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Problem with windows xp reinstall.

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3 replies

by mxiey2k

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Hi, all,
I updated my OS from Win 2000 Pro to Win XP pro a while ago (using the upgrade but not the clean install), I have some problem using windows xp, the system is not stable. I am having trouble to do a clean reinstall, would some one help me?

System:
Dell Dimension 4100, 800 MHz CPU, 512 MB RAM, 3 separated HDs, C:\, E:\ and F:\, floppy drive: A:\, and CD-ROM drive: D:\, I upgraded Windows XP Pro SP2 from Win 2000 on C:\.

Sympton:
(1) After boot up, Windows XP could not use floppy drive. I inserted a disk and tried to access it, XP showed a msg: "Please insert a disk in A:\".
1.1 Checking the drivers for floppy drive indicated it worked properly and driver was up-to-date, the floppy disk controller is Intel 82801BA LPC controller.
1.2 The floppy disk is fine with other PC;

(2) I tried to format the C:\, using the XP installation disc, but I could not do so since the System would not boot from CD-ROM or floppy drive. I changed the BIOS boot sequence but it still could not boot from the CDROM. I observed
(2.1) after boot up using XP on C:\, the CD-ROM worked fine,
(2.2) checked the driver of the CD-ROM showed no problem;
(2.3) changed with another CD-ROM drive which worked fine on another PC, I still could not boot from the CD-ROM
(2.4) The Win XP installation CD worked fine on other PC, i.e., could boot.

Solution wanted:
(1) How to make the floppy drive accessible?
(2) How to be able to boot from the CD-ROM or floppy disk?

Thanks!
mntdew

3 replies

by omegafire

press f10 during the dell load screen to get to the one time boot menu? If you get there just choose to boot from the CD rom drive.

by thechas

The first thing I would do, is to check with Dell for a BIOS upgrade. Make sure that the newer version addresses some of your issues.

Next, it is very possible that the Dell restore partition is at the root of your problem. You may need to delete or disable the restore / recovery partition.

Third, I would add more RAM if possible. Your XP installation may have been unstable simply from a lack of resources.

I would even go as far as to question why you want to install XP on this old system.
Microsoft is still delivering "critical" security updates for Windows 2000. So, unless you have an application that needs XP, I would hold off on the upgrade until you can afford a newer system or at least replace the motherboard and CPU.

Chas

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