Windows Vista Re-installing Vista 32bit via DVD - Dell Inspiron

Hello, ladies and gents! Glad I found this place, plenty of info here.
Here's my situation. Purchased Dell Inspiron 1720 laptop around christmas time. It worked almost flawlessly up until Sunday night when the OS went corrupt - according to Dell Support. Fine, I will just re-install via the provided DVD. In short, here's the process I've been going through:
1. Load DVD > Press F12 to enter one-time boot menu > press any key to continue
2. Windows loads files > follow some more instructions
3. Prepare a partition by deleting Disk 0 (primary) so that the space becomes an "Unallocated space" (approx. 139 GB free). There is one other partition: Disk 0 MEDIADIRECT (approx. 2.5 GB)
4. Select the Unallocated space and click Next > Vista begins to install, slowly.
The installation process continues flawless until it gets to the stage "Completing Installation..." When the load bar (at the bottom of page) gets about ~70% of the way across the Vista installation screen, IT STOPS.
Just before it stops, a black screen appears and says "Preparing to load windows for the first time," and then returns to the Windows Install screen with the ~70% completed and then nothing happens. Is there something that can be causing this and what's the remedy to get past this point?

I've already lost all the data on the HDD, I really need to get the OS re-installed. I have many projects that need completed.
P.S. all external devices are disconnected and wireless is turned off.
Advise please.

 

Here is an exact description of the problem I am encountering (found from another webpage):
As previously it was taking hours to install and when completing it re-booted to give a prompt message to say configuring windows start for first time. After several hours the pc re-booted only to be left with a black screen with the cursor displayed as if it was trying to load into windows. At this point i switched the pc off after several hours and let it boot normally. I was presented with the windows error message that it wasn't shut down correctly and had to select one of the safe mode options or to carry on and start windows normally. In safe mode it gets as far as the CRCDISK.SYS then hangs up and when i try the start windows normally it goes to the black screen with the cursor displayed.

And this was the response:
1. Remove all external equipment.
2. Use 2GB of RAM.
3. Reset the BIOS via the jumper or battery.
4. Partition the HDD so that you have a smaller partition for Vista.
5. It should take no more than 30 minutes to install. This is the sequence: loading files, Regional Settings (Language, Time/Currency, Keyboard), choose partition, Drive Options Advanced allows deleting/formatting of partitions, copying files, expanding files, installing features, installing updates, reboot, completing installation.

In step 4, how small should the partition be?
Thank you

 

Hi PSUMATT

Welcome to the WindowsBBS!

That is a bunch of Cr*ap!

Do none of that except to remove all external devices including any removable network cards.

What is the service pack level of your CD? If it has none listed on the label then it has no SP!

If not, on another computer I would advise you to download the full SP1 and create a new Slipstreamed SP1 CD!

Here is a link outlining the procedure.
Slipstream Windows Vista with SP1 & Create a Bootable Vista SP1 DVD

This is not guranteed but SP1 had many fixes for issues like yours and you will be bettter of when you do get it up with SP1!

Mike

 

Thanks for the response.
I only have the 32bit version of Vista DVD reinstallation, and although not in front of me - I dont believe there is a Service Pack edition on the DVD.
Is the process on that link applicable to my version (32bit)?

 

Yes!

Mike

 

Although this seems like a viable option/solution, I'd rather try another way if there is one.
The only other access to personal computers I have right now are with two roomates and I don't want to install/uninstall programs and updates to their equipment. I'm not sure they'd be willing to let me anyway.

Could my problem be in the Partitions? Drivers missing? SATA settings?

 

I doubt it!

This may work, but is double the work!

Install XP (if you have the CD).

Once XP has properly formated and is running, then start Vista setup from the CD while XP is running and chose "Upgrade ".

Mike

 

Ok, I got it fixed. Luckily I got someone knowledgeable and comprehendable from DELL support to help me out last night. Here's the jist of what we did to get it working again:
>Insert DVD, Press F12 and enter one-time boot menu, Select DVD/CD drive
>Windows Copies files, just continue until reaching "Where to install Vista" screen
>Delete the Media Direct Partition (This was not previously done), Reinstall Media Direct Via other CD/DVD
>Load Drivers/Utilities DVD and Press "Load Drivers" button, had to just reinstall one of them
>Delete the Disk 0 Partition 2 partition, Format it, and then place the OS Reinstallation DVD back in the drive and click next.
Worked from there!
A DELL technician then continued to reload the necessary drivers via remote connection.

Hope this helps someone in the future.