Member Avatar for badbruce

Hi there wonder if you can help?

i've got a dell pc when started shows dell icon bar but then just:

no boot sector on internal hard drive

no bootable devices strike f1 to retry boot, f2 for setup utility

Been into utility setup and checked all settings are on factory default , but still nothing.

Can't find Dell restart disc either, but dont really want to loose all files any ideas?

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Dani AI

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This thread describes an Inspiron 6000 that gets to the Dell splash and then won’t find a bootable OS. noted BIOS was left at defaults and no recovery media is available. Replies pointed at a storage-mode mismatch (), using a bootable environment to copy files (), and a power-supply thought (). Below is a short, practical checklist focused on diagnosing cause and preserving data.

First, confirm whether the BIOS actually lists the laptop’s hard drive (look in Setup/Boot or Storage devices). If the drive is missing, treat it as a hardware issue: power off, remove battery/AC, reseat the drive and connector, then retry. Run the vendor’s pre-boot diagnostics from the boot menu to test the drive and memory. If the drive is detected but the diagnostics report problems or SMART shows failure, avoid writing to the disk and move straight to data-imaging.

If files must be saved, create a sector image to an external disk before attempting repairs (tools such as GNU ddrescue on a rescue USB maximize recoverable data). Alternatively, attach the drive to another computer via a SATA-to-USB adapter to copy important files. Only after imaging should repair attempts be made. From Windows recovery media, the common repair sequence is:

bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /rebuildbcd

Run those commands only after an image exists. Avoid running chkdsk on a failing drive until you have a backup image—chkdsk can accelerate loss on physically degrading disks.

If imaging and repairs fail, replace the drive and restore data from the image. Vendor recovery media will reinstall the OS but will overwrite data, so do not use it before backing up. If the drive shows physical failure and the data is critical, use a professional data-recovery service.

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Member Avatar for reganstar

I think you try to install a version of windows without sata drivers.Solution is: go to bios and are a setting AHCI Mode and put on disable or ATA mode. It should work now. If not find a windows with Sata drivers incorporated .

Member Avatar for Xlphos

You could get a Linux live CD to backup your data to an external hard drive.

Or you could install Windows 7 on a new partition.

I would back the data up using a linux CD if you have a hard drive anyway, just in case.

- Hope this helps get you data back.

Member Avatar for Jupiter 2

Check the power supply. You should have 600 watts.

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