I have a Dell laptop that died 2 years ago. I don't remember which version of Windows 10 was on it. I have a chance finally of getting it repaired. The Bimbo secretary at the shop hasn't a clue what I'm talking about, so I'll ask here,
If I get it repaired, will the laptop eventually update to the current version of Windows 10 (i.e. 1909)? If not, will Windows 10 Update assistant work? If it can't update, i'm considering getting a new laptop.
What 'died'? If it's just a corrupted OS or just a dead HDD, then repairing it yourself should be practical. HDDs can easily be replaced (preferably with an SSD). A 'dead' OS can simply be cured with a clean install. If the HDD and OS are OK, but other hardware 'died' then home repairs may be a bit more difficult, but not necessarily beyond your abilities.
Dell provide service manuals for almost all of their machines with full removal/replacement instructions (with pictures). To find the documentation for yours, use your service tag here: https://www.dell.com/support/home
If you were running W10 on this laptop two years ago, it is almost certainly capable of running the latest version. The oldest Dell laptop I have was built in Oct 2010, a Latitude E4310. I have clean-installed 1909 on it and it runs without a problem.
If you get it repaired and it still has its working Windows from two years ago, then the Update Assistant should be able to bring it fully up to date. Personally, rather than use the update assistant, I would use the Media Creation Tool to download the 1909 ISO, mount it, then run its Setup.exe to perform the upgrade.
Hi, there are several issues here.
You haven't said how old it is or what the spec is. Nor the estimated cost of repair or how much you're prepared to spend on it.
If, for example, the screen is lower resolution than you'd like, and the repair cost is, say, >£200, then you could get either a decent 2nd-hand laptop with Win 10 Pro, or even get close to a cheap new one, depending on what you're after.
For example, I bought this Thinkpad (see specs) - 2nd hand ex-business- with Win 10 Pro for around £200; intended for travelling, I use it regularly.
The issue of whether yours would upgrade successfully might only be an issue if it's relatively old and you're unlucky with the drivers provided by MS, for example.
I have a Dell Studio 1747 (2009 or 2010) that came with Windows 7 - 64 bit pre-installed.
Last year I performed a clean install of Windows 10 - 1809 after I had installed a 250 GB SSD and moved the HDD to a secondary drive bay.
I was lucky enough to locate all the drivers in my personal archive and had no difficulty installing them using compatibility mode.
Depending on the actual age of your laptop you may be able to download all of the drivers from Dell and it would be a large bonus if the laptop came from Dell with Windows 10.
Like Bree said, if the problem is something as simple as a failed HDD or corrupted OS, you could always ask for them to return it while you consider options. Then between Youtube videos and guidance here, just fix it yourself.
You could at the least report back with the model # and actual fault and you might be lucky enough to hear from someone experienced with the device and/or repair.
I thought this would be easy. Dell Inspiron 15 7000 series 7548
Here's the pdf file...https://downloads.dell.com/manuals/a...uide_en-us.pdf
i5, 1T Hdd, memory upgraded to 16 Gig Ripjaws.
As for not working, the power light comes on and thats it. It will not boot. No screen, no keyboard backlight.
Just sits there and pretends its a paperweight.
Diagnostic fee is $35
Last edited by milford; 06 Apr 2020 at 15:47.
If you were extremely lucky there might be an outside possibility that resetting your BIOS will help, but could be anything from a duff power adaptor (have you checked) to a dead MBO.
How to Reset PC BIOS/CMOS
Hardware problems need hardware solutions...
History- what led to this situation?
- power outage
- dog ate the power cord
- dropped it
- just didn't work suddenly
- other...
See if you can run Dell pre-boot diagnostics:
http://www.dell.com/support/article/...codes-?lang=en
https://www.dell.com/support/article...ows-10?lang=en
$35 is pretty cheap to have it diagnosed. I'd say go for it. What it will cost to have it fixed is another story as it sounds like a hardware failure to me.As for not working, the power light comes on and thats it. It will not boot. No screen, no keyboard backlight.
Update...
Just got my laptop back from repair shop. According to them, "motherboard dead. $400 to replace, and can't guarantee it will work." So it looks like I have $400 going towards a new laptop.
$400 seems to be pretty steep. Looking forward to getting a new laptop seems the wisest course of action.
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