Thanks, bootlog identified the offender as:

 

ACPI Multiprocessor x64-based PC

 

I gather that has something to do with the processor and I need to find an updated driver of some sort?

 

 

Update,

 

I disabled the Dual core feature of the processor, and the system will now boot to OS normally, so I guess it has something to do with the Dual Core of my Pentium D.

 

Is that a driver I should be able to get from Intel?

 

Enable boot logging, this may capture the problem driver. You should be able to enable it from the Windows Advanced screen  F8

 

http://www.watchingthenet.com/how-to-enable-boot-logging-for-fixing-startup-problems-in-windows.html

Probably has more to do with ACPI (HAL), the installation did not identify the system bios properly during installation, this is a problem that can be remedied during setup, requires a reinstall though.

 

Force a system HAL during set up, scroll down to "Force in a system HAL"

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/299340/en-us

 

I think you need to select "ACPI Uniprocessor PC"  during modified setup, but you may have to try other selections (MPS Multiprocessor ) to get it to boot properly.

 

Mps selection may work, but you will not have any of the ACPI functions

http://www.acpi.info/

Just so you know whether you are getting all the drivers you need, the list for the Dim9150 (aka XPS 400) is:

• Dell Desktop System Software
• Intel® chipset drivers for ICH7 systems
• PCI Express® x16 video controller driver
• SigmaTel® STA9220 driver
• Intel 82562GZ 10/100 Ethernet controller driver
• Intel 82573L Gigabit Ethernet controller (Dimension™ 9150 / XPS™ 400 only)
• Drivers for any PCI or PCI Express cards installed

I don't know if there is an XP64 version of hte Desktop System Software, however, and that lack might be contributing to the problems you are running into.  Checking the support site I don't see an option for XP 64 drivers at all (I didn't think they would be there, but I wanted to double check as I've been wrong on things before).

 

I will try the reinstall of the OS and force the HAL.

 

The one Issue I have is that even though the 9150 is a 64 bit hardware system, DELL has no 64 bit drivers on their website for it.  Any reason why?

 

I will inform on my success or failure.

 

 

Thanks

Garry

 

Ok final update as the system is now running.

 

I did not do an OS reinstall, but I did take the opportunity to update the BIOS (A00 to A07), and also did some Windows updates.  My guess is the BIOS update was what fixed the issue.  After doing that update I turned the Multi Proccessor function back on and Volia, it booted just fine and shows two "processors" in task manager.

 

Thanks for all your help though, I would not have thunk to turn off that function to allow me to boot up and do other trouble shooting.

 

Case closed.

 

way to go Gary, glad you got it.

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@GSchaffel wrote:

The one Issue I have is that even though the 9150 is a 64 bit hardware system, DELL has no 64 bit drivers on their website for it.  Any reason why?

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We would only post drivers for an OS option we sold the computer with (to someone, not necessarily you :)).  To the best of my knowledge we do not sell (non-server) systems with a 64-bit OS (and I'm not sure about servers), which is why there arent' any 64 bit drivers available on the site.

 

Considering how many people are wanting to run 64 bit OSs recently, however, I plan to bring the topic up again and see if any body who can make the decision wants to try selling 64bit Windows now.  I know part of the reason we haven't done so before was lack of drivers.  It has been a while since that decision was made, so it is possible the "missing" drivers are available now.  I can't promise anything, however.