.

 

[bbowring]

Thanks for all the replies everyone,

I just had a look through all the folders, and there doesn't appear to be any obvious bloatware. All of the computer's drivers, software etc came on seperate disks, so I think this one is just the O/S.

The main problem is that the install.wim file is over 4GB by itself!

Is there any way around this, or will I have to buy a new USB key?

Cheers,
Ben

 

[DocBrown]

Here are the files & folders on my win7 ult x64


Have you tried setting your Bios to boot from CD/DVD First ?

 

[bbowring]

Thanks for that DocBrown,

My folder structure is exactly the same as that, except for a folder called "langpacks". That was about 1.3GB and contained all the non-english translations (which I don't need) so I deleted it.

That still leaves me with around 4.5GB though.

My "sources" folder (which contains the majority of the large files) is 4.27GB. Here are the largest files in that folder:

Also, yes I've made sure I'm booting from the CD/DVD drive when trying to use the CD directly. The computer appears to get to the "booting" stage OK (it asks me whether I want to boot from CD/DVD, then moves to a "Windows is Loading Files" page, but crashes after that).

 

[Jonathan_King]

Well I don't think you should go out and buy an 8GB thumb drive (around $15) just for the purpose of installing Windows 7. Unless you have another need for that drive, of course.

I would contact Dell and ask for new installation discs. They sent me the XP CDs for a machine 5 years old, and they didn't even charge shipping. I put in the service tag, and I was good to go.

 

[bbowring]

Do you think it's a problem with the disc though? As I said in an earlier post, I was able to succesfully boot the installation CD in my girlfriend's Dell Inspiron Laptop, running Vista. This leads me to believe that it is probably a problem on specific laptop, rather than the disk itself (hopefully a problem with the CD drive, so a USB key will work!)

Also, to be frank, I'm thoroughly sick of dealing with Dell. I had an awful time getting the thing delivered, and they haven't been very helpful at all in helping me with this issue.

I think I might go out and pick up a USB key this afternoon. Despite the cost, I actually think it will be easier.

 

[DocBrown]

Since you can get to the install screen on your girlfriend's computer, it might not be the DVD.. Do you have any extra things connected ? USB ? printers, ext HD's ? second monitor or TV ? Are you trying with just the bare basic computer ?

 

[bbowring]

Yeah, I've got absolutely nothing else connected externally except the A/C Adaptor. Also, I ran a full diagnostic test of the hardware earlier yesterday, and everything passed, so I don't think there are any internal hardware problems.

 

[DocBrown]

Ben, this has me slightly puzzled. We must be missing some little detail.

How much memory (ram) does it have ? How many ram sticks ? size per stick ?

 

[bbowring]

RAM is: 4GB Dual-channel 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM (2 x 2GB)

and yea, you're not the only one who is stumped! Me, you, and about 5 Dell technical support staff don't have ANY idea what's going on!

 

[gregrocker]

The Win7 ISO 32 bit is 2.43 gb.

Try extracting the files to the HD, then run Setup. Custom Install over current OS drive. Post back any errors.

If you can figure out which are the bloatware add-ons and remove, then boot installer from USB so you can wipe the HD and format before install. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2432-usb-windows-7-installation-key-drive-create.html

When you've had enough, you are entitled to RMA or refund from Dell. (My Dad got a lemon from them.) Let us know how they handle it.

 

[bbowring]

Hey Guys,

I had another chat with a phone-tech guy from Dell yesterday evening, and I've now got a technician coming round to replace the hard drive in a few days. Seems like a pretty drastic measure, but hopefully a fresh HD will solve my problems! :huh:

 

[DocBrown]

WoW,

Hard to believe they are coming to you, instead of saying ship it to Dell :shock: