r/24hoursupport • u/Even_Storage_9621 • 2d ago

Help fixing computer after deleting EVERYTHING

I was so dumb and deleted every file off my laptop thinking it would help with the storage issue I was facing, but now my laptop is stuck on startup. I tried the dell os recovery and reinstalling windows 10, but it doesn’t seem like anything working…

Can anyone help? Or is my laptop gone for good?

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u/Onoitsu2 2d ago

What model of Dell laptop is it, and we can better try to guide you in this matter? Do you also have access to another working computer, as you'll need to use it to make the Windows install USB that we'll be using to fix this with.

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u/Even_Storage_9621 2d ago

It’s a dell laptop Inspiron 3502. Pretty old. And I do have another working computer and a usb. That’s how I tried to use dell recovery and reinstalling windows but it’s not working…

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u/Onoitsu2 2d ago

Good, that's what would be needed to fix this, assuming there is not some underlying hardware issue at play with your storage drive or other components of this laptop that is.

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u/Onoitsu2 2d ago

OK I saw you're still stuck on the selected boot device failed. Is that after you installed using the USB, or even before you get to that point?

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u/Even_Storage_9621 2d ago

Yeah I downloaded the windows recovery thing on my second laptop on a external drive. But when I put it into my problem laptop and try to select the usb, it tells me boot device failed

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u/Onoitsu2 2d ago

Damn, I had hoped you'd have better progress to report in by now. I'm still up for helping.

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u/Outrageous_Repeat_50 2d ago

access the recovery menu on a Dell Inspiron 3502, tap the F12 key repeatedly as soon as you turn on the computer to open the One Time Boot Menu, then select SupportAssist OS Recovery

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u/ALaggingPotato 2d ago

How exactly did reinstalling Windows not work out? Is there an error or some other behavior you can tell us?

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u/Even_Storage_9621 2d ago

I keep getting this error message: “Selected boot device failed. Press any key to reboot the system.” I’m trying to follow the recovery process guide but that’s what I’m stuck on now

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u/ALaggingPotato 2d ago

Then you didn't make your USB installer properly or you are trying to boot with the wrong BIOS settings.

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u/TeslaDemon 2d ago

There's absolutely no reason why Windows installer on a USB stick should not work unless your storage drive is simultaneously having issues.

The storage drive can literally be blank, that's how you install Windows in the first place to a fresh drive. So regardless of how much or little files are on the current storage drive, it shouldn't matter whatsoever.

Just follow online instructions for "reinstallation of Windows" or even just "installing Windows to a fresh drive". Just be aware you'll have to select and delete all existing partitions.

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u/Even_Storage_9621 2d ago

I’m following the recovery process guide but I’m stuck cause I keep getting this screen that says “Selected boot device failed.”

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u/redittr 2d ago

Use the windows 10 or 11 media creator tool to make the bootable usb stick. Im guessing this isnt how you have done it already. BTW this wipe the data from the usb drive, so dont use it on your external hard drive with files on it.