trying to reinstall operating system

Question

I was trying to reinstall the operating system on my Dimesion 3000 with the reinstallation CD. When I turn the computer on the screen says: Diskette drive 0 seek failure Error loading operating system When I turn the computer on and press F 12 to boot device menu I go to choice 4, IDE CD-ROM Device, press enter and it says: Press any key to boot from CD.....Error loading operating system Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

kkotharu · Answer

Hi   It might be a good idea to check if the Hard Drive is detected in the BIOS. F2 at Dell screen and go to drive configuration and check if the HDD is detected(it should show a valid drive/serial number)..are we pressing any key on the keyboard the moment we see the message that says 'Press any key to boot from CD...' coz this doesnot stay on for too long and if we donot press a key it will try to boot from the HDD which obviously is either not detected or the OS is gone for a toss..check the HDD detection in the BIOS and if it detected try the OS reinstallation from the cd..dont forget to press the key almost immediately as you see that message..   regs KK

bbvanatta · Answer

I did that and now it seems my computer is froze up and it it is saying on the top of the screen Windows Xp Home Edition Setup and at the bottom of the screen it says: creating list of files to be copied, it stayed like that all night...what next?

Flooby · Answer

Sounds like the reinstallation has failed.  It might help if you identified the specific system model to which you're referring, but for starters, have you followed the recommended steps for this process that are available via the Technical Support button above left?

kkotharu · Answer

Could you post your system model and config...if you have more than one memory modules remove all the memory and try with 1 module(assuming each module is atleast 256mb)..it is a known issue that if there is a problem while the files are being copied during the setup if it is not the CD it is the MEMORY..all this if the HDD is not the point of failure..so if the HDD is detected in the system setup let us try the diags on the HDD..running a custom test on the HDD from the utility partition(F12 at the Dell screen and select the option 'Boot to Utility Partition'-->Custom Test-->HDD).If this test reports quite a few errors then may be the HDD needs a replacement..would appreciate if u can post your system details.. Message Edited by kkotharu on 11-02-2006 04:25 PM

maddy78 · Answer

Hi Bbvanatta,   Diskette drive 0 seek failure could be because, the floppy drive in system setup is enabled and your system may not have a floppy drive at all. You can go to system setup by pressing F2 on Dell logo and then turn off the diskette drive under drives section.   When you the message 'press any key to boot through cd rom drive' make sure you are pressing the 'space bar key'. It will definitely boot through the reinstallation cd.   Happy troubleshooting.   Cheers, Maddy.

Windows General

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