reload winxp failure

Question

Inspiron 5000 laptop

Pentium III, 512 RAM, 10 GB hard drive

Windows xp system crashed. I am trying to reload the XP software from the recovery cd shipped with the system. 3/4 thru the load a window notifies me that it can not find a file that it needs from the disk (licwmi.dll) software finishes but the system is missing filles and utilities. i.e. system properties is missing: advanced, system restore and remote tabs, Internet explorer is missing and can not be installed from another source cd.

This is what I have done:

-reformat existing hard drive and reinstall OS

-replaced the hard drive and tried reloading the OS on Dell purchased hard drive

-downloaded and tried installing BIOS flash upgrade A08-I5 , receive message -BIOS not newer than existing BIOS

-download and ran latest virus scanner - no virus found in boot or system

Nothing I have tried seems to let me reinstall the OS. Please let me know if there other things I can try to get the OS back onto the system. Thanks

dspman · Answer

Others more knowledgeable will probably jump in, but you might start by trying to install BIOS by typing BIOSname.exe /forceit /nvram when you get to floppy DOS prompt after the error message.  Then try to reinstall OS with new BIOS.   Is the XP recovery CD the original that shipped with your system?  Looks like the missing file is a license file.  You may want to contact Dell for a replacement, or try installing a retail version of XP. Message Edited by dspman on 10-01-2004 08:31 PM

johnallg · Answer

The forceit switch is not needed.  Only when trying to change between Inspiron/Latltude versions.

dspman · Answer

Thanks, John.  But what is the workaround for the 'BIOS not newer' message?  Is there a good list of available BIOS switches and what they do?

Ed C · Answer

Yes to reflash the BIOS with the same version/number you will need the /forceit switch and some times to go from Inspiron to Latitude, or the other way around, you may need the /forcetype switch. Message Edited by Ed C on 10-03-2004 09:51 AM

johnallg · Answer

To move back to an earlier version or reflash the same version, use the floppy version (C-Series notebooks) or the unpackaged version (D-Series notebooks) and invoke the .exe file and use the /nvram switch to keep the Dell Splash screen.

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reload winxp failure

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