Plant01,

I doubt that the Windows CD is really needing to be replaced.  Reinstalling Windows on your system will require deleting the partition, rebooting the system, and then reformatting the partition.  This will get rid of the error message and let you reinstall Windows correctly.

Steve

Hi M8

My ststem is so bad that i  changed the bios to reboot from the recovery cd and reinstall windows XP, but it actually looks like its the cd i have that is corrupt as when I tried to reboot i still get symc810.sys file corrupt and also sym_hi.sys also corrupt.I have been on the phone to Dell for over an hour running the diagnostic resource CD and she has come to the conclusion to send me a new windows cd .I am hoping that this will help as the diagnostics showed no errors with the actual hardware!

hi again

sorry to be a pain but i wouldn't know how to do all that without a walkthrough from somebody far more clever and computer literate than me.

Would that mean reformatting the entire hard drive and would i have to back up and save everything on my computer first?

I realize that would mean a lot of bother but as it stands my computer is relatively useless.

All Help has bean really gratefully recieved and i am in awe of your wealth of knowledge

Thanks all

Plant

Plant01,

A proper format and reinstall of Windows will require that you back up anything that you want to save.  Backing up to CD, or floppy is a common option.  Backing up to USB flash memory is also another option.  Back up only the important information like tax records, important documents and letters, recipes, music files etc...  Anything that cannot be replaced.  Do not back up the actual programs, just the information that you have put onto the computer and that you need to save.  You can reinstall the actual programs from their CD's. 

It does seem like a lot of bother to back up all of the really important information.  It is worth it, though. 

As for "wealth of knowledge", that is nothing more than being able to use Google and some other search engine software on the internet.  You will find that many of the regulars here on the DellTalk forums keep web sites full of useful stuff.  Folks like Denny Denham, Predator and many others host websites full of valuable information, troubleshooting tips, files and pointers to more useful information. 

Steve

Plant01,

There are a number of websites which will provide you with detailed instructions on how to reinstall Windows XP.  Here is a link to one such sites:

http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winxppro/installxpcdnewhdd/index.htm

Steve

hi steve

Thanks again for your help .So it looks like a format and reinstall then!!

Is that a fairly straight forward process and could you recommend a site that might walk me through that process.

Thank

Plant

:smileyvery-happy:hi all

Formatted and reinstalled XP it all blooming lovely.

Only slight snag is that the usb ports on my dell dimension 2400 are very slow ,would it help to have a powered USB hub installed to help this along???

Thanks for all your help m8's

Plant