Solved! Trouble booting windows XP on Dell Inspiron Mini 10 after Troubleshooting/ attempted system restore.

[xer0615]

Having issues attempting to repair an old dell laptop. Inspiron Mini 10.

The first issues arose after receiving an alleged update to Firefox..They manifested themselves in an error when attempting to launch MFF. That is to say, it wouldn't start. It said the runtime was not found.

I then attempted to uninstall firefox and re-install by running on IE.

While the wireless network confirmed connectivity it was unable to connect to any website aside from one of the default IE6 Re-Directs.

I thought it sounded like malware could be a factor so ran malwarebytes found over 100 infections. cleaned them up. Still no ability to connect to any websites.

"Automatically detect settings" was unchecked, so I tried that, no dice. I then tried everything from
here: http/ccm.net/forum/affich-19117-internet-connected-but-can-t-browse


After that didn't work I attempted to do a complete system restore and almost immediately upon entering recovery mode it gave me an error about the MBR having been altered/corrupted and causing a conflict which prevents the automated restoration from occuring.

So I tried 2 old laptop HDD's I had lying around, no dice both are physically faulty, giving 2 separate errors. No new laptops to try

Now I'm just wondering what are my options? I personally have a desktop with an external SATA port, is it possible that I could install a fresh copy of windows (something more modern, say 7) on this hard drive in this manner?

Or would there be some way I could fix the MBR from MY computer?

I've done hours and hours of googling different variations of wording of my problem and can find nothing specific to the error I'm having, coming to TH has been my last resort.

I genuinely appreciate any help provided.

 

[HEXiT]

to fix the mbr you will need an xp disk.
https/www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/bootcons_fixmbr.mspx?mfr=true

 

[xer0615]

there's no other way? It was bought second hand, doesnt have a disc drive and I do not believe came with a cd when he purchased it.

Ive done a little digging and heard about a free piece of software that might be helpful called Lazesoft, but the only sources I can find are softonic and download.com, both of which I find to be sketchy with their proprietary installers.

Is that a nons tarter as far as solutions?

 

[HEXiT]

there was no external dvd drive that shipped with that model. which means it had a recovery partition which is likely now inaccessible due to it being on the same drive as the broken mbr

i think your only option would be an external dvd drive. but that would be a difficult if not expensive prospect...

even if you pull the drive and install it in your machine, wipe it and install xp on it fresh... theres a good chance when you plug it back into the dell it will not boot due to having the wrong hal (hardware abstraction layer) drivers.. (xp will try to load the default drivers for the system its installed on first)... it might work. but its only worth a try if its your last option.

 

[xer0615]

Got a little update here.

I plugged the HDD into my own external sata ports and installed windows 7. The installation went without a hitch and I was quite hopeful

but I am still stuck at the same boot loop

It gets me to the screen with he blue "Dell" bar at the top (where I would normally enter recovery mode) and gives me an error and then attempts to enter "Dell PC Restore By Symantec"

Which cannot function because of the corrupted MBR.

Some thing I had read previously alleged that if this happened, it was likely the MOBO was somehow afflicted

Any ideas on what path I should take next?

**Edit: Oh I have my own external CD/DVD drive, the issue is finding a compatible cord, It requires Mini USB and all I have lying around are Micros
should I attempt to find a compatible cord, plug it in there and install?

as an aside: when I chose to install windows I had chosen to overwrite HDD3 (OS) and not the accompanying HDD3(DellRestore) partition; could that be part of the issue?***

 

[HEXiT]

you need xp mate. there are no drivers for win 7 for that notebook.

you will still need to fix the mbr before you install anything.
as it sounds like you have multiple partitions. if you dont fix the mbr the partitions will be unusable.


sadly mate its 4am ish here and im off to bed... good luck...

 

[xer0615]

"you need xp mate. there are no drivers for win 7 for that notebook."

I expected some issue of the sort may arise.

 

[xer0615]

Im currently trying to dig around, see if I can find some sort of disc image of the recovery disc you mentioned for this specific model. Thanks

 

[xer0615]

To anyone else who happens upon this thread, is
"https/restore.solutions/en/dellinspironmini10/" legitimate/reputable?

It was the second google result when I searcehd for restore disc images and Im just wary as it seems far too good to be true.

I especially am skeptical now. It says it offers restorations for vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10, specifically for the inspiron mini 10.. and one of the initial responders informed me there are actually no drivers.

Any further information/suggestions would be highly appreciated.

 

[xer0615]

I've come upon the solution by away. My initial instinct to install W7 instead of W XP has turned out to be a smashing success.

Simply had to wipe the recovery partition from the Windows Installation partitions menu, and install W7 fresh. Sound, network,. video all drivers working. already four or five updates in.

Thanks for trying anyway hexit.

 

[HEXiT]

honestly im suprised mate.
dell dont offer driver updates for there hardware after the warranty period.
basically forcing you to buy new when m.s release a new o.s. glad you got it sorted though...