no bootable device: f1 to retry...

[gregrocker]

After the clean install I went to the dell site to look for some drivers. It's possible I
reinstalled some of the Dell utilities as I followed their instructions as to what to
download and in what order to install them.

I was curious about the Win 7 connection manager as I saw references to it in another
thread. I will ask about this on one of the other boards here.

You have given a good clue about what might be the problem.

When you do a clean install of Win7 over a factory install, make Recovery Disks then wipe the HD to get rid of factory code.

Use the WIn7 installer drivers which are quickly updated in optional Windows Updates. Then any drivers missing in Device Manager can be found on Dell's Support website with your service tag. Only swap out drivers if performance dictates, or to get better graphics.

Adding back factory utilities - which normally lose their links to OEM partition even if you don't wipe the HD - can cause conflicts with the superior versions of these utilities in Win7.

If you are going to do a clean install it is better to go fully clean. If you have to reimport a Dell utility for a good reason, then set a restore point and monitor closely its performance effects.

 

[aquarian]

As far as I can see this problem is now resolved.
Thanks for all the help.

I am slightly curious as to how this problem existed with my vista installation
as well as windows 7. Is this because I did not do a full, clean install of
windows 7? I can see what you are saying now. If I need to reinstall
I will do a full wipe first but for now I will stay with what I have.

I did reinstall a DELL-specific utility after installing windows 7 but the problem
with the MBR already existed in vista and I must have somehow corrupted it
at an earlier point. I guess the way I installed windows 7 did not change the
MBR so it was still faulty.

 

[gregrocker]

The MBR can be corrupted during clean reinstall over factory installation without wiping the HD since the MBR can be placed in OEM, Recovery or other partition and confuse the installer. Until all factory code is wiped there is this risk.

The exception might be on a Win7 factory install where you want to keep the Recovery partition as well as the set of Recov disks you make off of it. But I would not keep it myself, although some want the extra backup. I would rather have a Win7 backup image of my successful clean install to wiped HD

 

[aquarian]

Hmm, after a few days of no problems it reoccurred.

I have been looking around the web for other reports of this.
One suggestion is a faulty/dead CMOS battery.
Is that likely?

The machine is under warranty so I dont want to open it
up myself but if I can convince DELL it is hardware related
they will fix it. For now they default to telling me it is software
related and not their problem, despite the problem existing
on the factory install of vista as well.

 

[gregrocker]

I would want this problem resolved within the warranty period, even if it means factory restoring to get Dell's cooperation on troubleshooting the problem, or RMA'ing the machine with enough time left to test thoroughly the replacement.

Remember that when you call tech support you do not have to proceed with an unsatisfactory tech - just call back until you get the help you need, or ask a supervisor.

You can save a Win7 backup image externally so it can be reimaged after problem is fixed under warranty.