Laptop power off when trying to use windows xp recovery CD

ProjectAi

ProjectAi

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Title says it all i have a older Alienware Aurora M9700 Laptop i finally am at the point i need to redo its windows install and clean it off from scratch...and it powers off whenever i try to use my windows recovery CD never at the same point but it never completes.

Seems to happen when i boot with any CD it also happens when i try to boot from alienware respawn CD's which is basically symantec ghost program with a ghost image saved of my comp b4 it left the alienware factory.

The HDD shouldnt be the problem because if i just boot normally into windows XP its fine its just the computer is so full of crap and a virus screwed up some files and it needs a fresh start.
 
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Hmmm that is very peculiar. Anyway you can put it on a flash drive and boot from that? Kinda extensive, but I am really stumped on it off the top of my head.
 
you may have to re-format the drive prior to a fresh install... if it is that messed up. sounds to me like "recovery" is not the answer for you at this point.
 
but wont i be left with no OS then? with this laptop all i have is my recovery Cd and then i have my Vista copy i have used for my desktop. I have the legit product Key for Xp professional though its a piece of sticker on the bottom of the laptop
 
You will have to wipe your HDD using another method. I had an Alienware laptop do the same thing to me at the shop. I took the hard drive out, raw-wiped it in linux, and proceeded with the Alienware Recovery CD install.

I know....WHY - oh - WHY in the heck does an expensive machine do that?!?!?! I'll research the machine I currently have on the bench and give you the reasons. Until then, RAW-wiping your HDD is a solution that will work for you.

Also.....Ubuntu's live CD has all the tools necessary to do the job... Your recovery disk will give you a fully-functional copy of the OS that came with your machine....so no worries!
 
Is there a way to get a detail instruction on how to do that ^_^ ive actually never used umbutu or linux so id be in the dark on how to do it lol (luckily my gaming computer is my desktop and i can still get help on the forums. just really need my laptop up and running so i can use it for job searching while i travel ^_^

Thanks
Plug
 
Still looking for a solution for this.... did not wanna repost the same thread twice on our forums. Have looked in multiple forums find lots of people with this problem (apparently Alienware doesn't want you to reformat) but no one ever gives a solution.

If i get no responses i may have to PM Angellas and see if he ever fixed the one he had.

Fingers crossed
Plug
 
sounds like a problem with the BIOS or a faulty optical drive.

do you know how to flash your BIOS?

also, it might be worth it to try the recovery disk in a few different power configurations. For example, without the AC cord plugged in and working off the battery, and with the cord plugged in but without the battery in the laptop.

-Blue
 
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reformat it. that or you can rage and smash the hard drive. did that once got a new one by the company cause it was "Defective"
 
warlock51[NOR] said:
reformat it. that or you can rage and smash the hard drive. did that once got a new one by the company cause it was "Defective"
Click to expand...

I don't think reformatting will fix much. If it doesn't fix the problem, he will be left with a completely useless laptop because the computer would not be able to boot off the windows install disk according to the OP.

Eliminate the hardware and BIOS as problems, then move on to software fixes.

The fact that you cannot boot off the optical drive hints at a hardware failure and has nothing to do with windows whatsoever.

-Blue
 
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