I've given up, reinstall XP

Question

Dimension 8300 It always takes about a 100 tries to reboot system (so I don't want to turn it off) so I reinstalled XP. Yes it was supposed to be a reinstall not a repair. But I think the old XP is still on system all my old stuff is still on the computer pictures movies and such but I can't use the programs. I tried to fix the bios from the Dell site but it would not finish. I have bought 5 Dells in the past 3 years all with the OS disks but it does not work. I have previous posts in December http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=dim_cdrom&thread.id=128422 and all for NO reason the dvd started to work. I want a clean install.

User97502 · Answer

You have to boot from the Windows disk.  Stick the disk in the drive and reboot.  Hit F12 as soon as the system starts to come up.  You can find the instructions for a clean install by searching the support site.

mombodog · Answer

Back up your data first.   http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp

leviathan_thiem · Answer

Did it weeks ago

leviathan_thiem · Answer

Pretty blue screen! F12 either freezes or restarts or goes black. Has never booted up from disk even when it was new.I have left the windows disk in for months. And as I said before it might take me days to restart the computer after I'm told to reboot to try this or that. And nowhere on Dell site have I found a good way to reinstall like my previous Quantex and HP which I will be going to my old Windows 95 HP soon. Oh and the drive is not dead I think it tries to start the old OS that was messed months ago because it is super slow at scrolling and starting programs.

russell_314 · Answer

Wow you're planning on going back to Windows 95.  I don't think I could EVER do that now that I've used XP and Vista.    Here is the guide to reinstall Windows XP.  Print it out before you start.    http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?docid=D68EC8310D13B965E030A68F27286C5F&c=us&l=en&s=dhs   Make sure you download the network driver and put it on a CD or floppy because the Windows XP CD won't install this.  I have done this many times but if you're not too comfortable doing all this get a friend who is more computer savvy to help.  Good luck and I hope it works out :)

leviathan_thiem · Answer

NOTE: Dell PC Restore by Symantec is available on Dimension and Inspiron systems that shipped on or after 7/16/2004 in the Americas and 8/30/2004 in Europe   My computer was purchased 4/9/2004 so I can't use restore and as I said it won't boot from CD and now it is locked on a load screen trying to load a driver. Can I remove the drive take to one of my other 4 dells and reformat the drive or does that also take dos with it and then I will have a dead drive?     The 95 is just a good backup I have it to play doom, I have all of them only like 95 Message Edited by leviathan_thieme on 03-08-2007 12:07 PM

Majestic · Answer

Leviathan_thieme, the hard drive can be taken to any computer and reformatted.  The reformatted drive can then be reinstall in your system for the reinstall of the operating system.   Regarding your optical drive problem, have you tried attaching the drives one at a time as the Master drive on the ribbon cable to see if a CD will boot from it?  Prior to connecting the drive to the ribbon cable, make sure the drive is jumpered for Cable Select.   After the drive is installed I would suggest clearing the NVRAM by following the procedure I have outlined below.  If your USB - wireless keyboard in unresponsive during boot up then try plugging it into a USB port on the back of the tower.  On your model there is one USB port that is active all time and it is usually the one on the upper right. Reboot system and enter the BIOS Setup by pressing F2. Turn on Caps Lock, Scroll Lock and  Num Lock. Press ALT + E then ALT + F (should hear beep) then ALT + B Message Edited by Majestic on 03-08-2007 08:11 AM

leviathan_thiem · Answer

Thanks Majestic, the second try it worked. After it started it went right to update, like 80 of them. It is still slow, scrolls funny and the monitor is short about 2 inches from the top, wide on sides but the adjustments on the bottom don't work and also unplugging it doesn't work. I'll look in on the posts for monitors I guess. I'm still contemplating a reformat because it still is a mess. Maybe now it will do a clean install. Thanks Mark

Majestic · Answer

You're welcome, Mark   Regarding the slowness,  you might want to check to see that the processor speed is correctly set.  If you did the clearing of the NVRAM it should have defaulted the processor speed to the correct setting, but I would check anyways.  In the CPU Information sub-menu of the BIOS Setup the option for CPU Speed should be set to Normal.   As for the screen size, if you can't adjust the screen with the monitor controls then check the Display Properties to see if the graphic card drivers will allow you to do some adjustment.  Just right click on your screen and choose Properties and select the Setting tab.  The click the Advance button to see if you have a tab for the graphics card.  I know Nvidia offers additional screen adjustments on the tab.   Otherwise if you have the time, a clean install may cure your problems.

