I have a Dimension L866r running Windows Me. I would like to perform a clean install, after reformatting, of the XP upgrade rather than installing over Me. I read several posts which seemed to suggest that using the Dell Reinstallation CD-ROM to do this may cause some problems. Is this the case? And if this is something that's possible, is there a post detailing this procedure (in other words for Dummies like myself)?
There is not a problem using the Dell Reinstallation CD but it will not be required on the first clean install of XP because XP will detect the presence of ME on your hard disk during the installation process. You do not need to format prior to installing XP, as formatting is a part of the process. See the "for dummies" procedure here.
I also read that updating/upgrading my system's BIOS to the latest version is required or at the very least a good idea. True? I have had problems with my floppy drive in the past so if I can't boot from that drive can I burn the bios files to CD-ROM and boot that way? Some guidance or the location of another post for performing a BIOS update would be helpful as well.
Updating the BIOS is a good idea. It is required on older systems, and I am not sure whether you would be able to successfully upgrade with your existing BIOS. You must have a working floppy drive in order to flash the BIOS, a CD will not work.
Thanks so much, Denny. So XP will remove all "traces" of Me as part of the installation, in effect reformatting the drive? In other words, I'd like to start with XP on a "clean" drive.
Thanks again,
tadsb
P.S. Your New User's Guide site is a great resource by the way, as well the section on Procedures for Reinstalling or Upgrading to Windows XP.
The instructions for the second version (DLCX_A14.EXE) state, "The Non-packaged format is intended for advanced users that only require the executable and do not require a bootable self-extracting disk be created for them. All other users should download the Floppy format, which creates a bootable self-extracting disk." Given that, it would seem the first one would be preferable.
Denny Denham
2 Intern
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18.8K Posts
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February 27th, 2004 15:00
I have a Dimension L866r running Windows Me. I would like to perform a clean install, after reformatting, of the XP upgrade rather than installing over Me. I read several posts which seemed to suggest that using the Dell Reinstallation CD-ROM to do this may cause some problems. Is this the case? And if this is something that's possible, is there a post detailing this procedure (in other words for Dummies like myself)? There is not a problem using the Dell Reinstallation CD but it will not be required on the first clean install of XP because XP will detect the presence of ME on your hard disk during the installation process. You do not need to format prior to installing XP, as formatting is a part of the process. See the "for dummies" procedure here.
I also read that updating/upgrading my system's BIOS to the latest version is required or at the very least a good idea. True? I have had problems with my floppy drive in the past so if I can't boot from that drive can I burn the bios files to CD-ROM and boot that way? Some guidance or the location of another post for performing a BIOS update would be helpful as well. Updating the BIOS is a good idea. It is required on older systems, and I am not sure whether you would be able to successfully upgrade with your existing BIOS. You must have a working floppy drive in order to flash the BIOS, a CD will not work.
tadsb
3 Posts
0
February 27th, 2004 16:00
Great, thanks.
While I'm taking advantage of you, is the version of the FlashBIOS I would use for my machine found here:
http://support.dell.com/FileLib/Format.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&Category=1&OS=NAA&OSL=EN&SvcTag=&SysID=DIM_PNT_P3C_L___r&DeviceID=308&Type=&ReleaseID=R33891
And which format found on that page would you recommend I use?
P.S. You were replying to my last post as I was editing my post to include the P.S. found above, please take note.
tadsb
3 Posts
0
February 27th, 2004 16:00
Thanks so much, Denny. So XP will remove all "traces" of Me as part of the installation, in effect reformatting the drive? In other words, I'd like to start with XP on a "clean" drive.
Thanks again,
tadsb
P.S. Your New User's Guide site is a great resource by the way, as well the section on Procedures for Reinstalling or Upgrading to Windows XP.
Message Edited by tadsb on 02-27-2004 02:37 PM
Denny Denham
2 Intern
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18.8K Posts
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February 27th, 2004 16:00
Yes, when you format as part of the installation after the installation is complete there will be nothing on the hard drive except Windows XP.
Message Edited by Denny Denham on 02-27-2004 10:33 AM
Denny Denham
2 Intern
•
18.8K Posts
0
February 27th, 2004 17:00
The instructions for the second version (DLCX_A14.EXE) state, "The Non-packaged format is intended for advanced users that only require the executable and do not require a bootable self-extracting disk be created for them. All other users should download the Floppy format, which creates a bootable self-extracting disk." Given that, it would seem the first one would be preferable.