They probably remove all OS.
So HDD error then, since im certain the OS was left intact?
Does this also mean if i change the boot priority to CD rom, i could install linux? Sorry if the answer is obvious, im seriously new to this lol.
Any ideas what causes this? I was given a few of these Dell vostros all having similar problems, they boot past POST then the screen goes black and im left with a blinking cursor in the upper left corner.
Im trying to learn with hands on, so ive been reading all morning but ive hit a bit of a dead end here. Any help is appreciated.
Here's the Vostro 230 Service Manual. Give that a good read before you do anything else. Id suggest you first unplug the PSU powercord from the wall outlet then hold down the power button for 15 seconds to bleed off any residual current in the mobo.
Remove the case cover and then remove the CMOS battery for 3 minutes (this clears the CMOS and returns the BIOS to all default settings). While you're in there disconnect, inspect then reconnect all wiring connectors, and be sure that memory modules and graphics card (if any) are properly seated.
Reinstall the CMOS battery and plug the PSU back in. Start the computer and immediately enter the BIOS setup (press the F2 key at the Dell logo boot screen) and make sure that the date/time are set correctly, and that the boot order is set to CDROM first and HDD second. Save and exit BIOS to test if it will boot into Windows. If you still get the blinking cursor then (as has already been noted) there's no operating system installed.
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Does the hard drive show up in the BIOS? We've had a few machines do this, and it ended up being the connection between the hard drive and the motherboard. I've only experienced this twice though.
First thing I'd do is reset the CMOS and then boot into BIOS as the above poster stated.
Did it come with Windows 7 Pro 32-bit? Is the Windows serial sticker still on the case? If so, a Windows 7 Pro disc from somewhere should be all you need to reinstall.
Alternatively, you could try booting from a Windows 7 installation disc or repair disc to see if Windows can fix the problem for you.
If you are referring to Classic Shell, it comes with 7, just needs to be enabled, so the basic installation of 7 would not differ from a standard install. Do you have recovery discs for these machines?
Do you know if these machines have the Dell recovery partition? In the past, I know that was visible by a small blue bar at the top of the screen just before the OS loads.
I keep forgetting to bring a disk in to work to make a recovery disk, all we use around here are USB's.
I know what you are refearing too with the blue bar before launching the OS. I think they either changed how its displayed or got rid of it in this series. The previous round of Dells we had, had that blue bar. These ones do not.
Try CTRL + F11, no luck. However F12 "Boot options" brings up a menu that lists "Boot to utility partition". When i try that, i get the same blinking cursor on the next screen.
I still forgot to bring in a blank disk, i do however have a free USB here that im working on putting a copy of porteus (linux) on. If i can get it to boot like that, than that means i need a fresh install of windows correct? Or possibly just need a recovery disk?
It sounds like the recovery partition is hosed, possibly windows too. Realistically, you would probably just want to do a fresh install unless you think there is something on there that needs to be recovered.
edit: Should i plan on replacing the Hdd? If it corrupted the windows install, is it likely to lose more data down the road?
Tons of things can cause corrupted data, including viruses and memory problems. Based on what you have posted, you are way too early into this machine to make that assumption.
Get a good program like seatools for DOS burned onto a CD and boot from that. It will tell you if the disk is healthy or not.
I don't know if they have improved, but recovery partitions used to be notorious for failing to operate properly. Synonymous with breathing on the computer the wrong way, or getting one virus... ever.
When I worked retail I used to always tell people to burn recovery discs as soon as they got it home for the very reason.
Good to know, thanks. Im 3 weeks into a A+ certification book. I just covered all the windows chapters in the last few days, and im starting to see where theory and practice part ways. Im trying to ignore practice for now, since the certification is all theory lol. Windows will be the end of me on that exam, everything else is burned into my memory...but file paths, command line prompts and utility locations are kind of murky.
I took the Vostro home, its going on the back burner for a bit. Im waiting until i pass the A+, then ill start working on CCENT or Net+ and at that point ill start putting together a more elaborate home network and bring the vostro back into play as some sort of server.