Laptop - won't boot into safe more or boot from CD

[Smasher]

Hello,

Slight issue with a Dell Inspiron 6000 - suspect it could be malware/virus.

Refuses to boot into Windows (loads to black screen then hangs), or even into Safe Mode (loads 'safe mode' in four corners, the windows version number and the cursor, then hangs).

Would not boot off CD but having changed boot sequence to #1 CD/DVD drive it tried to boot, said "inspecting hardware" before again hanging on a black screen.

What I know is that the last time it booted up, a program called "Jar" came up with a problem and asked whether it could send an error report. After that the laptop didn't boot again.

CD being used to attempt boot is the Dell Windows XP CD.

Any ideas? I thought about getting the Ultimate Boot CD and giving that a go although I'm not sure whether the laptop is simply unable to boot at all, even from CD. At this stage I'm trying a repair of windows although next step obviously is reinstallation (data is backed up).

[dirky]

Try ubcd4win, but then if its locking up booting from the xp cd it sounds more of a hardware thing?

edit: warranty?

[Smasher]

Warranty is long gone!

Unfortunately the DELL Diagnostics CD has gone walkies otherwise could have tried that instead of the XP CD.

Still, it should boot from the CD - could a virus/spyware/malware theoretically cause it to not boot even from a CD?

Happy to try any other troubleshooting steps!

[pardal51]

not even safeboot with Command Prompt?

Try BartPE CD....else remove HDD plug into IDE/SATA to usb slave it to another machine, chkdsk, virusscan, etc. at least you will be able to recover data

[CWH]

Hi,
If it's still the original hard drive - and you haven't reformatted it, have you tried booting into the internal Dell Diagnostics? Off-hand, I think it's F12 when the Dell logo is showing; alternatively, you could try http://support.dell.com/support/down...14232&vercnt=2 and see if there's anything there that might help.

Colin

[singdollar]

I agree with CWH. Most of the recent released netbook come with the F12 feature. Therefore I am sure F12 is able to help you.

[Smasher]

Thanks for replies so far.

F12 diagnostics indicate all is well in hardware terms.

HDD (PATA) failed a couple of years ago so sourced a WD drive from Scan, consequently there's no recovery partition. Laptop is not with me but I will see what happens with Safe Mode with command prompt.

[Smasher]

Safe Mode with command prompt didn't help - still went to a black screen after boot menu.

Diagnostics ran again but this time came up with:

DST Short Status Test
Test Result: Fail
Code: 1000-0141
Message: No Drive Detected

[dirky]

hmm, what about a linux based bootcd just to see if it can get into linux? alternatively (or aswell) you could just try to boot and nuke it, dban.org - maybe worth a try if you have all data backed up

[CWH]

That test result is a recognised one on the Dell forums, the usual answer, is your drive is failing,while suggesting running a chdsk /r from the Win XP CD. Not much use to you,but it could well be worthwhile trying a different O/S. Alternatively, can the laptop boot from an external USB drive, some can, while others not. If you can, maybe try making a bootable flash drive and try that.

Colin

[BobF64]

The trouble with safe mode is that some things still load, drivers and services at least.

If one of those things is faulty, its possible that it could cause windows to behave this way.

[Smasher]

Update - removed HDD and it booted into the Windows XP Recovery CD and asked to choose either a new install or repair.

Switched off, slid HDD back inside, started up and it wouldn't boot off the CD, just went to a black screen (CD was audibly spinning in drive but nothing happening).

Then removed HDD, booted into the XP CD, when it reached the menu, inserted HDD and chose "Repair". Sadly that didn't work as it said no HDD present.

With HDD in, restarted, chose CD boot from the boot menu and it went to the black screen where nothing happens - left it at this stage for about 20 mins and remained on black screen.

Seems something is messed up with the HDD. Any ideas folks?

[pardal51]

slave it to another machine, back up your data. then run chkdsk to scan for drive errors.

do you have a spare hdd to slot in the laptop and try to install an OS (to eliminate board/IDE interface problems)

have you update the board bios to the latest available?

it sounds as if the ide controller has a problem.

[Smasher]

Laptop is with my sister and only place to slave realistically would be the local PC repair shop (don't worry, it's not PC World!). Will give them a call on Mon.

I have a spare HDD for the laptop here so can send it over.

One thing - the HDD has an adapter (LINK) which fits onto the HDD pins - anyone know where I can order a spare one so no need to keep swapping it between the two drives? There's a risk of the HDD pins bending during fitting/removal. There must be a generic name for it but Scan don't seem to stock it.

I'll send an ultimate boot cd over (this one?) with the spare HDD. That's hoping it boots off the CD with HDD still inside.

Cheers folks

[Smasher]

Okie dokie - now have Scan's amazing magic bridge product so I'll connect the HDD to the PC via USB and see if some data can't be salvaged before I format it.

One thing I'm a little concerned about is the virus/malware issue - if the drive is indeed infected, what are the risks in connecting it up to my PC?

[nimbu]

Its reasonably safe if you have a good piece of antivirus on your computer and steer clear of the autorun function. Ie in explorer right click the drive and choose explore. Some virii / malware add a fake autorun.ini so when you open it that way can infect your main machine.