Initial Installation Problem

Question

Hi all-   Maybe someone might be able to help me here. I just recently purchased a Dimension 9100 that came pre-installed with Windows XP Home. However, shortly after the two Dell service screens, we had a power glitch and the computer hung up and rebooted itself. Now when I start the computer, right after the Windows XP loading screen, I get an error that says: 'The system is not fully installed. Please run setup again.' I did not receive a recovery CD with my system (it's all online bundled with the OS?). I can't seem to find my way to a DOS prompt to see if I can manipulate the files that way. Furthermore, I tried booting from a different XP Cd I have on hand to see if I could get up enough to run the Dell re-install, but it says Hard drive not found during the setup process. So, I'm kind of stuck with a new computer that I can't use.   Can anyone point me in the right direction to solve this problem?   TIA, Scott

rickmktg · Answer

@sd1523 wrote:

Hi all-

Maybe someone might be able to help me here. I just recently purchased a Dimension 9100 that came pre-installed with Windows XP Home. However, shortly after the two Dell service screens, we had a power glitch and the computer hung up and rebooted itself. Now when I start the computer, right after the Windows XP loading screen, I get an error that says: "The system is not fully installed. Please run setup again." I did not receive a recovery CD with my system (it's all online bundled with the OS?). I can't seem to find my way to a DOS prompt to see if I can manipulate the files that way. Furthermore, I tried booting from a different XP Cd I have on hand to see if I could get up enough to run the Dell re-install, but it says Hard drive not found during the setup process. So, I'm kind of stuck with a new computer that I can't use.

Can anyone point me in the right direction to solve this problem?

TIA,

Scott

Reboot and hit CTRL F11 while booting to set the system to an "as shipped" state. Then start over.

Mary G · Answer

Call or use Chat to contact support. They will send you the XP cd and help troubleshoot. You definitely need to have the XP cd sent. It is not available for download.

Denny Denham · Answer

sd1523, The exact instructions for the procedure are here.

sd1523 · Answer

When exactly am I supposed to hit F11? I've pressed repeatedly through the whole process, from the time the Dell screen appears (when F2 for setup; F12 for boot menu appears, all the way through the Windows XP logo screen). I still get the same error.

rickmktg · Answer

@sd1523 wrote:

When exactly am I supposed to hit F11? I've pressed repeatedly through the whole process, from the time the Dell screen appears (when F2 for setup; F12 for boot menu appears, all the way through the Windows XP logo screen). I still get the same error.

CTRL F11. Not just F11.

sd1523 · Answer

Right, CTRL + F11. So, it worked. Thanks to all!

rickmktg · Answer

@sd1523 wrote: Right, CTRL + F11. So, it worked. Thanks to all! Glad to have helped.

Windows General

Initial Installation Problem

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