Laptop does not boot up at all.

First of all run Windows 8 Automatic Repair:

If the following doesn’t work just boot up from the disk or USB drive you installed Windows from and do the same steps, except for the powering down 3 times part. This time you will get the Windows setup screen. Click the “Next” box on bottom right which will take you to “Install now” but select “Repair your computer” on the bottom left.

• Force Windows 8.1 to do so by pressing the power button as soon as you see the Windows logo and hold it down until it shuts off. Usually around 4 seconds or so.
• Do this three times or until you see the Windows logo and "Preparing Automatic Repair" on the screen.
• When it finishes you will see Automatic Repair, then “Your computer did not start correctly, etc.”
• Click on the “Restart” box on the left. Note this screen as you may have to come back to it if this doesn’t fix the problem.

Did it work?

If not repeat the above steps with the exception as follows:

• When you see the Automatic Repair, then “Your computer did not start correctly, etc.”
• Click on the “Advanced options” box on the right.
• Then the “Choose an option” screen.
• Click on “Troubleshoot”. Note this screen as you may have to come back to it if this doesn’t fix the problem.
• On the “Troubleshoot” screen click on “Advanced options”.
• Then “Startup Repair”.

Did it work?

If not then try Safe Mode:

• Do as above to the “Troubleshoot” screen click on “Advanced options”.
• This time select “Startup Settings” and on the following screen click “Restart” on the bottom right.
• This will cause a reboot to the “Startup Settings” screen with numbered selections.
• Press the 4 or F4 key, “Enable Safe Mode” and Windows will boot (hopefully) in Safe Mode.

Did it boot up in Safe Mode? If yes then back up your files, if you didn’t do this before the attempted Windows 8 install?

If your BIOS is not version A17 update it:

https://www.dell.com/support/home/nz/en/....

That is enough for now. Let us know if the above works. If it doesn’t don’t despair as there are other options that can be tried. Remember to record any error messages, etc. as they will help us to fix your laptop.

At the end of this, upgrading the hard drive to a Solid State drive will improve the laptop speed and responsiveness.

Good luck!