Operating System Not Found for Dell XPS

[Mock26]

I left my laptop on and unattended for a while and when I came back into the room my cat was sleeping on the keyboard. I moved her off and my keyboard was not responding. I had to force a shut down (held down the power key) and restarted the computer. Everything was fine, except my computer was running really slow. So, I shut down the computer via Ctrl + Alt + Del and restarted. This time, however, the computer was very slow to restart and before the Windows logo screen appeared I got an error message:

PXE-E61: Media test failure, check cable

PXE-M0F: Exiting PXE ROM
Operating System not found

Dell tech support said that I had a missing or corrupt File Allocation Table. They suggested I reinstall my operating system but there was a good chance I would lose my files on the computer.

So, I tried recovering my files using Knoppix Linux Boot CD but it would not recognize the hard drive.

I pulled the hard drive and put it in an external dock and it would recognize the hard drive but I could not access it. Additionally, the hard drive was not showing up correctly. It is a 640 GB drive but it was only showing up as a 600 GB drive.

The hard drive is now back in the lap top and it is still showing Operating System Not Found. The drive is showing up in BIOS Setup Utility. I just tried Hiren's Boot CD using their Mini Windows XP option but I kept getting the automatic shut down "Blue Screen of Death."

Unfortunately there are files on this drive that I really need to recover and I cannot really afford to take the drive to a data recovery specialist. So, what options do I have? How can I go about recovering my files off of this hard drive?

Thank you for any and all help!



Regards,
John Videll.

 

[fireberd]

Have you tried a Windows "Repair". You boot with the Windows disc but instead of install you select "Repair". This should fix any hard drive MBR or whatever problems, along with any missing OS files. You won't lose any user data although you may have to reinstall any XP SP's and possibly some software

There is also the Windows XP Recovery Console option. One of these two should get you going.

How to install and use the Recovery Console in Windows XP

If you don't have a Dell OS disc and are in the US, you can request one from Dell
https://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dellcare/en/backupcd_form

 

[gregrocker]

The error is typically a failed HD.

I would test the HD and then if it's good run Repairs also detailed in Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Boot

 

[Mock26]

I started going through the repair option, but my operating system is not listed. The directions say to install the drivers, but I do not know which drivers to install. I have the driver resource CD but there are more than a few files on it. Which ones do I have to install?

Thanks again for all your help.

 

[gregrocker]

All of the modern HD drivers are in the WIn7 installer. It's likely if it is not seeing your OS it is because of HD failure. Test your HD to be sure.

The correct way to test your HD is to download maker's HD Diagnostic burn to CD using Windows Image Burner or ImgBurn.

Boot CD to run Extended scan. If CD cannot detect HD it is faulty.

You can try one more test, running Disk Check from Win7 DVD or Repair CD System Recovery Options Command Line. If it also cannot detect HD then you've now confirmed again it is bad.

If HD is detected then you can rescue your files using Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console , then try the other steps in the tutorial I linked earlier to Repair it.
http://download.cnet.com/ImgBurn/3000-2646_4-10847481.html

 

[rickjaard]

operating system not found

Hi Guys ,
i have a problem with my Viao laptop pcg-61311u.
my said:"operating sytem not found"

Any idea to fix this ! i tried to repair with the disc but it doesn`t work at all.

Thanks, Rickjaard

 

[gregrocker]

Work through these steps for Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Boot.

You must at least be able to boot a disk to complete the required repairs: How to Boot your Computer from a Bootable CD or DVD

 

[whs]

1. A 640GB drive (decimal) showing as 600GB (binary) is normal.

2. I would say that your first priority should be to recover your data. If the data is accessible in Knopiix, use that to copy it to another disk. Another option is this: http://www.sevenforums.com/software/198909-lucid-puppy-way-recover-files-non-bootable-computer.html

3. Then you can think about a new disk and a reinstallation.