Windows 10: Dell Vostro 3559 won't boot to Windows 10 or USB PE

Hi Guys,

Here is a weird one that I cannot figure out.

Wife's laptop, Dell Vostro 3559, Windows 10 Pro, 8GB RAM.
Stuck in boot errors one of two:
1-Loading windows from hard drive get the error - Memory Management.
2-Trying to boot from USB (Windows or rescue) it give the following - Page Fault Error in non-paged area.
Can boot in Hiren's or similar for DOS (not Windows PE) and it is fine, but even trying to load mini XP or Windows PE causes the page fault error.

Memory test OK.

She cannot remember what she did the last time it was OK!

I took the SSD out, and re-imaged it from a couple of recent back ups, but it still gives same error.

Any ideas gratefully received.

The BIOS is up to date, and I thought of downgrading it to previous BIOS but it will not let me, says BIOS downgrade not allowed!

Cannot run the forum exe file for system information as cannot get into Windows.

:)

 

Windows 10 update 1607 - constantly failing...

The Dell Vostro 3560 is not listed as compatible with the Windows 10 Anniversary Update. I would wait a few months then check back periodically to determine compatibility.

Vostro Notebook

The table below lists Dell Vostro notebook computers that have been tested with Windows 10 Anniversary Update. If your computer model is not listed, Dell is not testing the device, and drivers have not been updated for that model.

Model

Vostro 3458

Vostro 3459

Vostro 3546

Vostro 3549

Vostro 3558

Vostro 3559

Vostro 5459

Vostro 5480

Source:
http://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/4/SLN297954

 

Error code 0x80070570 upon attempted install of Windows 10 Home, full version, on USB

Last week, I attempted an install of a full version of Windows 10 Home on USB, on two different PCs, a Dell Dimension E520., and a Dell Vostro 200, Small Form Factor (SFF). On both, the Windows Setup proceeded, the product key was successfully entered,
but then stopped and was cancelled, with the message, "Windows cannot install required files. The file may be corrupt or missing. Make sure all files required for installation are available, and restart the installation. Error code: 0x80070570"

I have also successfully installed another, different full version of Windows 10 Home on USB, on another, different, Dell Vostro 200 SFF, so I don't think the hardware is the problem.

I just tried installing again on the Dell Vostro 200 SFF, but got the same error. I have Windows 10 on USB, as it came in the package. What suggestions, ideas or steps should I try?

 

How did you run the memory test? Which one?

 

Used the internal Dell memory checker. Also took out each 4GB stick and booted with only one stick and each time (with either stick) got the same messages!

I should say that I tried booting to USB with no HDD, and can boot but when trying to load Win PE or Windows setup/repair USB, get the same error 2 as above.

 

Update.

Did a swap of Hard Disk and Memory with friends laptop - and with the HDD and memory from wife's laptop the friend's laptop booted into windows without errors.

The swap also revealed that with the HDD and memory from friend's laptop in the wife's Dell, same error messages as originally!

Does that lead to the conclusion that the wife's laptop BIOS is corrupt/broken?
If so, can that be fixed, bearing in mind that the error message in my original post.

 

If you can boot into the BIOS and check all the settings then the BIOS is probably OK. Have you reset the BIOS just to double check? Otherwise it would seem to be a motherboard problem.

 

I can get into BIOS ok.

My wife now remembers that she got a message about installing Dell BIOS update.

I think the BIOS update broke it and it will not let me reinstall the previos BIOS.

 

In that case it could just be a case of getting all the BIOS settings to their optimum. One of the Fn keys is usually set to load optimised defaults, you could start there and then try adjusting settings for memory, a common one is whether XMP has been set or not. Use the manual to go through the BIOS settings and note any that could impact system stability or memory performance.

 

Thanks for all your advice.

Been through the BIOS over and over, reset,tried everything.

It seems like it is the updated BIOS causing the problem, but it will not let me downgrade to the previous (working) BIOS!

 

I suggest you contact DELL who might have a way of reverting back to the previous BIOS.

I noticed there is a previous version 1.2.8 available on their website dated 24 Jan 2018. I assume you are currently on ver 1.3.1 dated 6 Feb 2018 but if not that is the latest one to try.

 

Yes, was on 1.2.8 and it upgraded to 1.3.1.

I cannot find a way to force it to downgrade!

 

It would appear that this BIOS update is related to the Spectre bug from Intel.

It would appear that Intel had inserted into the BIOS the inability to downgrade!

So now myself, and it appears lots of other Dell owners are stuck in a boat without Windows!!!!

I don't know if other makes have a similar problem, found many complaints on Dell forum.

 

Found this solution which seems to allow the downgrade of BIOS:
Rename your downgraded BIOS 'exe' file to BIOS_IMG.rcv, the file format has to be .rcv not .exe, then copy this file to a flash drive (FAT32 format not NTFS), then do these steps:

• First you shut down the computer completely, and you should have the flash drive plugged in now.
  
• Then, while the computer is turned off, hold down the left Ctrl + Esc keys and connect the charging cable to the computer. The computer will start up automatically.
• Continue to hold down Ctrl + Esc until the BIOS Recovery window appears.
• After the BIOS Recovery window arrives, select "Rollback" and continue, the BIOS will be downgraded after the computer restarts itself.

My BIOS is now back to 1.2.8. Unfortunately my problem still exists!!!!!!

Back to the drawing board.

 

Sadly, some newer BIOS' have corrupted PC's according to a post on the Dell forum. On many Dell's if a BIOS is corrupted the only option is to replace the motherboards. On some new/newer Dell's there is a way to recover.

Here is the link to the BIOS recovery procedure that you found:.
BIOS Recovery options on a Dell PC or Tablet | Dell US


As it no appears to NOT be a BIOS problem and as one memory module or memory from another PC gives the same error, it suggests a possible motherboard problem. But, one more try, clear the CMOS memory, with the PC powered off remove the CR2032 battery on the motherboard for at least 10 minutes. Reinstall and see if that helps. About the only option I see now, except a suspected motherboard problem based on your reports.

However, you could give the Dell forum a chance. I am one of the user support "Rockstars" on their forum but deal primarily with desktops. There is a separate section for Laptop hardware issues.
Laptops - Dell Community