Problem Installing Windows XP Professional on my Dimension 4700 series

Question

I am attempting to do a clean install of Windows XP Professional on my Dell Dimension 4700 that originaly had Windows XP home edition installed. I booted the computer to run off the CD and I then formatted the harddisk. The install program then copied over all required files to the computer and rebooted. What should now happen is that the setup should go to the Regional and Language Options section of the install but what happens is that the computer keeps rebooting itself and not getting passed the screen where it gives you the options to enter Setup or Boot menu. It seems to be in a loop of rebooting. I have left the computer doing this for 10 minutes but it will not go any further. I have attepted to start the process again and re-format and copy the files over but it wont go further. I am stuck!   Any ideas? Thanks in advanced.

Abrandoned · Answer

Hi StuartShepherd,

Installing Windows

When you install Windows follow these steps to make sure you don’t get infected by spyware and network worms…

1. If your computer is plugged into a DSL line/Cable modem, physically disconnect the network cable from the computer.

2. Install Windows XP

3. If you’re not using a router to connect to the ‘net, turn on the Windows firewall (Open Network Connections, right click your online connection, click Properties, click the Advanced Tab, then check the Internet Connection Firewall.)

4. Now re-attach any cabling you removed earlier. Get online and run Windows Update then install all Critical Updates. If you have to restart re-run Windows Update until there are no more critical updates to install. If you’re using a Dialup connection, consider order at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/sp2/cdorder/en_us/default.mspx and using the the free Windows XP Service Pack 2 on CD to reduce the download time.

5. Download and install Firefox browser at http://www.spreadfirefox.com/?q=affiliates&id=2782&t=55.

6. Before you download from the inernet for any program's, use this exsention Bookmark Backup 0.3.1 - "completing your XPI'rience" at http://www.extensionsmirror.nl/index.php?showtopic=13

(When you use the Bookmark Backup 0.3.1 it will save your History, Passwrds, Preferences, Security Database, Form History, Cookies, Windows Layout, User Files, Permissions, Download Files Types, all of your bookmarks your favorites and download installer icon for that program into your "My Documents" folder it will be easer to find for burn it on a CD.)

7. Install an anti-virus and update it immediately. (If you don’t have one download the Free AVG free anti-virus at http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php).

8. Install anti-spyware tools, AdAware at http://www.lavasoftusa.com/ and Spybot S&D at http://www.safer-networking.org/ Update both, then turn on the immunization feature of Spybot.

9. Install Spyware Blaster at http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html and protect your browsers from hijacking.

Make sure to run Windows Update regularly, or better yet, turn on Automatic Updates by opening the System Control Panel, click the Automatic Updates tab, then check either “Download the updates automatically” or the scheduled updates installer. You should also enable the automatic updates in your anti-virus and keep all the spyware programs up-to-date, as well.

Using Internet Explorer Safely!

When security expert Steve Gibson of ShieldsUp fame was on he told us he still uses Microsoft’s Internet Explorer in Windows, despite the security and spyware issues.

Here’s how I uses IE safely!

* Setting your Explorer on high security at http://www.microsoft.com/security/incident/settings.mspx 4 Steps to Help Ward Off Hackers and Attackers from Microsoft June 11, 2004

* How to surf the Internet more safely with Internet Explorer - Windows-Help.NET at http://www.infinisource.com/techfiles/surf-safe.html

To prevent browser hijacking I recommend installing Spyware Blaster at http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html (This is unnecessary if you have security set to high, but it’s useful just in case you accidentally give access to a bad site.)

Windows XP SP-2 adds a new zone to XP: My Computer, and locks it down. This is a very effective way to combat browser hijacking. Microsoft provides instructions for people who have not yet installed SP-2 here at http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=315933 but it’s not for the faint of heart.

dunedin · Answer

Could be bad RAM
You can run either of these from a floppy without needing an OS to be installed:

http://www.memtest86.com/

http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

Do you have a Geforce card?

XP has problems with Geforce cards during install,most people borrow a video card for the install and then put their Geforce cards back in.

StuartShepherd · Answer

Thanks for the replys but still no joy. The installation will not go pass the screen which displays the dell logo with the options go into Setup or Boot menu. Could it be a problem with my BIOS? My computer is brand new so you would have thought it would have been installed with the latest drivers. The bios version is A03a.   This is very frustrating as I have attempted to call the Home Technical Support which are only open here in the UK from Monday to Friday when I am at work!

Denny Denham · Answer

StuartShepherd,

The following is excerpted from the SuperSite for Windows ( here).

"When the file copy is complete, Setup will initialize and save your XP configuration. It will then reboot your PC.

When the system reboots, you will probably see the "Press any key to boot from CD" message again. If this happens, do not press a key: Setup will now boot from your C: drive. In the event that you cannot prevent the CD-based Setup from reloading, eject the CD and reboot. Setup will ask for the CD when needed."

Perhaps this will allow your installation to run to completion.

Message Edited by Denny Denham on 10-16-2004 08:37 AM

Windows General

Problem Installing Windows XP Professional on my Dimension 4700 series

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