XP Setup problem Bluescreen

Question

HELP PLEASE!   I have an inspiron 9400, about 18 months old and I think I have re installed xp sp2 twice in that time. This lastest installation is a problem. I get to the Welcome to Setup screen using the setup disc provided by Dell with my computer and then if I choose set up windows xp OR repair windows xp (the only 2 options there are) I get this frustrating blue screen   A problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.   If this is the first time you've seen this screen (yeah right after 10 or 15 times i'm getting sick of looking at this) restart your computer. If this screen appears again, follow these steps :   Check to make sure any new hardware or software is proberly installed. If this is a new installation, ask your hardware or software manufacturer for any windows upgrades you might need.   If problem continues,disable or remove any newly installed hardare or software (a little difficult when windows wont boot at all not even in safe mode) Disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing (I dont think this is an option in the BIOS)   TECHINICAL INFORMATION   *** STOP:  0x00000051 (0x00000003, 0x00003000, 0xE11F6030)     Any suggestions on how to get my computer running past this point would greatfully appreciated.

jackshack · Answer

Apologies if this sounds silly, but are you certain you are booting from the CD? A look in the Microsoft site doesn't lead me to any solution for you, but the error you are reporting leads to a lot of material dealing with errors in the "hive"; the registry. I don't see how you can get this sort of error if the Windows CD is being used as the system disk.

Another silly question since you're running a laptop, but do you have any devices attached to the ports, like an external keyboard or mouse? Sometimes things that are hanging off the computer can cause unexpected troubles and it is best to use the laptop keyboard and touchpad.

If you can get to the point that allows you to delete and create partitions it would be best to delete the NTFS partition being used for your C drive, create it again and perform the format. Perhaps the system is getting confused by the presence of the existing installation.

Message Edited by JackShack on 12-16-2007 10:00 PM

frustratedwitht · Answer

Thanks for the interest

Im pretty sure Im booting from the CD -I always see "press any key to boot from CD" before I begin to try and re install.

The only thing I have attached to the laptop is the power cable. I use the laptop keyboard and touchpad.

I am longing for the time when I can get to the screen where I can delete all the partitions and start again.

I have tried to use the Recovery Console but it asks me "Which Windows installation would you like to log on to?" and then gives me only 1 option

1: C:WINDOWS

But when I choose this I get That same old blue screen I mentoned above.

jackshack · Answer

Have you checked the CD for scratches and fingerprints?

frustratedwitht · Answer

I inspected and very gently polished the CD   Before I get to the setup I get   Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:   \windows\system32\config\system   You can attempt to repair this file by starting windows set-up using the original Set-up CD-ROM Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair   but alas my own personal blue screen from hal just pops back up again

jackshack · Answer

What that tells me is that you almost certainly are not booting from the CD, or you missed a spot during your gentle polishing.  That file is definitely on the CD and the only way it isn't getting loaded is if your system is trying to load from the hard drive or if the section of the CD that holds it is obscured in some fashion.

frustratedwitht · Answer

We may be narrowing it down.   When I use windows set up (press any key to boot from CD)   I can hear the cd-rom zzzz - zzzzing away while it loads the files for set up, so I assume it is booting from the cd.   Which leaves us with 'if the file is on the setup disc' I may need another disc because this one for whatever reason cant be read.   I have a friend with the exact same dell computer. Could I use that disc with my windows product code to re install xp?   The other option is to get dell to send out another one but I assume being this close to xmas I probably wont have a working computer til after the newyear

jackshack · Answer

If your friend has the same version of Windows that resides on your computer, yes, you can use his CD to reinstall your Windows. You can't mix Windows XP Home or Professional, however.

Even though it may take some time it is still worth your while to ask Dell for a replacement disk. If they agree you will get Windows XP Home with Service Pack 2 most likely.

So long as you are using a Dell reinstallation CD you will probably not need to enter the product code. The Dell OEM Windows disks are self activating when installed on a Dell that came with that product.

Message Edited by JackShack on 12-17-2007 06:26 PM

frustratedwitht · Answer

I was hoping to post today the solution to my problem for everyone with the same problem  but unfortunately that is not to be.   Having 1 year and 1/2 next business day warrenty left I thought I would ask a Dell technitian. I rang them up on Wednesday and they said some one would help me Friday ( not a problem I took a day off work because my puter was to be fixed. )   At 2.45pm I rang the support line again explaining that  I lost a days wages waiting and they said that within 2 hours they would ring back .   At 6.20pm I rang again explaining the situation and am yet to hear back.   IF YOU ARE ARE RELYING ON YOUR COMPUTER FOR BUSINESS YOU MAY WANT SOME ONE RELIABLE.   I dont expect many people to read this because Im sure it ill be deleted but I have to vent my splean somewhere. If Del doesnt ring me back soon I will use my DELL COMPUTER for a portable white marker Screen (the only thing it IS useful for ) and buy a computer from someone who does offer customer support.   Forgve the spelling mistakes but after 2 weeks of trying to fix this machine and the poor support I recieved ( not to mention the damage to my bussiness) spelling and grammar are the last thing on my mind.

DELL-Chris B · Answer

frustratedwith…: I may be able to help, please check your Private Messages. Regards,

Windows General

XP Setup problem Bluescreen

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