i need help reinstalling XP please...

csdj,

Denny Denham's excellent instructions on reinstalling XP, and the links there, should get you going.

Jim

jim-

thanks for your post.

i have read several times, his instructions, but i cannot find anywhere how to delete that partition.

i get the following message:

setup is unable to perform the requested operation on the selected partition. this partition contains temporary setup files that are required to complete the installation.

 

if i don't delete the partition, it only packs another version on top of the already installed version.

is there a way to erase my hard drive to begin with?

 

it's the keyboard that came with the computer, funtions properly, and is securely connected.

when i do this function, the screen flickers, and drops me off in the same which system do i start next screen.

i have tried holding down the delete key, tapping it onece, tapping it several times, and holding it down as soon as i click enter to reboot...i guess it is possible it wont recognize until the system boots up..is there a way to re-configure the BIOS when the system is fully up and running?  there is no problem for either drive to read the disk

thanks by the way..

csdj,

The only way to get that message is to fail to set the CD-ROM drive as the first boot device in BIOS. If you attempt to install XP after the XP CD autostarts within Windows the installation will not work.

csdj,

Here's the section about the Dimension 2300 from Dell Support's document about booting from the CD drive:

Dell Dimension 2300 or 2350 Series Systems

Insert a bootable CD in your CD drive.

Restart the system.

When the Dell logo screen appears, press the DELETE key to enter the System Setup.

Press the RIGHT Arrow key until Boot is highlighted on the menu bar.

Press the DOWN Arrow key until Boot Device Priority is highlighted.

Press the ENTER key. The 1st Boot Device is highlighted.

Press the ENTER key. (Normally, the ATAPI CD-ROM is listed as the Third Boot Device).

From the submenu, select ATAPI CD-ROM Drive and then press the ENTER key.

Insert the CD from which you intend to boot from into the CD drive.

Press the F10 key to Save and Exit. A prompt to Save changes and exit now appears.

Press the ENTER key.
Your system will now attempt to boot to the CD that is inserted in the CD or DVD drive.

Jim

csdj,

To change the boot order in BIOS go here for Dimensions, here for Inspirons, and here for Latitudes.

your instructions have been very helpful, and i have trying to look for answers and redo this now for the 4th time..

52 minutes per time....

my mind is boggled and i cannot seem to find that instruction......where or how rather do i make that BIOS change?

i found it...tried that, and the message i get is this:

please select operating system to start:

ms xp pro

ms xp home

ms xp pro setup

i pressed f8 to toggle back to reboot now a few times, and it goes back to this.

csdj,

Either you're not pressing the DELETE key soon enough, or perhaps the keyboard you're using isn't recognized until XP starts. If you have a wireless keyboard, try replacing it with the original keyboard, preferably one with a small round connector, and try that.

Jim

no no..i was confirming that it's a ps-2 keyboard ...but the one i'm using on this (other) machine now, is also ps-2,  so i'm gonna try to switch them out to see if that works...gotta power down, be back in a bit...thanks for all of your help so far...VERY glad you are here, and making a huge effort to help.   not giving up yet...5 hours and counting...

 

thanks!!!!!

christopher~

ps-2...i was thinking of switching out keyboards, but the keyboard i am currently using, for one, is in use on this computer, and i'm not sure if the other machine will recognize the new equipment, but i think i'm going to try anyway.

at least before i try to download six floppys from microsoft.

 

lost track of how many times i have done that..i have tried so many variations and read so many articlesis there a reason that i cannot just delete that partition, besides the fact that there are temp files needed for the install?

it's strange how the first 2 times i did this on different machines, i didn't have this problem.

is having 2 different versions installed causing conflicts maybe??

i am sure i am sounding like a true novice, but this is beating me where i have not had this kind of problem before.

starting to feel like i'm playing riven.  : )

thanks for all your advice so far...both of you.

...is there a reason that i cannot just delete that partition...

A partition that's in use can't be deleted. That's why it's essential that the system not boot from the disk drive, but from the CD. That way, the disk drive is completely inactive, and can be formatted.

I'm completely stumped as to why you're unable to get into the BIOS to change the boot order. An alternative would be to download and create the six floppy disk XP Home installation, as described in  this Microsoft article.

That's a lot more difficult than booting from the CD, though. Perhaps someone else following this thread will be able to make the suggestion we've missed that will get you into the BIOS.

One further thought - Is the keyboard connector USB or PS-2? I'm still thinking that somehow the BIOS isn't fully supporting the keyboard you have. If it's USB, do you have a keyboard with a PS-2 connector that you can try?

Jim

Message Edited by jimw on 09-17-2004 12:34 AM

"PS-2" is a shorthand for a keyboard connector that's been in use on PC's since the days of the IBM PS-2 computer. As a result, it's more likely to work in all cases than just about anything since!

Here's an illustration of it, and the even older "AT" style keyboard connector.

Jim