[Phlegmbot]

All your help has been really appreciated.

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One more question, when I get my new hdd, do I just load it with all my original Dell software? I also formatted and old external drive as a recovery drive. Do i attach that from startup?

All your help has been really appreciated.

[Phlegmbot]

One more question, when I get my new hdd, do I just load it with all my original Dell software? I also formatted and old external drive as a recovery drive. Do i attach that from startup?

All your help has been really appreciated.

[Phlegmbot]

Sorry for all these additional posts ( my first paragraph disappeared on my last post, hence the repetition of the thank you line), but I hope it's ok that i check with you: Is there any reason the following drive would not work with my Dell laptop (a Dell studioXPS 1645): https://www.amazon.c...=A2WRERIMEQIKWL

[FreeBooter]

You are very welcome.

If you created Dell recovery media then you can install software's that come with your computer. The dell recovery media will automatically configure and install Windows OS you just need to follow the instructions to install Windows OS from Dell recovery media. If you make your external drive as bootable dell recovery external drive then configure BIOS to boot from external drive and follow the instructions to install Windows OS. The SATA drive you want to purchase will work with your laptop.

Edited by FreeBooter, 29 April 2016 - 04:56 PM.

[Phlegmbot]

OK, terrific.

I'll never buy Seagate again! My Seagate HDD isn't even 18 months old. My external HDDs are Fujitsu and 5-8 years old and have NEVER had a problem. But I'm going to replace my external HDDs as well because of their age.

I'm wondering if there is a utility you recommend that can check, or keep an eye on, the status of an external (or internal) HDD.

Please let me know, then I'll stop bugging you.

Thanks again, Freebooter!

[FreeBooter]

No you are not bugging me don't worry about it if you have question you can ask. You can monitor health of HDD with CrystalDiskInfo program with this program you can view the SMART health report of the program.

[Phlegmbot]

Sounds good.

Will try out that utility when I get everything set up.

The Amazon vendor that sells the Fujitsu HDD won't be able to get it to me until Tuesday at the earliest. They might not even get here until even later in the week. If I have any issue, I can either post here here or start a new thread. Up to you. But is should be fine.

Thank you again for all the help, Freebooter.

[FreeBooter]

You are very welcome i'm glad to know i have help you resolve the issue. You can post here if you have any issue i do my best to help you out.

 

 

Take Care!

Edited by FreeBooter, 30 April 2016 - 12:49 AM.

[Phlegmbot]

Thx!

[Phlegmbot]

Hey, Freebooter!

Hope you're well.

So, OK, I finally got a new HDD. I chose USB for boot option, and I'm in a Windows7-looking page (see BG in attached image) asking me to choose an image. The USB folder (with the Dell recovery info) is an option, but nothing seems to work.

My DVD drive doesn't work either.

I am now trying Startup Repair, but it's been running for now than 30 minutes (when I click cancel, it tells me the operation cannot be canceled).

Thoughts?

P.S. My DVD hasn't worked for months; I don't think it's a connected issue (although 3 external DVD drives I've purchased have all not worked)

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[Phlegmbot]

More photos...

No surprise that startup repair didn't work...i need to get to that disc image.

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[FreeBooter]

If you are trying to factory reset your computer and wont work then its the factory recovery image who is corrupted not much can be done for this error accept you contact Dell support and purchase recovery media.

[Phlegmbot]

Hey, Freebooter,

I was able to borrow an external CD drive, read the cd version, and install. Things are finally getting back to normal.

Thank you one more time for your assistance. You can have this topic closed.

[FreeBooter]

You are very welcome. I'm glad to hear issue is resolved you have a happy computing.