So, I think I'm missing the Dell Operating System CD that came with my desktop. The Manual reinstall page says to put in the XP cd, but I think I need to boot with the Dell Operating System CD. I apparently have misplaced the OpSys Cd. Where can I get another one? Can I download it and burn it on a CD?
What model PC? Many that were delivered with XP have a Dell recovery partition on the hard drive, accessed by CTRL/F11 at POST (Power On Self Test) and this will restore the PC to the original factory configuration, and no discs are needed.
The owners manual just says its a Dell Dimension XPS. I bought it in 2003. Ctrl-F11 is not an option. When I press F12 to get into the boot menu, there is an option for 'Boot to Utility Partition'. But, choosing that doesn't do anything.
The model number is usually on the front panel of the PC. A 2003 model XPS sounds like possibly an XPS200. The Dell recovery was not on PC's in that era so the CTRL/F11 won't work.
Since the Dell Resource disc works, it sounds like the Windows XP disc may be bad. If you know someone with a Windows XP disc, even if it's not a Dell OEM disc, you can try that to confirm. If that is the case you will have to try and find a Dell OEM Windows XP that is the same version that you have or but a new Retail copy (a legitimate copy that can be activated by Microsoft). Dell used to have a way of getting discs but they have discontinued providing XP discs.
There is no model number on the front panel. Around the power button just says 'Dimension XPS'. On the back it says the model number is WHL.
I tried another set of XP disks, but still no luck. CD spins, but then shows 'strike F1 to retry boot, F2 for setup utility'.
When you say same version, do you mean product ID? On the side there is a Microsoft XP sticker that has a product ID on it. For whatever reason, it doesn't match either of the XP disks that I have. Do these have to match?
boisderoche
5 Posts
0
December 28th, 2011 00:00
So, I think I'm missing the Dell Operating System CD that came with my desktop. The Manual reinstall page says to put in the XP cd, but I think I need to boot with the Dell Operating System CD. I apparently have misplaced the OpSys Cd. Where can I get another one? Can I download it and burn it on a CD?
fireberd
9 Legend
•
33.4K Posts
0
December 28th, 2011 03:00
What model PC? Many that were delivered with XP have a Dell recovery partition on the hard drive, accessed by CTRL/F11 at POST (Power On Self Test) and this will restore the PC to the original factory configuration, and no discs are needed.
boisderoche
5 Posts
0
December 28th, 2011 08:00
The owners manual just says its a Dell Dimension XPS. I bought it in 2003. Ctrl-F11 is not an option. When I press F12 to get into the boot menu, there is an option for 'Boot to Utility Partition'. But, choosing that doesn't do anything.
fireberd
9 Legend
•
33.4K Posts
0
December 28th, 2011 11:00
The model number is usually on the front panel of the PC. A 2003 model XPS sounds like possibly an XPS200. The Dell recovery was not on PC's in that era so the CTRL/F11 won't work.
Since the Dell Resource disc works, it sounds like the Windows XP disc may be bad. If you know someone with a Windows XP disc, even if it's not a Dell OEM disc, you can try that to confirm. If that is the case you will have to try and find a Dell OEM Windows XP that is the same version that you have or but a new Retail copy (a legitimate copy that can be activated by Microsoft). Dell used to have a way of getting discs but they have discontinued providing XP discs.
boisderoche
5 Posts
0
December 28th, 2011 12:00
There is no model number on the front panel. Around the power button just says 'Dimension XPS'. On the back it says the model number is WHL.
I tried another set of XP disks, but still no luck. CD spins, but then shows 'strike F1 to retry boot, F2 for setup utility'.
When you say same version, do you mean product ID? On the side there is a Microsoft XP sticker that has a product ID on it. For whatever reason, it doesn't match either of the XP disks that I have. Do these have to match?