Vista recovery freezes during format

[Funkyecat]

I don't know if you can help. Dell will not let me sign in for a forum account.
A dear friend died and I was given his Dell Inspiron Laptop w/Vista on it.
Not knowing his password, etc. the laptop let's me in and occasionally defaults to the sign in page.
I was going to perform a recovery since I am preparing this for a charity (as I do for schools, etc.) During the Recovery session the computer freezes about 1/5 the way and I get an error message with no notes.

 

[flavallee]

What's the model number of that Dell Inspiron laptop?

What's the "service tag" number and/or "express service code" number on it?

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How exactly are you trying to do a factory restore in it?

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[Funkyecat]

Inspiron 1545
No service tag etc.
I was using the recovery partition.

 

[flavallee]

Inspiron 1545
No service tag etc.
I was using the recovery partition.

Dell Inspiron 1545

If the sticker with those numbers are missing, they'll be listed in the BIOS.

What's the exact Windows version on the COA sticker?

It's possible the built-in recovery partition is damaged or there's an unknown hardware issue.

If you live in the U.S.A. and want to purchase a factory restore disc kit for it, you can get it here.

Navigate to Dell - Laptop - Inspiron - 1545, then select the Windows version on the COA sticker.

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