My son's Dell laptop has failed to startup about 3 months ago. On starting up, it will go to a black screen and hangs there for hours.

AA
What can I try to fix this problem?

BB
My plan if nothing simple I can try is to startup using DVD or USB and then reformat the hdisk. Reinstall Win 10.

* how to get the installed win 10 product key? (before I reform the hdisk)
* where to get the fresh win 10 os for installetion?

Thanks.

If Windows is Dell OEM just reinstall W10 proper version i.e. Home or Pro.

Thanks but where to get the Win 10 OS?

My laptop did not come with a Win OS disk.

Here can.

http://windowsiso.net/

You can create bootable usb using this software.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/wi...d-download-tool

This post has been edited by izzuddinzain92: Aug 4 2018, 11:56 AM

Many thanks! Will try them.

My 2 kids thank you in advance as they will be the ones using the laptop! Ha.

Welcome.

remember to format the drive to ntfs

Any update bro?

Thanks.

Not yet. Though the new laptop has G8 i7 CPU and 256 GB SSD, it is not as fast as I expected. Running McAfee took hours. Maybe that is the case for the first run.

Will work on the old laptop soon.

An IT friend suggested removing the battery (which is faulty) as that has been reported to cause difficulty in startup Dell and HP laptop. Tried that and same problem remained.

Tried F12 self diagnosis. All OK except the battery and hdisk.

For hdisk:
Error code 2000-0142
validation 58486
self test unsuccessful, status =7

Can friends here help in what the above is saying?

If I reformat the hdisk (to leave out the bad sectors), I should be able to use the disk with a fresh Win 10, right?

Thanks.

P/S Web checks on this error code ranges on loose connections, chkdsk /f, replace hdisk! Ha.

This post has been edited by plumberly: Aug 5 2018, 12:37 PM

@plumberly:

Error code 2000-0142 indicates that the Hard Drive Self-Test was unsuccessful. It could be anything like a HDD, HDD Cable, or connector on the motherboard. What you can do is: open the system, reseat the HDD and HDD cable. Again, run the PSA/ePSA test.

If you face the same issue again and your system is under warranty, then you can apply for replacement. However, if it is not under warranty, then try to search out the replacement for your faulty HDD.

Good Luck!

Stop using those links and those tools
1. That is a 3rd party website, the ISO is probably modified by the site owner. We don't know for sure
2. Windows USB DVD Download tool is only useful for Windows 7, yes you can use it to create Windows 8 / Windows 10 USB installer but it will not create a UEFI GPT friendly installer
3. Download the "Microsoft Windows Media Creation Tool" directly from Microsoft. You can choose the language and type of ISO you want. You can also use the tool to create the installation media but it won't be UEFI GPT friendly
4. Use RUFUS to create a UEFI GPT friendly installer. Only choose UEFI GPT friendly installer if the motherboard supports UEFI. If not, then just use the Windows Media Creation Tool

Microsoft Windows Media Creation Tool:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/software-download/windows10

RUFUS:
https://rufus.akeo.ie/

plumberly The HDD / SSD in the old laptop is faulty. Time to change it

This post has been edited by sHawTY: Aug 8 2018, 07:13 PM

Noted and thanks.

Do you mind to clarify benefit of UEFI GPT friendly installer?

Cant find any simple explanation on google.

If your motherboard supports UEFI, then you should use UEFI, not legacy
In simple terms:
UEFI boots all hardwares at the same time
Legacy on the other hand boots hardwares 1 by 1
Further explanation: https://phoenixts.com/blog/uefi-vs-legacy-bios/

However in order to fully enjoy UEFI, there are 2 criterias that has to be met:
1. The motherboard & the graphic card must support UEFI (most new graphics cards does support UEFI, only the very old ones doesn't)
2. You should only use GPT partition in order to fully enjoy the full capability of UEFI, not MBR partition

This is where RUFUS comes in. RUFUS will allow you to create a UEFI GPT friendly installer

This post has been edited by sHawTY: Aug 8 2018, 07:31 PM

Do not create the installer by using Media Creation Tool because that will only create legacy friendly installer. It will not help you create a UEFI GPT friendly installer
Only use the Windows Media Creation Tool to download the ISO
Once you have downloaded the Windows 10 ISO by using the Microsoft Media Creation Tool, you can follow the screenshow below on how to configure your flash drive to create a UEFI GPT friendly installer by using RUFUS

Oh and you should also disable "CSM" inside the motherboard BIOS as well
CSM is only useful if you still want to use Windows 7

thanks for the info
had problem with uefi previously

What kind of problem?
State your motherboard model so maybe I could assist

Hope that you can help me with this.

I hope by reinstalling Win 10 from MS or Dell, it knows my previous Win 10 data (activation code, license etc etc ) as I do not have them.

I assume these data are stored on the mother board and not on the hdisk. Right?

If on hdisk, formatting it will make the data "gone with the wind" ?

Thanks.