Inspiron 1720 Vista Reformat and install problems..

Just curious if anyone else has had this problem with this notebook.

I got it just a few days ago, and decided too do a format right off the bat. I had no problem with the XPS 1710 we had too return, but this one has had a problem.

I do a normal boot from DVD drive, hit any key, Windows Vista Setup loads. Everything is fine, I choose custom, deleted all the 3 or 4 partitions they had on there, created a new base partition (Disk partition 02). I created a new partition, formated it, and began setup. It gets up too the last section, 'Finishing Install' I think it is... It loads the Video driver, system restarts.

The 'Please wait, preparing too start windows for first time' message appears. IT goes back too finishing instilation and just stalls there. I left it on all night one time and it didn't move.

When I tried too load XP, it told me I had no hard drives installed.
I finally noticed a 'load driver' on the windows vista setup screen when I tried again. I put in the Dell Media with all the drivers on it, it found something too load, and boom, it worked perfectly.

Any ideas what could have cause that?

 

I'd guess you needed to install the SATA drivers so the OS can see the SATA controller and subsequently install to the hard drive. That's the first step when starting afresh.

I'm curious tho, did you say you had to return your M1710? What was the problem with it? I'm expecting mine next week...

J.

 

you have to boot up from the media direct cd and partition that first, then you must reformat vista.there is a thread some where here thay describes that.i will try to find it for you

 

1) restart your computer
2) when the dell screen appears press F2
3) now you are in BIOS, go to onboard devices
4) sata operation
5) there you change ahci to ata


now, just save settings and restart.it should work.

rep me if this was helpful!

 

manu - I just found the other thread someone mentioned a bove. It was in the 'similair topics' after I hit submit reply . If I ever need to do it again, I will let you know if that worked.

Having too keep the Dell media direct DVD around for a reformat is kind of silly..

Regarding the XPS 1710. Nothing was wrong with it. They just mucked the order up thanks too our salesguy .

 

I've been roaming around the world for ages to solve this problem! Thank you kindly for such a easy resolution to it all You made me sign up on a new (for me) forum, which is great! I'll hang around here more often.

Once again, thank you kindly!

 

Just thought I'd reply back - after spending about 3/4 of the day trying to figure out why the inspiron 1720 would kinda lock up/go into a loop after "starting vista for the first time...." your solution finally helped me fix the issue for a colleague's laptop. Hats off!!