livia7916,

Did you install the desktop/notebook system utility and the chipset drivers first? If not, the rest of the drivers will fail to install. How to Download and Install Drivers in the Correct Order

Rick

Thanks for your reply. I actually did not install drives in order. Does this really effect? I'm finding out it might be the hard drive. It has 3 pins instead of 4, which might be why its not getting recognized sometimes. But even when it had 4 pins I was getting the error message described above. so I don't know. The laptop is old maybe its time for a new one.

Thanks for your reply.

I did run a F12, diagnostic. I am not in front of the laptop right now, but from what I remember, it did give an error like code PSA 1000-0146
 DST Log contains previous error(s) or something like that. 

So should I reinstall windows xp in new hard drive and then install those drives you spoke of. Thanks. 

 livia7916,

The desktop/notebook system utility and the chipset drivers have the drivers for everything that attached to the computer, like usb ports, wireless adapters, webcams, just to name a few. The rest of the drivers/software then need to be installed to make thing work correctly.

If you suspect the hard drive, the I would suggest running the full diagnostics.

How to Run the Dell™ Diagnostics Utility

Rick

 livia7916,

I think it's saying it a faulty drive. Try looking at this article.

Pre-Boot System Assessment (PSA) Diagnostics and Error Codes For Dell Computers

Rick

I think so to... I have been in denial but it might be true. Thanks for your help. Is there another away to test the old hard drive before I give up and install new hard drive.

 livia7916,

Put the error code in the subject and ask what it means. There is a member that knows the error codes and what the problem is.

Rick

thanks i installed new hard drive everything is working fine except

when i watch a dvd it skips jumps or choppy. Maybe i install wrong driver?

I've posted in another thread. I will post here again:

But I've encountered another problem- when I watch a dvd on the laptop the dvd jumps or skips like choppy. I tried going into device manager and uninstalling ide/ata primary and secondary, when I reboot it recognized the dvd but not the cd. Windows xp gave me an error message that cd is not compatible or something like that. But to my knowledge Cd/dvd came with laptop- this laptop, which is very old, was given to my son. So What can I do?

after the laptop rebooted, i opened the device manager again and under the ide/ata atapi controllers it no longer reads primary and secondary but it says ide channel and ide channel.

In the device manager under the ide ata/atapi controllers

ide channel

ide channel

intel (r) 82801DB ultra ata storage controller - 24cb        Could this be the wrong drive? I installed everything the way you told me. I don't know whether I install something extra?

Sorry again, i ran a fix it solution from microsoft and the error says

the software your are installing for this hardware 

cd-rom drive

has not passed windows logo testing to verify the compatibility with windows xp.

continuing with installation may impair or destabilize the correct operation for your system.....

 livia7916,

Installing the desktop/notebook system utility and the chipset drivers first is a MUST. They know what is attached to your computer and have the drivers for some of the attached devices, like USB ports and wireless adapters, just to name a few. How to Download and Install Drivers in the Correct Order

Your CD drive or DVD drive is missing or is not recognized by Windows or other programs and How to Fix Error Code 39 with DVD or CD-ROM drive in Windows XP/Vista usually help with the cd/dvd rom.

Did you install any Codec Packages? Codec's help to play dvd's.

Rick

I actually went ahead and installed cd/dvd anyway even though it said it might cause complications. I did install cole2k media codec pack to go with the windows media player, i got these from cnet.

also i did install desktop/notebook system utility and the chipset drivers first then the rest of drivers that are needed. 

I can now view movie but it skips choppy.

thanks will let you know during the week if it works.

Sorry to get back so late. Better late than never.

For those of you who have the same problem.  Follow this post. My old laptop is up and working fine. I installed a new hard drive and it works like new. I reinstalled Windows XP, all the necessary drives as indicated by Rick.

Rick Thank you again!!!

livia7916,

Glad you got it working! :emotion-21: Thanks for posting back.

Take care,

Rick