Dell complaints

[Rocke_T_Sinetist]

The Dell utility doesn't read the entire drive, it spot-reads it. If the boot sector is damaged, Windows doesn't recognize itself and becomes unrepairable.

But data sectors may still be good. Look for NT Reader. It's a free bootable utility that can read NTFS. It can also copy files that are still readable. You may have to pay the vendor to get the copy utility. The damage may also be such that NT Reader won't see anything either.

Not much to installing Windows, it pretty much does itself. You also have the Dell Resource disc which contains the drivers (you do, right?). If not, it's somewhat of a chore collecting all the drivers from archives using a working machine. Can still be done, knowing which hardware you have, but not all of it is clearly identified. Like, you might spot a Sigmatel audio chip, but not know which one it is.

Dell's archive may or may not be helpful. I've learned never to expect much from Dell; once they have your money you pretty much cease to exist as far as they're concerned.
_________________
Rocke T Sinetist
as in, 'it doesn't take a...'

[2big4life]

just found your wedsite and can't believe some of the stuff about Dell. My story is my Mums computer has been slowing down and like a good son i took it to install a fresh OS XP on it and upgrade the RAM. My brother heard about this and he also left out his computer.

The first computer reformat and copy over the files no problem, once is reboot it got to about 80 - 90% through the BIOS loading and starting rebooting. After a couple of hours of reinstalling and chkdsk /R,P i started on the second computer guess what happen? Both harddrives are Maxtor. I though this was an easy fix but after reading your comments it looks like i will be ordering a few new harddrives.

I just wondering it there anyway of patching the hardrives until i get new ones??

[Rocke_T_Sinetist]

Patch? No. Futile. If a fresh install still has problems, the drive is discovering errors faster than it can relocate them.
_________________
Rocke T Sinetist
as in, 'it doesn't take a...'