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    Problem reformatting....

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by Lapx, Sep 2, 2006.

  1. Lapx

    Lapx Newbie

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    Hi. Having received my laptop a few day ago, I decided to reformat today to remove bloatware etc. All went fine at first, installation went OK. However I have now reached this point: Installing applications.... Please wait up to 30 minutes for the installation to complete. I have now waited for over an hour with no sign of change, I dont think i should restart the laptop because I am wary of any damage it may do. Any suggestions? I cant really hear the DVD drive doing anything, nor are there any lights flashing on the drive or on the laptop itself. (the laptop has not frozen as I can still moe the cursor etc..) My laptop in the M1710 and I am installing windows MCE.
     
  2. flawlesscomputers

    flawlesscomputers Notebook Geek

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    Restart it. CHKDSK. Reformat doing it the long way (not quick format). Reinstall MCE.
     
  3. chaingreyiv

    chaingreyiv Notebook Guru

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    did you do quick format or regular format? if you did quick, try regular... i had a problem with itgetting stuck on formatting 66% everytime and had the user switch to regular and it solved the problem. why??? i couldn't tell you, numerous tech articles say its unnecessary but who knows---- or try a diff install cd
     
  4. chaingreyiv

    chaingreyiv Notebook Guru

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    flawless computers-- checked that website --- they're only using 5400 rpms hdds?
     
  5. flawlesscomputers

    flawlesscomputers Notebook Geek

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    Who's only using 5400 rpm hdds?...I'm lost. Please explain
     
  6. Amber

    Amber Notebook Prophet NBR Reviewer

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    Guys please keep this related to the topic. Talking about 5400rpm drives is not helping this guy out.
     
  7. Chele

    Chele Notebook Consultant

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    I used to have the same problem whem reformating, and if you look very good all the time that spends on that "Installing aplications" screen it appears a comand window with some errors. That's because you did't install from the disk.
    This work for me so you should try to: Insert the reinstall disk, then reboot the computer, when the dell screen appears press f12 and set to boot from cd rom.
    Then where you're in the windows setup delete all the ones that say window partition (leave the other ones or look for the reformatting forum for more information), then in the free space create a new partition and install windows there. Now when you get to the installing aplications screen it will only display for around 30 min. Hope it works for you man!
     
  8. Lapx

    Lapx Newbie

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    Well in the end i tried to shut down, and the moment I pressed the button I went to desktop and everything seemed fine. Thanks for the help anyways! For the record I wasnt doing quick-format :)