Dell uses cable select jumper setting on all drives (sata not included), so it is the position on the cable that determines Master/Slave.  Dell uses the master (end position) as the only bootable optical drive, and yours was dead.

 

Glad you got it going.  :smileyhappy:

It may be too late, but first find out if computer has Dell PC Restore by Symantec utility

 

This tool, if available, restores the PC system to “out of box” condition & only takes 10 minutes to complete.

 

Procedures for using Dell PC Restore by Symantec utility & also clean install procedure are here

The link also includes a step-by-step clean install procedure, this one

 

Thanks for the teach mobodog.  I'll remember, if I should ever again volunteer to help a friend with a Dell.  It's humming along rinstalling now:)

 

On the reboot after loading windows files, it stopped at a screen saying it could not find secondary slave and to hit F1 to continue....I did and so far so good:)

 

Should I disable the non-working optic drive in the bios to keep from getting a msg about missing secondary drive?

 

Man, what a day:):)

"Should I disable the non-working optic drive in the bios to keep from getting a msg about missing secondary drive?"

 

Yes, you are a fast learner, or smarter than I assume.  :smileywink:

 

Don't forget to get all the Windows updates.

Try swapping the data cables on the optical drives, I think the working drive needs to be on the end of the data cable, not the middle position.

cool!  Thanks again mobodog for the excellent help :):smileyvery-happy:

 mombodog....You're absolutely correct.  I did as you suggested and that did the trick:).

 

Thanks very much for the help and all the responders.  I've been at this reinstall attempt for 6 hours :)...

 

I know...should have asked for your help earlier :)

 

Thanks again :)