leviathan_thiem · Answer

Beep beep beep thats it right after I wrote my last post she died. I put a new drive in and nothing, I put in no drive in and it was the same thing. It's now not finding a drive. Could it of always been a motherboard? Should I look on another forum for motherboard problems and does Dell sell them and not for what I paid for the computer. I paid almost $2000 for a computer that lasted 2 1/2 years only for the media center now you can buy them for $400

mombodog · Answer

Yeah my 4 year old Lincoln is worth 1 fifth what I paid for it. Buy real estate next time. :smileywink:

Majestic · Answer

Mark, is the beeping in any kind of a pattern that would indicate an error code?  Also check the diagnostic lights for an error code which may help pin point the problem.  You can click here for an explanation of those error code from your model's on-line Service Manual.  If the error codes are of no help then try the trouble-shooting steps I have outlined below to see if there is any life left to the system.  I would start by replacing the motherboard battery.   If you determine the motherboard is the source of the problem and wish to replace it then try calling Dell Spare Parts at the number I have listed below.  You can also find new 8300 motherboards on-line at various retailers.  Click here for one retailer that offers the cheapest price I have found thus far.   As for the resale value, computer technology has changed quite a bit since your system was first made. SATA drives, Core 2 Duo processors, etc, are now the cutting edge.  As a result the prices drop rather quickly on the older systems out there.     Dell Spare Parts, Phone: 1-800-372-3355,Select menu item 5 to speak to a representative  Hours: Monday thru Friday 7am to 7pm CST Try clearing the NVRAM (CMOS) to see if it resolves the boot problem.  Possibly the information stored in the NVRAM (CMOS) became corrupted which is not uncommon.  Normally you would clear the NVRAM (CMOS) by entering the BIOS Setup, but it would appear that you can not do so.  The alternative would be to remove the battery from the motherboard to clear the NVRAM (CMOS).  With the machine unplugged from the wall remove the battery from the motherboard.  Then with the machine still unplugged press the On button for 30 seconds to dissipate any remaining electrical charge on the motherboard.  Then re-install the battery, plug the machine back into the wall and see if it will boot normally. Depending on the age of the system you might try installing a new battery when clearing the NVRAM.  A failed battery can cause a variety of boot up problems. A new 3-Volt, CR2032, coin cell battery can be purchased for around $3 (US) and is available at any Radio Shack, computer stores and most discount stores like Wal-Mart.If the machine still fails to boot then strip the motherboard down to the bare minimum.  By bare minimum I mean remove all expansion cards, disconnect all drives and leave just the processor, memory and graphics card in the machine after reseating them.  If the computer boots this way then start connecting each device one at a time until the no boot scenario returns.  This would then indicate which device has failed and is causing the problem.  Also try booting the system without the keyboard, mouse or any other device plugged into the rear of the system.  A faulty USB device has been known to cause problems. If you have more than one memory module (pair with RDRAM) installed then try booting with only one and then swap them around and try again. If you only have one memory module (pair with RDRAM) then try booting without any memory modules installed. Also try swapping the graphics card for another one.  If this procedure doesn't resolve the problem then you maybe looking at a situation where the motherboard may have failed.

leviathan_thiem · Answer

I removed everything still nothing the beeping was coming from the hard drive and the lights in the back green green green amber says other, I guess the computer doesn't know what's going on. I hear the beeps your talking about now but they aren't on the list like 2 2 2 or  7 8 1   The link you sent me has a motherboard minus the tray (I guess that's just the steel tray is sits in)  It sounds like my TiVo 9th tee told me to replace the hard drive, worked a year wasted that money and happened again told me to buy another went to another got a motherboard and hard drive and now the old hard drive is an external and works perfect. I guess I'll try a motherboard. Thanks Majestic

leviathan_thiem · Answer

I replaced the mother board and the hard drive, it's just dead so I ordered another computer.

Majestic · Answer

Mark, sorry to hear that it didn't work out.  Thanks for posting back with an update.

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I've given up, reinstall XP

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