Please run Dell F12 preboot diagnostics. For the Inspiron 1420 follow the instructions here: [URL]#older-systems If diagnostics pass then recover any important data using a Linux Live USB: [URL] [URL] (video 9) Windows Vista is effectively at end of life and is not an OS that should ever be used again. There is no official free upgrade to Windows 10 from Windows Vista however there is an unofficial free upgrade path via the Windows 10130 Insider Preview. The Inspiron 1420 should run Windows 10 64 Bit without any issues. Follow the instructions here: [URL] [URL]
I'm trying to fix my friend's laptop and I've run into a dead end trying to get this thing to boot properly. It's a refurbished Dell Inspirion laptop (Model pp26L). Starting it normally results in a blue or white screen. When I go to Advance Boot Options, I've tried "Last Known Good Configuration (advanced) and it goes to this black screen and doesn't change for hours. I've also hit "Repair Your Computer" and it brings up a window that's titled "System Recovery Options: RecEnv.exe - Application Error" and says, "The instruction at 0x775c6295 referenced memory at 0x00000000. The memory could not be written. Click OK to terminate the program." I'm not too sure what else I can do at this point since I'm not too familiar with Windows Vista anymore. My friend can't afford to buy a new laptop so hopefully someone on here can help me fix it! UPDATE: So I managed to get "Last Known Good Configuration (advanced)" to work but it left me with a window titled "Startup Repair" that says "Windows cannot repair this computer automatically." I don't have a Vista CD or anything attached to the laptop. All I have for this thing is the laptop and the charger. The picture attached is the screen that popped up after the Startup Repair window appeared.
Windows Vista - Laptop Will NOT Boot Properly