10 Elder

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46K Posts

January 4th, 2005 20:00

dimplemonkey.
 
How to configure a Dimension series system to boot to the CD/DVD drive.
 
But, if you wish to reinstall XP, then follow these instructions for reinstalling the operating system, applications and drivers.
First, you make the CD/ROM/DVD the first boot device.   How to configure a Dimension series system to boot to the CD/DVD drive.
 
 
Then you can use the following instructions.
 
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp
 
To find the Dell reinstall guide, that's specific to your system, go here
 
Prior to installing, remember to disconnect all external peripherals from the computer, except the keyboard, monitor and mouse. 
While installing, delete all existing partitions (Paragraph 5) when you are prompted, then remake and format
them (Paragraphs 6 & 7), followed by installing XP.
 
You will have to reload the drivers and applications, etc, that should be on the CDs sent with the computer, starting with the chipset driver.
After the installation, you will need to download and install the MicroSoft Critical Updates, plus any
other updates you deem necessary, also remember to enable the firewall before going online.
.
 Printing a copy of these instructions, as a reference while installing XP could also be a help.
 
Bev.

January 4th, 2005 20:00

Thanks for your reply, shesagordie.

I've changed the boot sequence at the BIOS level and it still will not recognize it. It tells me that it is not a bootable disk and to insert one that is. The odd thing is that I've tried booting up with a Win98 CD and it works but does me no good because the drive is NTFS formatted! How odd is that?!

Keep the suggestions coming. Right now, I'm staring at it with a sledgehammer in one hand and a stopwatch that's counting down to D-Day in the other.

January 4th, 2005 22:00

I have used the Dell WinXP Home AND Pro (from a friend who thought it would help since it works on his). The Win98 CD is the only one that appears to boot. I've swapped hard drives to check and the spare HD works. Possibly a bad HD? But what about the CDs that don't boot?

Sooner or later, I will reach a conclusion.

9 Legend

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87.5K Posts

January 4th, 2005 22:00

Is there any damage to the disc that is visible? Can another system boot from it?

9 Legend

 • 

87.5K Posts

January 4th, 2005 22:00

Boot the Dell diagnostics CD and test the hard drive.

January 4th, 2005 23:00

Realtime Clock - RTC Functionality Test
Status: Fail Statuus Code: DOS DDG-G SYSTEM 820 029
Device: Realtime_Clock Test: RTC_Functionality_Test
Release: 1073 Module(s): System
Msg: The 'Seconds' register is not updating. The register is not updating or
is updating too slowly. The part may be bad or the 32-KHz crystal might not
be functioning.


Does this mean that the clock's battery needs to be replaced? Is this the cause of my ails? A watch battery? This is why my system was soooo slooooww? Really?

January 4th, 2005 23:00

So far so good. I was able to boot from the Dell Diag CD. Currently running tests. Will update as soon as things are finished.

January 5th, 2005 02:00

I also got one for the hard drive during the Confidence_Test_Read_Test

Uncorrectable data error or media is write protected.

but isn't this an error that I could have also gotten if I ran ScanDisk or Norton Disk Doctor anyway? I would appreciate an explination for this error and the previous one. Thanks.

January 5th, 2005 13:00

Does anyone have any input? I really would appreciate it.

649 Posts

January 5th, 2005 14:00

If you can boot from the Diagnostics CD, then the problem most likely lies with the XP CD.
I'd call Tech Support with the error codes you got, and have the defective parts replaced under warranty.

January 5th, 2005 17:00

It's not the XP CD, I tried booting it up on another PC and had no problem. I think the whole PC just got totaled by whatever forces slamming up against it.

The hard drive doesn't work anymore.
The CD drive doesn't boot up or read anything.

Diags show that both drives are fine BUT THEY DON'T WORK! In an ironic twist, the warranty on the hard drive expires this month. Do I send this to Dell or the manufacturer? Is it worth the time and expense?

I have replaced it with spare drives and everything is working fine. I lost data and am wondering how long until these keel over.

I've never had a problem with Dell PCs in the past. Perhaps I got a lemon?

74 Posts

January 5th, 2005 22:00

since you got a lot of errors when you ran the test, i definitely believe you have a defective hard drvie there. if your seervice contract is still up, you may call tech support and ask for a replacement. just write down the error messages and codes becasuse the tech will be asking for that.
good luck!
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