Solved Help! Error loading Operating system /deleted partitions

[ChipsAtroy]

Hello all, I have an old Dell D410. I was trying to format my drive and install XP which I did but I also deleted the partitions I'm pretty sure. Now I'm getting the message "Error loading Operating system". On start up I do get the bios page and I'm able to select f12 and set the boot sequence to boot from CD first, but still I am getting the same error message after it attempts to boot. I have an iso OEM XP copy on a disk and I also have an original windows 7 disk which was installed on the computer before all of this happened. However, neither will boot. Can anyone help me. I've seen mentions of some fixboot and fixmbr programs which I have not tried as yet because I'm not sure if that will fix the issue. I have ran a diagnostic and everything passed so I believe there is nothing wrong with the HD either.

When I turn the computer on I get the dell splash screen then I will hear the CD spinning while the cursor blinks and then I get the error loading message

 

[Sundeep B]

Hi ChipsAtroy,

It appears the system is unable to boot from the CD you are using. You may try the CD on a different system to check if it is working properly or not. If it is working fine on alternate system, I would suggest you to make changes in BIOS for booting from CD drive :

• Power on the system
• Press F2 when you see Dell logo
• Under System highlight Boot Sequence and press Enter
• Here you may select devices from which you wish to Boot
• Press Spacebar key on keyboard after highlighting a device to enable/disable it for booting
• Once you have enable CD drive for booting press the ESC button twice
• Highlight the option Save/Exit option and press Enter

The system will restart and if a bootable media is present in CD drive, the system will display a message to press any key to boot from CD. You have to be quick and press one of the keys on keyboard to boot from CD. Once you are able to boot from CD, you may refer to article Here for step by step instructions on installing operating system. Once the OS is installed, you may install the drivers from Here -> Enter the service tag of your system -> Select the operating system -> Download/install the drivers in correct order as given Here .

Hope this helps.

 

[ChipsAtroy]

Thanks for your reply. I have done everything you said, which is what I have actually been doing previously. After the system restarts however, which is after I select CD in the boot sequence, I can hear the cd spinning in the drive, but it returns saying error loading operating system. And yes I have tried the cd in other machines, even once again today.

Never had this issue before until I mistakenly selected delete partition when attempting to format the drive and reinstall the windows.

 

[Boozad]

And yes I have tried the cd in other machines, even once again today.

Did it work in the other machines? If so could you creat a bootable USB stick with the ISO mounted onto it?

 

[ChipsAtroy]

It did work in other machines. I've created 2 bootable USBs, and I'm receiving 2 different messages. With one I get 'missing operating system'. The other I'm getting 'windows could not start because file is missing: <windows root>system32\hal.dll>

 

[ChipsAtroy]

Now I've tried making a bootable USB using wintoflash and it now takes me to a screen that says please select the OS to start with: 1st text mode setup (boot from flash again after finished), 2nd, GUI mode setup.... Debug options. Try if you have Hal.dll error. I selected the first one and it takes me to screen that directs me to format partition C. Hopefully all goes well, but I'm guessing it won't.

 

[Sundeep B]

Hi ChipsAtroy,

As the CD is working in an alternate system, it seems to be an issue with the optical drive. Good to know that you were able to successfully boot from the boot-able USB drive.

Please share if you are facing any difficulties. Will take it further from there.