Dell XPS M1330 won't load operating system

I own a Dell XPS M1330 laptop and today when I tried turning it on it would not start as it usually does.

It goes to the usual Dell logo/loading screen but I noticed as it almost got the end it slowed down and took a minute to load the rest of the way (this part is usually very fast). After it finished loading it goes to a black screen where a cursor will flash maybe twice in the top right corner then it will not go any further, it just stays on a black screen. I know the computer is running as all lights are on and you can hear it, but it just will not do anything even if you leave it for 15-20mins.

I have to original CDs and I have tried to boot it from the CD but with out much success. I do how ever get a little further. Instead of stopping right after the Dell screen it goes to a "loading windows files" screen and you can see it doing so. Once that is finished it has the usual windows logo and bar that loads, though again after it finishes this it goes back to a blank screen.

Does anyone know what is causing this or how to fix it? I have read that it is probably a harddrive issue but not much on how to fix the issue itself.

 

I would double check all your hardware via the Dell Diagnostics. Perhaps go into Safe Mode by spamming F8 at startup and getting to advanced boot options and reinstalling the graphics driver.

 

Yea, definitely sounds like a hard drive, or possibly a RAM issue. The reason your BIOS is taking so long at the end is that it is performing a complete POST operation, checking all of the RAM. This usually only happens if you upgrade the BIOS, or if the power is cut during the regular POST.