Clean Windows Install on Dimension 9100, a problem?

You have a Raid configuration on a 9100?  Why?

If so, you will need the raid driver to reinstall the OS.  Just set the BIOS to make the CD the first device and use your XP cd as the source.

I did a 9100 clean reinstall with no problems with the XP reinstallation disk and the drivers disk.  Why are you reinstalling?  As to your Raid driver issue, that makes no sense if you only have one hard disk. You could turn off any aspect of Raid in the bios if indeed, something is turned on.  Why don't you call tech support to discuss with them on this question.

jmwills,

I'm not sure. All I know is that I was checking the Bios out because I wanted to make the CD rom drive the first drive and as I was looking at the Specs, it said there that Raid was on, and it starts up at every boot. Someone told me that it could be turned off because I only have one hard drive, but I don't know why Dell put it there. Ask other people, they will tell you the same thing. And since I"m not familiar with changing things in the Bios, I am going to leave it alone for now.

Message Edited by robinhood42 on 08-07-2005 12:47 PM

europa303,

 

Haven't you read all the complaints about people trying to do a clean install on the 9100 and then having the computer stop working when the install is almost done? There were tons of complaints that I read through, and I don't want to take that chance right now, even though I would like to do a clean install and get rid of some of this junk software I don't need. And I only have the Windows CD, I don't have the driver cd. Go to the General Hardware forum and see all the complaints there are.

About the Raid driver. All I know is that in the Bios it says Raid on-startup at every boot. I've been told that this can be turned off, that it really doesn't matter. However, since I am not familiar with Raid drivers, I want to get more information before I touch the settings.

Message Edited by robinhood42 on 08-07-2005 12:48 PM

rollainm,

I do have the Windows CD for the 9100, but not the drivers. Would Dell send them to me if I asked them? I know they are downloadable at the Dell drivers site, but there are so many drivers listed for the 9100, I'm not sure which ones I need.

Robin

 

I just talked with them through the Chat. They are going to send me the disk with the drivers on them. I won't have to pay for it. I also have the OS cd too. The only things I don't have now are the disks for the software that came with the pc. Well, I do have the soundblaster cd, but that is it. Maybe the rest is on the Window's cd. This pc has a newer version of Sonic. I guess I'll have to back up the program if I want it in case it needs to be reinstalled for some reason.

Have you heard anything else about the problems people have been having with doing a clean install on the 9100 and ending up having the computer freeze? I know a lot of people have been complaining, but I was wondering if Dell knew about it and was working on a fix.

Robinhood, I read the forums daily and most of the complaints concern Dell not sending the disks with a new computer and not being able to create an OS disk.  You must be reading from another location that I see as to reinstalling not completing.  Nevertheless, I don't recall seeing why you want or need to do a reinstall.  You should ask Dell to send you disks for all the original software that came on your machine.  You're entitled to it.  I did and all were sent when I had to reinstall due to a bad new hard drive.  

I remove a bunch of stuff too using Add/Remove programs, but if your computer is working well I think you'd be making a mistake to wipe it all out and start over.  That's looking for trouble.  Also go into msconfig and turn off any un-needed programs that are starting up, if you haven't already.  And it sounds like you have all the software disks already, and the drivers disk will be sent.

As always . . . just my two cents.  Good luck.

Message Edited by europa303 on 08-07-2005 09:37 PM

I think that is just what I am going to do. As long as things are running ok, why ask for trouble. I did delete a lot of things through Add/Remove. But at least I will have the disks if anything does happen. I won't have to wait for Dell to send them to me when I need them most. I'll just put them away and hopefully I'll never need to use them. I have just about everything set on this computer. My printer is now set up and now all I have to do is hook up my scanner. I do like this computer. It's so quiet. I'm not used to no noise. The 8400 sounded like a truck even after the fan and CPU were replaced. A lot of times I forget it is on.

A wise decision.  Enjoy . . .

Hey, I can't really find the threads on the clean install complaints... where did you see them? I've only seen a very short one on anandtech... I'm asking because I recently decided to do a clean install on my 9100 for just about the same reasons as you (too much bloatware, but also because my 9100 came with xp home, and i wanted pro on it, so i was going to use my own copy).

I don't know if the other people are having the same problem as I do. Basically, I do everything by the book -- I even hooked up a spare floppy drive for myself to do the F6 install for the AHCI drivers, and everything looks like it's smooth sailing. But then, after xp install reboots and goes into the really simple GUI mode (where it actually tells you setup will finish in 39 minutes or whatever the time's left) and while it's about 3/4 of the way through the progress bar labeled "Installing Devices" I suddenly get a BSoD citing stop code 0x000000F4. I've tried doing it again about five times now, and each time it's the same result.

Like you said, I've been suspecting there's some strange compatibility issue with the new BTX form factor. Yet at the same time, there are those who have gotten through installation. I'm really vexed.

Message Edited by tomscy2000 on 08-16-2005 02:57 AM

That is exactly the same problem that everyone else has been having while doing a clean install on the 9100. When the install is almost done, the Blue Screen comes up. Some people tell me it's because the other people don't have the OS Cd from Dell. Or the Resource CD, etc. Other's say it's because of SP2 and they make a SlipStream CD. I don't have a clue as to what that is. I just read the posts. Seems that most people that were able to do a clean install made a SlipStream CD with SPs 1 and 2 on them.

I really wanted to do a clean install on my pc and get rid of all this extra junk, but I'm afraid to. If I lose Windows, I'll end up having to take it to the shop and it will just cost me more money.

I wish I could remember where the posts were with all the complaints. There were about 6 or 7 of them. Maybe more by now.

My 9100 is the 32 bit machine. Would I have to make a floppy disk with the ACHI drivers that are on the Dell download page? In the Bios of my machine it says Raid on, but someone was telling me it didn't make any difference because I don't have two hard drives so I don't have a Raid configuration.

If I can find the link to the posts I will let you know. I know how aggravating it is to try and install Windows and not have it work and not know why. I've been through it many times before. But it seems that the more complicated these machines become, the harder they are to figure out what is wrong with them.

P.S. If you do figure out how to do a clean install of Win XP Pro SP2, can you please tell me how it's done?

Thanks

Message Edited by robinhood42 on 08-16-2005 03:45 AM