Trying to upgrade Windows 10

See
https://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/19/sln309623/understanding-beep-codes-on-a-dell-notebook-pc?lang=en

Ben

Ben Myers said:

See
https://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/19/sln309623/understanding-beep-codes-on-a-dell-notebook-pc?lang=en

Ben

Thanks for the link, not sure if it matters but my model is: 15R M5O1R. It still looks like it's the CPU.

lx07 said:

No.

Running an upgrade is easy. There is nothing complicated about it at all.

All you do is mount the ISO (easy you just double click on it) and then click on "setup.exe". Again you just double click on it. It is almost impossible (even theoretically) to click the wrong button as it says "Install".

You don't need to run anything elevated and I can't imagine even theoretically how you cloud make it fail. You would have to really try hard to balls it up.

Except that each time I try to install it goes through the motions and then fails "There is a problem with the PC" it is this message that got me to the Elevated Command Prompt.

Well it would appear that the cost of repair on my 10-year old Dell laptop is beyond reason, getting a new CPU would cost about the same or more then a new laptop. And getting a used CPU is not a good idea for various reasons.

So, looks like it's shopping time.

Were there error codes when running the Dell diagnostics?

zbook said:

Were there error codes when running the Dell diagnostics?

I am not able to run Dell Diagnostics, I cannot get the laptop to boot normally or in Safe mode. I've tried all the methods for booting Power button with Fn key, hard power-up. All I get is the 7 beeps & a black screen. An when I hold down the power button the button light goes off.

These are links on POSTS.
As you concluded the 7 beeps = problematic CPU:
What is POST?
Computer POST and beep codes
POST troubleshooting steps

Dell beep codes

Beep Code	Description
1 beep	BIOS ROM corruption or failure.
2 beeps	Memory (RAM) not detected.
3 beeps	Motherboard failure.
4 beeps	Memory (RAM) failure.
5 beeps	CMOS battery failure.
6 beeps	Video card failure.
7 beeps	Bad processor (CPU).

For other Dell beep codes, please refer to Dell's beep codes and PSA diagnostics chart page.

zbook said:

These are links on POSTS.
As you concluded the 7 beeps = problematic CPU:
What is POST?
Computer POST and beep codes
POST troubleshooting steps

Dell beep codes

Beep Code	Description
1 beep	BIOS ROM corruption or failure.
2 beeps	Memory (RAM) not detected.
3 beeps	Motherboard failure.
4 beeps	Memory (RAM) failure.
5 beeps	CMOS battery failure.
6 beeps	Video card failure.
7 beeps	Bad processor (CPU).

For other Dell beep codes, please refer to Dell's beep codes and PSA diagnostics chart page.

Thanks much for the info, but unfortunately I am not tech savoy enough to go deep inside the laptop - I can try the memory sticks - but the cost of replacing the CPU or any type of professional servicing on a 10-year old laptop is just not cost effective.

I am told that with all the advances in 10 years - what I have is considered antique and the CPU is not readily available anymore.

These are similar products suggested by Dell:
Inspiron 15R Laptop Available With Touch Screen | Dell United States

zbook said:

These are similar products suggested by Dell:
Inspiron 15R Laptop Available With Touch Screen | Dell United States

Thanks for the info. I might take the laptop to Computer Microcenter, to be looked at - they are in my area.