Broken Dell Inspiron

J_B

Nephew has just messaged, his laptop has gone into 'automatic repair' mode "And I’ve tried all the advanced options"

It was out of warranty in Nov22! It was randomly turning off before, but now it's like this!

I think I will try reinstall W11 but I've never done 11 before only 10 - presumably, it's the same?

I have put the S/T into the dell site and it offers a D/L of <<Operating system recovery - Create a USB recovery drive to reinstall the version of Windows or Linux that came with your device.>>

Is it worth doing that or would the MS W11 iso be better?

Neil_Jones

Windows 11 install exactly the same as 10.

If you want to download the recovery media, that's fine it'll find all the drivers... but also all the preinstalled Dell crap you may or may not want.

Jumblebumble

J_B said:

Nephew has just messaged, his laptop has gone into 'automatic repair' mode "And I’ve tried all the advanced options"

It was out of warranty in Nov22! It was randomly turning off before, but now it's like this!

I think I will try reinstall W11 but I've never done 11 before only 10 - presumably, it's the same?

I have put the S/T into the dell site and it offers a D/L of <<Operating system recovery - Create a USB recovery drive to reinstall the version of Windows or Linux that came with your device.>>

Is it worth doing that or would the MS W11 iso be better?

I would always recommend downloading the latest iso  from Microsoft and burn to USB using Rufus as otherwise you might spend ages updrading from 1909 or what ever
Then run Support Assist which will give you the latest drivers etc
Personally I would avoid 11 but YMMV

J_B

Jumblebumble said:

I would always recommend downloading the latest iso  from Microsoft and burn to USB using Rufus as otherwise you might spend ages updrading from 1909 or what ever
Then run Support Assist which will give you the latest drivers etc
Personally I would avoid 11 but YMMV

Is there a guide to this somewhere - I've used the tenforums before. He said it was on W11 but maybe the devil I know would be better??

Neil_Jones

Here you go:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10

Or if you want Windows 11:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows11

Both links will let you create installation media either on a bootable USB stick or as an ISO fie you can burn to DVD.

Bonhomie

J_B said:

Jumblebumble said:

I would always recommend downloading the latest iso  from Microsoft and burn to USB using Rufus as otherwise you might spend ages updrading from 1909 or what ever
Then run Support Assist which will give you the latest drivers etc
Personally I would avoid 11 but YMMV

Is there a guide to this somewhere - I've used the tenforums before. He said it was on W11 but maybe the devil I know would be better??

There's an Eleven forum: https://www.elevenforum.com/t/clean-install-windows-11.99/

                                          https://www.elevenforum.com/t/install-windows-11-home-using-local-account.23/

Don't neglect to check the status of the drive beforehand.

J_B

Bonhomie said:

Don't neglect to check the status of the drive beforehand.

How does one do that?

J_B

I suspect there's a problem with the drive because it can't see it ....

EDIT - C prompt goes to X:\Windows\System32

J_B

Just a few more photos ...

km1500

I wonder why x:  ?

Have you tried disk management to see what volumes you have and what drive letters are assigned?

J_B

Going in to locate the Command prompt gives this message

typing compmgmt.cmd says

<<not recognised as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file>>

Typing CD\ and then C: 'enter' says <<this drive is locked by bitlocker encryption. You must unlock this drive freom control panel>>