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Windows won't install on Inspiron 1720 Laptop

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3.1K views 6 replies 2 participants last post by  Macboatmaster  
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#1 ·
I put a new hard drive in my 4 year old Inspiron 1720 laptop. I installed the Windows Vista operating system. Discovered after it was installed that I was supposed to install the Dell Media Direct BEFORE the OS. Found instructions online how to install Media Direct if OS already installed. Instructions I followed:

1. turn on computer. Press F12 repeatedly during startup until "Preparing one-time boot menu" appears.
2. insert Dell MediaDirect CD and arrow down to "CD/DVD", press enter.
3. choose your preferred hard drive partition option. (I selected Option 1, to designated all hard drive to OS.)
4. remove the MediaDirect CD.
5. insert Windows Operating System CD and reboot computer. Press F12 again for the boot menu. Arrow to CD/DVD again and press enter to begin installation process.

This is the furthest I could get. It will install Media Direct successfully, but then I put the OS disk in and hit enter and all it shows on the upper left corner of the screen is; "Press any key to boot from CD or DVD...." It does NOTHING when you "press any key". I've tried to just install the OS and it does the same thing. I have NO IDEA what else I can do. Any suggestions would be most appreciated!
 
#2 ·
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#3 ·
Yes, I find it very bizarre that one would need to install a media disk first before an operating system. From what I have been able to find online, they all seem to require that (Dell computers). Must be a proprietary thing. Thank you for your input! I will keep plugging away with it.
 
#4 ·
It is, but have you read the link I sent you carefully as you will see that it is I think slightly different to the procedure you adopted here
This is the furthest I could get. It will install Media Direct successfully, but then I put the OS disk in and hit enter and all it shows on the upper left corner of the screen is; "Press any key to boot from CD or DVD
Click to expand...
as it is a three stage procedure, as far as I can see point 7
Once the hard drive is prepared you will be returned to the main recovery menu, remove the Dell MediaDirect Reinstallation CD from the CD/DVD/CD-RW drive.
Click to expand...
install O/S
and then
Once the Microsoft Windows Operating system is installed, insert the Dell MediaDirect Reinstallation CD into the CD/DVD/CD-RW drive.
Click to expand...
I am unable to reconcile what you are saying, with this procedure, but it may well be me that has misunderstood, as I have never as I say used the Dell Media centre

As I said if it was me, would format gthe drive and start afresh
 
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#5 ·
UPDATE! I got it to install the operating system!! (currently installing) I removed the battery, took the hard drive out and put it back in, put the battery back and turned it on, F12 for the menu, selected "CD/DVD" and it started installing Windows! Prior to this, everything I tried didn't work. Maybe that cleared it so I could start fresh? Anyway, I hope this works! I'll let you know if I have any troubles...in case you come across anybody else with the same problem. Thanks again!
 
#6 ·
Well done.
It appears it was stuck in the loop, not allowing you to select boot from DVD/CD most likely I think caused by the attempt to install the Media centre after the O/S

Whatever it was Congrats.
 
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#7 ·
catlady2012
I hope all went OK
If it did would you please mark your topic solved, using the Mark Solved button
Thank you
 
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