Windows Vista Installation Error Message

[DeVon]

I bought a Dell XPS Studio 1640 laptop. It was preloaded with Vista. The computer was doing something weird at start up. When you powered up, it would flash on the screen "installing 15 or so out of 90 or so updates. Then it would shut down and come back up. This persisted for a long time, so I decided to reload Vista and see if that would solve the problem.

I put the vista restore disk in and after the start-up screen, it began installing windows.

About halfway through this process, the battery went dead. I plugged it into the outlet in the wall and when I turned the computer back on, it went to the windows installation again, but very soon an error message came up saying;

"the computer restarted unexpectedly or encountered an unexpected error. Windows installation cannot proceed. To install Windows, click "OK" to restart the computer, and then restart the installation."

However, after pressing OK, the computer restarts, but the same error message comes up, leaving me in a loop. I've tried rebooting in the safe mode and everything else I can think of but nothing changes

What can I do to fix this? In laymens terms please. I am a little technoligically challenged.

Thanks,

DeVon Whittington

[KenB]

Hi and welcome to ExTS

 

installing 15 or so out of 90 or so updates

I assume that the laptop had a previous owner if it was doing this right from the start ?

 

Can you get to the Advanced Startup options by tapping F8 ( after switching on ) about once per second ?

If so there may be an option to "Repair this Computer"

If this is there click on it and follow the prompts.

[DeVon]

Windows Vista Error Message

 

Advanced Boot Options are:

 

Safe Mode

Safe Monde with Command Prompt

Enable Boot Logging

Enable Low-resolution video

Last Known good configuration

Directory Services Restore Mode

Debugging Mode

Disable automatic restart on system failure

Disable Driver signature enforcement

Start Windows Normally

 

No option to "Repair this Computer"

 

???

[KenB]

Outside chance - try "Last Known Good Configuration"

[DeVon]

It looked like the desktop was going to come up, then the error message again.

[KenB]

Are you sure that the recovery disks are for this specific laptop ?

 

I would suggest at this point that we remove the hard drive from the laptop and connect it to a working pc via an external enclosure.

From there we can test the drive and recover any data that you need from it.

 

Are you happy to do this?

if the drive is SATA ( not IDE ) then there is a very cheap enclosure from Amazon available.

[DeVon]

The disk came with the laptop. A reinstellation DVD of the Operating System and a Driver's and utilities DVD.

 

I am happy to do anything at this point, but you'll have to walk me through removing the hard drive. I have No Data that I need because I have not been able to use it very long.

[DeVon]

Anyone have a clue?

[KenB]

Hi again,

Take a look here - it explains how to remove the hard drive.

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/sxl1645/en/sm/hdd.htm#wp1109848

I think the drive will be SATA but take a look here - just to make sure.

http://kenspchelp.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=75

Assuming it is SATA then you will need an external enclosure to put it in to connect to another system.

"]click here

 

This is cheap - but it works. I have one.

If you are happy so far - let me know when you have the enclosure.

It will take a few days to arrive.

[DeVon]

Hi Ken,

I'll get on this tomorrow. Assuming everything is as you think, I'll order the external enclosure and be back in touch with you as soon as it arrives.

Thanks,

DeVon

[KenB]

OK - get back to me when you are ready to continue. :)