Can't Boot Win 8 DELL XPS Desktop
 

Fairly new DELL XPS Desktop (less than 1 year) and was working fine. Then tried to clone a WD drive and puzzled over MBR button or other? Followed the prompts and when it started the reboot process we got the usual beep (hard drive found? then the usual DEll logo but no more motion on boot process or even sounds of harddrive spins.

Put in backup old hardrive and same result.

The biggest frustration is that it wont respond to any F keys like setup etc. this early in the boot process.

Any suggestions?

I think this is something to do with the master boot record partition on the hard drive. This is a small part of the drive that tells the computer what to do with the data on the hard drive and it is needed for Windows computers to boot up.

If I recall correctly, this partition can be successfully restored if it becomes corrupted by using one of the Linux disk partitioning programs. It will require a bit of techie knowledge to get it up and running but all the information needed is available on the Internet. A Google search for master boot record and hard disk formatting problems should find the information you need.

The cover disks stuck on the front of Linux magazines will also generally have the software you need included and generally an explaination of how to use it in a beginners section in the magazine.

Linux is a completely different operating system to Windows but because it is generally installed by enthusiasts over other operating systems, it has some very powerful disk formatting tools to ease the transition process.

The disk partitioning tools supplied with Windows are not capable of restoring the MBR if it has become corrupted.

My first bet would be that something was dislodged during the drive substitution process. PCI-type cards often work their way loose anyway, drive cables at either end etc.

Hopefully, the mains lead was out and no chance of a short? (Yes, I've done it - touched the body of a hard drive against an optical and, despite both being supposedly earthed, there was an audible spark, and consequently dead hdd).

My guess is that this XPS has UEFI enabled, and it won't boot off the MBR hard drive.
Try going to the BIOS/CMOS and changing the boot mode to "legacy BIOS" or "hybrid" (both, in sequence).

One could not even get to the BIOS to change the boot.

It finally it has now been solved

It took multiple calls to the DEll offshore support (the one with the heavy accents difficult to understand). They always go for the simple over and over stuff (pull the plug, strip out the memory, etc. etc.). When it of course still doesn't solve the problems, and they run out of ideas you get mysteriously disconnected.

Eventually after taking names you finally get somebody on the phone who gives up on the stuff about the user screwing it up and offer to replace the motherboard (it was only 2 months old out of their shop).

Motherboard replaced and it works fine!