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    New Laptop + Fresh Install = Problems

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by Carbo, Aug 20, 2011.

  1. Carbo

    Carbo Notebook Consultant

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    Last Christmas I bought my daughter an L501X. After seeing how good a unit it is I decided to treat myself and purchased an L502X about two weeks ago.
    One of the first things I do with any computer is to wipe the hard drive of all the bloat and preinstalled crap that manufacturers love to load up. Never been an issue with this. . .until now.
    The new laptop came with a WD 750GB hard drive. WD used to have a downloadable utility to write zeroes to the drive and to test them for potential problems. For some reason they no longer do and so I used a third party program called KillDisk. I've used it previously, including my daughter's laptop.
    Ran the program, zeroed out the drive, and tried to install Windows 7 Pro, (64 bit, full version). Nothing happened except a white bar across the top and bottom of the screen. :confused: Tried several times but always the same result. Went back and tried to install the Windows installation disk from Dell.
    It started to install but then stopped about 90 seconds in and said something was wrong with the configuration, (sorry, can't recall exactly).
    Now I'm becoming frustrated and concerned that I hosed my new laptop. For no reason other than desperation I pulled out the memory, (6 G's), and reinstalled it, then popped in the Windows 7 Pro disk. Installed quickly and without a hitch. :confused:
    What the hell was that all about??
     
    Carbo, Aug 20, 2011
    #1
  2. sag_patel

    sag_patel Notebook Geek

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    By any chance do u have recovery media..try that..if that works then boot from the installation disk and it should give u option of formatting the HD so that u dont have to use a third party software.
     
    sag_patel, Aug 20, 2011
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  3. Carbo

    Carbo Notebook Consultant

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    sag, I do not have a recovery media so I couldn't have tried that. I'm just curious as to why this happened and if it anything similar has happened to anyone else.
     
    Carbo, Aug 20, 2011
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  4. sag_patel

    sag_patel Notebook Geek

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    when i did a fresh install i did not use a third party software to wipe off the HD. As I said I just used the installation disk to perform a clean install
     
    sag_patel, Aug 20, 2011
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  5. madmattd

    madmattd Notebook Deity

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    I've had no issues with Dells just doing a reinstall on Windows (using the Dell Windows disc as that doesn't come with the crapware anyway, it's just an OEM Windows disc). Popped in the disc, run the install, do a format when Windows Install gives you the option.

    My guess is something about your 3rd party program disagreed with your Windows disc. Odd for sure though.
     
    madmattd, Aug 20, 2011
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  6. Carbo

    Carbo Notebook Consultant

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    Whatever it was, since the install all has been well. Been playing with the laptop all day and quite pleased with its performance.
     
    Carbo, Aug 20, 2011
    #6