Trying to re-install Windows XP

[levinll2]

using the CD that Dell provided with my computer.

Unfortunately I have service pack 3 on my machine and after booting to the  CD that Dell provided I am getting a message that I can't install this version of XP (it has Service Pack 1 on it).

Is there some way to install the version of XP that is on the disk that I received from Dell ? If so, do I need to get a product key from Dell ?

[rdunnill]

You should be able to clean install. Are you trying to upgrade instead?

Also, if you're going to go to this much work, you might consider Windows 7, as support for XP is ending in three months.

[levinll2]

I"m trying to do a clean install. I get the following error when booting to the XP CD.

A problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to prevent damage...."

I'm not sure if my machine is "current" enough to install Windows 7, and I assume I would have to buy that. Trying to not spend $$$ if I don't have to.

[RoHe]

Always include the PC model in your posts. emoticon.Wink.title

Does the system have a SATA or IDE hard drive? If it's a SATA drive, did you change SATA Operation mode in BIOS setup (reboot and press F2) to RAID Autodetect/ATA before booting from the XP SP1 CD?

Do you have an internal floppy drive in this system so you can install the SATA drivers from a floppy diskette at the beginning of the XP install, when prompted to press F6 to install drivers?

If you're using a Dell XP Reinstallation CD to install XP on a Dell PC , you shouldn't need to enter the Windows product key, but it should be on a sticker on the PC if you do need to enter it.

[Mary G]

Also, you should run the Dell Diagnostics to test all the hardware including the extended hard drive test. No use reinstalling on a failing drive. If you find problems, consider a new computer.

[levinll2]

Downloaded/ran the dell diagnostic software that's available off of this web site, but its not a free piece of software.

Is there a diagnostic program that came with my PC that i can use ?

[RoHe]

If you haven't wiped the hard drive (and/or if it hasn't failed), reboot and press F12. Go to Utilities parttion to run the diagnostics.

Otherwise, you should find them on your Dell Drivers/Utilities CD

EDIT: Please tell us exactly what PC model this is.

[levinll2]

Thanks for all the help.

I'll give this a try.

[levinll2]

I ran the dell diagnostic utilities and surprisingly it didn't find any problems.

I don't believe this diagnostic utility checks the hard drive, but I may be wrong.

Is there a free diagnostic utility that you can reccommend that will check the hard drive for problems ?

I am unable to run chkdsk /f. I get an error message back that the hard drive is locked.

[rdunnill]

Are you running the install from within Windows or booting from the install disk?