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reloading xp
Here is my situation:
I have a dell dimension 8200 (i think) with an Intel Pentium 4 processor 1.80 GHz. My 40 Gig hard drive failed recently. I purchased an 80 Gig hard drive and installed it - both were Seagate hard drives. I've tried to load Windows XP with my reinstallation cd that came with the computer and get a message that windows requires an 80486 or later processor. This same computer with the smaller hard drive operated with windows xp. Any suggestions as to how to handle this problem?
I have a dell dimension 8200 (i think) with an Intel Pentium 4 processor 1.80 GHz. My 40 Gig hard drive failed recently. I purchased an 80 Gig hard drive and installed it - both were Seagate hard drives. I've tried to load Windows XP with my reinstallation cd that came with the computer and get a message that windows requires an 80486 or later processor. This same computer with the smaller hard drive operated with windows xp. Any suggestions as to how to handle this problem?
- No, the Dell OEM Windows XP Installation CD is just like a retail copy, with a few differences. It checks to make sure the PC is a Dell, and it is "pre-activated" so you don't need to manually enter a COA key.I can't imagine why the installation CD software is not properly recognizing the processor. It's quite possible the root cause is not closely related to the text of the message. Are both drives of the same type (EIDE?) and is the new one set as master or cable select?The Dell PC Restore feature uses a hidden partition and an image of the original software configuration to provide an additional, alternative means of recovery, and includes everything that was installed at the factory in addition to Windows. It is a limited and fragile feature, using a subset of the capabilities included in imaging software.
GM Scott,
Will Dell send me another CD? Can I be more certain buying a new version of XP will solve the problem? I would like to know before forking out $$ for XP if it won't work. Thank you for your help and if you have any other ideas please share them.
b-tiger
GM,
I'm not nearly as computer literate as I need to be to answer this question. How can I find the information you asked me about? Please give me directions and I will follow through to try to repair the computer. Thank you for all of your help thus far and I will greatly appreciate any further direction you can provide.
b-tiger
ScottMaxwell
5 Posts
636
0
Posted December 28th, 2005 10:00
Hey,Well again i think you should first get in contact with Dell. It is there problem in the first place anyway, its nothing that you have done. Just another question because if your computer is under warranty they will definitely send you on for free, although i think you will find if it is not they might do anyway.There is one thing that i can say for sure, if you buy a new copy of windows XP it will fix the problem and it will work.Hope This HelpsScott Maxwell- I agree with Scott that you should take advantage of any support that may be helpful in resolving this problem, but I see no indication that this is a problem with the CD. It is possible, I would not rule it out completely, and you should check the CD for any obvious damage, but I have never seen the error message and would not immediately suspect the CD. A Google search of the error message will often turn up some interesting information, but I see nothing relevant. Can you post the exact text of the error message, if you remember, or if you encounter it again?
There are a few things you can check, like the jumpers on the new drive, and if it is found the jumpers are not correctly set you can make the correction and try installing Windows again. If you post the model of the new drive I'll look for instrustions regarding the jumpers. The instructions for setting the jumpers may have also been included with the drive.
What were the symptoms and troubleshooting results that led you to replace the hard drive? Did you replace the hard drive yourself? Do you still have the old drive available, and can you check the jumpers on the back to compare with the new one?
Here are some things to check in the Dim 8200 support documentation.
In the Adding Parts section, there is no guide for replacing the Hard Drive, but the section titled "Adding a Second Hard Drive" provides some information that may be helpful. The documentation states that the Dim 8200 uses cable-select drive cables. The end connector (master) should be used for the replacement drive, and the replacement drive should be jumpered for cable select. See the manufacturer's documentation for the replacement drive for instructions to set it for cable select. (If you don't recall whether this was done, we can probably find instructions on the Seagate site for the cable-select setting.)
If you find the jumpers on the new drive were correctly set and are not the cause of the error message, check the BIOS. Dell uses the term "System Setup Program". The BIOS should report CPU and hard drive information, among other things. The BIOS program is stored on a chip on the motherboard and doesn't rely on Windows or the hard drive. Every time you boot up, the BIOS runs a system hardware check before passing control to software on the Floppy Drive, CD Drive, or Hard Drive. The Boot Sequence setting identifies which drive is checked first, and if no bootable software is found, it tries the next drive on the list. (I also see ejn63, in response to this question on another board, suggests checking the setup to see that your CPU is not locked in compatibility mode.)
Also check the "System Codes and Messages".
One more thing to check is the Dell Diagnostics. A thorough hardware functional test may reveal whether there are any hardware problems that must be corrected. The program may be downloaded and used to make a bootable floppy on another PC, then the floppy may be used to check your system.
When installing Windows, all peripherals except the mouse, keyboard, and monitor should be disconnected. Denny Denham provides some helpful resources.GM GM,
I get these messages:
"NTLDR is missing. Press Ctrl + Alt + Del to restart." (Then after restarting and entering boot sequence with CD I get another message. Setup inspects hardware and returns with an error message)
"Windows requires an 80486 or later processor. Setup cannot continue. Press any key to exit."
The hard drive is a Seagate 80GB Barracuda ATA HD.
Thank you for all your help. Let me know if you need any more information!!
b-tiger
GM,
I get these messages:
"NTLDR is missing. Press Ctrl + Alt + Del to restart." (Then after restarting and entering boot sequence with CD I get another message. Setup inspects hardware and returns with an error message)
"Windows requires an 80486 or later processor. Setup cannot continue. Press any key to exit."
The hard drive is a Seagate 80GB Barracuda ATA HD.
Thank you for all your help. Let me know if you need any more information!!
b-tiger
- I'd say checking the BIOS would be the next step.
Check what the BIOS reports for the CPU and the hard drive. I haven't seen the Dim 8200 stup screens in person, and the picture on the Dell link is somewhat limited, but I would expect some detailed information should be available.
GM
ScottMaxwell
5 Posts
635
0
Posted December 27th, 2005 22:00
Hey,
I believe the problem is that your CD is not the actually Windows XP Cd it is basically a link to a file in a hidden partition on you broken hard drive. So if i am correct i would think that your best bet would be to either get in contact will Dell Support and ask them for a new CD or just fork out and buy another Windows XP Cd and install your computer this way.
You get this error message because they have tried to stop software piracy, basically you cannot install that CD that came with your computer on any other computer apart from yours because of that file that was in the hidden partition. I personally think computer manufacturers need to rethink the way that they treat there customers i mean, they don't even trust us with a proper Windows XP CD anymore they have to give us a version that can only be used on the computer you purchased it with. Say if your computer brakes and you build another one (now there's an idea :) )and you want to install the copy of Windows that you are legally allowed to install but you can't.
Anyway i shall stop my little rant there. Hope this helps !
Scott Maxwell
Message Edited by ScottMaxwell on 12-27-2005 07:00 PM