F6 not working

Question

Hi, I want to format the HDD and do a fresh install of Win XP Pro but when I hit F6 to install ACHI driver, nothing happens (its not prompting for any media). Just goes to next part where it has the F2 thing. Does anyone know how I can fix that? Thanks.

Dim 8400
3.0 Ghz P4 HT
Microsoft XP Proff
512 Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM
80 GB Serial ATA Hard Drive
16x DVD+RW/+R w/ double layer write
128MB PCI Express x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-Out) ATI Radeon X300 SE

Mary G · Answer

See if this applies: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307099

sreerg · Answer

Thanks for the info. I think we can set the repartition option when you create 'winnt.sif' file for unattended installation but I am not trying unattended setup. Any other ideas please? I called Dell technical support, they trasferred to software and peripherals dept and they redirected me to tech dept. So I don't even want to try to get help from dell about this.

redwolfe_98 · Answer

did you look at the instructions in dell support, 'reinstall guide',  for doing a clean reinstall of win xp? have you adjusted the bios settings, moving the cd-rom drive up to being first in the 'boot sequence', so as to be able to boot from the cd-rom drive with the win xp cd? did you see a message on the screen where it says 'press any key to boot from the cd'? after booting from the win xp cd, the first thing is says is 'press F6 if you need to install a third-party..'  it should work for you if you boot from the win xp cd..  you failed to mention what model dell computer that you have..

sreerg · Answer

redwolfe_98, I have Dimension 8400 desktop. I can't find reinstall guide for this system, I learned from the forum members that Dell hasn't put the reinstall guide for this system yet. I did not change the boot sequence in bios but I press F12 to boot from cdrom drive which has XP in it and I got message "press any key to boot from the cd" and then I can see message "Press F6 if you need......". At this point even if I press F6, setup is just continue to load setup files, but not prompting for media to install the drivers.

Here is my system configuration:

Dim 8400
3.0 Ghz P4 HT
Microsoft XP Proff
512 Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM
80 GB Serial ATA Hard Drive
16x DVD+RW/+R w/ double layer write
128MB PCI Express x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-Out) ATI Radeon X300 SE

redwolfe_98 · Answer

if you haven't already tried it, try adjusting the bios settings, moving the cd-rom drive up to first in the boot sequence, and then booting from the win xp cd..  to access the bios settings, press F2 as the computer is booting up.. use the arrow keys and the plus key and the minus key to navigate in the bios settings..

Windows General

F6 not working

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