[Macboatmaster]

I apologise if necessary for repeating what I have said before.

You cannot run a chkdsk in repair mode of any sort on that X prompt as it is a ramdrive.

That is why the message you NOW post is being received.

at the X:\sources>

type

C:
has the prompt changed to a C:\ prompt

if so now type

dir

what is now shown

[king011]

No need to apologise.

I misconstrued your previous post but as you have made it very clear now. I've typed "C:" but I am getting the message " The device is not ready."


Thanks.

[Macboatmaster]

Type
D:

if you are then at a D:\>
prompt
type
chkdsk /r

[king011]

When typing D: it does change however when I type chkdsk /r the message "The type of file system is RAW. Cannot lock current drive. CHKDSK is not available for RAW drives." apears.


Thanks

[Macboatmaster]

Are you CERTAIN before we proceed that you do NOT have ANY data you need on this computer

[king011]

Yep 100% sure because all my work is backed up on my memroy stick.


Thank you
King011

[Macboatmaster]

On the case of the computer is a label somewhere bearing what is known as the COA Certificate of Authenticity and product key - do not type that here.
What OS is shown please
XP or Vista

[king011]

Vista.

[Macboatmaster]

http://support.dell....9&isLegacy=true


CAUTION Explore the options in the orange coloured box on this link before you proceed.
If you are certain you do not have that option proceed as shown to a clean install

[king011]

Thanks for the link.

I've already explored this option and the problem with this now is that when I get to the "Where do you want to install Windows" window no partition is available(basically no hard drive appears).....


Thanks

[Macboatmaster]

Go to setup normally F2 maybe delete when the first post screen appears it will tell you to enter setup press

When in setup the BIOS screens - see if the the hard drive is shown there- i

[king011]

Okay, when in the "BIOS CMDS Setup Utility" > Boot Device Configuration, the hard disk is shown to be the first and second boot device but in the other options nothing about the hard disk is shown.


Thank you!

[Macboatmaster]

1. This is where to check
SATA Info

Displays the SATA drives integrated in the system (SATA-0; SATA-1; SATA-2; SATA-3; SATA-4; SATA-5

See this, this is the manual for your computer


http://support.dell....x.htm#wp1057460


Whilst there in BIOS setup check that the time and date are correct.

2, on that link go back to contents and examine the diagnostics and run those.


IF THE HARD DRIVE IS SHOWN IN THE BIOS then proceed to below

3.
On the attempt to reinstall from the CD
Is this what you did, or was the report regarding the cannot find partition from the hard drive recovery attempt
IF YOU DID NOT DO as below, please retry

NOTICE: The Operating System CD provides options for reinstalling Windows XP or Windows Vista. The options will overwrite files and possibly affect programs installed on your hard drive. Therefore, do not reinstall Windows Vista unless a Dell technical support representative instructs you to do so.

1 Save and close any open files and exit any open programs.

2 Insert the Operating System CD. Click Exit if the Install Windows message appears.


• Restart the computer. Press <F12> immediately after the DELL™ logo appears.

NOTE: If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft® Windows®desktop; then, shut down your computer and try again. NOTE: The next steps change the boot sequence for one time only. On the next start-up, the computer boots according to the devices specified in the system setup progr

4>When the boot device list appears, highlight CD/DVD/CD-RW Drive and press <Enter>.

5>Press any key to Boot from CD-ROM.

Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation.

[king011]

Hello,

After trying all your instructions my friend - a PC technician assessed it and determined it needed a new hard drive (which is what I initially thought) and I also got it checked form a PC hardware store who also recommended to get a new hard drive.

Many thanks for providing your input and tryig to resolve my issue, I greatly appreciate it.

Thank you
King011

[Macboatmaster]

Thanks for posting the result