mejco,

I have no idea what you might have been sent, but it sounds like someone was trying to get you to use Zztop to restore your system. Since Zztop has never been used on Windows XP systems if that was the attempt at a fix it is not surprising that it failed.

You should have receive a CD that looks like this. If you did not, you should request one because without it your computer is a paperweight.

If you have that CD, change the boot order in BIOS so that your CD-ROM drive is the first boot device. (Instructions are here if you need them.) After you have done this, restart your computer with the CD in the drive and do a clean install of Windows XP by following the procedures given here. Delete your C:\ partition at step #5 and create a new one (or more, if you desire) from the unpartitioned space that results, format them with NTFS, then let XP continue with the installation. After XP is installed you will need to install your drivers, then your applications.

Instructions for driver installation are available here.

Denny

Thank you so much for your prompt reply and the helpful links.  I checked out the links you suggested and they look quite do-able, though I was hoping not to have to re-install XP on a system only a month old.

I'll be gone a good share of today, so might have to save the procedures until tomorrow.  I would like to say that the cd's were sent to me by a Dell technician I talked to on the phone.  What I received said "Windows 98" at the very top (! ! ! ) It didn't seem right to me, but I'm not the tech so I inserted cd #1.  It got to 7% progress when I got the error message that my image file was invalid or corrupted. It began it's installation up to 7%, so it probably removed important files and perhaps that is why you think my computer is a paperweight.

I used the Symantec Anti-virus 2004 CD to attempt a boot, and it ran a virus check on the system which came out clean.  (But the CD didn't boot me into Windows)

When I get back into Windows, I still have to troubleshoot the Original problem that I phoned support about in the first place. (Online graphics not displaying properly) but now I'm hoping the re-install will take care of that, also.

Thanks for the help. I'm so glad the forums are here.

Maryellen = mejco

mejco,

If you are still getting the Press F1 message, make sure that all your ide cables are firmly connected.
Follow the directions here to take off cover.

The IDE cables are a 'ribbon' cable with plastic connectors at each end and often in the middle (to connect two drives).
They will go from the motherboard to the drives. You will have two or three, one for each 'ide controler' that is on the motherboard.

One is thinner than the others, is from the floppy controller to the floppy drives.

Just makesure they are not loose, push them home.

Thank you Joanne for your suggestion to make sure my IDE cables are firmly connected. The link you gave me for removing the cover etc. is the same instructions given in the manual.

I have never removed a computer cover or done any work inside the box. The directions look pretty straight forward so I will carefully try it. I need for you to tell me what the IDE cables look like and where they are located in the box. Are they marked in any way to identify them. The chart showing the System Board components does not show IDE cables that I can see, or perhaps they have a different name in the diagram?

These problems are very irritating, but I will say it makes for a good education !

Thanks again.

mejco

Yes the cables ide cables are ones that look like gray duct tape.
Sorry I didn't mention that earlier.

Thanks to all who responded to my request for help. It's kinda scary to go forward with these suggestions, but it's no good to me the way it is.  I could take the box down to Best Buy in Omaha and pay the techs there, but I think I can follow all the instructions given here. Wish me luck.

I'm so glad I found this forum.

mejco

Quote:-
Wish me luck.

I'm so glad I found this forum.

-----------------
Good luck go with you. Let us know how you get on.

I checked the Ide cables and they are secure.

Then I turned on the computer and it gave me the F1 message again.

Then I followed the 14 page instructions on Paul Thurrott's site to do a clean install. An hour and half later I had a windows screen, but  no  icons on the desktop.!  After the date and time settings I was supposed to get a screen for "Network setup" I have a network card and a modem, but didn't get the options to keep the default settings or enter custom settings.

I didn't get the OOBE wizard  or the options to activate Windows XP or any options after page 8.

I thought I followed the directions correctly, but I must have missed a step or misunderstood the instruction. The question is: Do I try again?

I'm supposed to have one year in-home-service, and asked for it after a week of unsuccessful conversations with phone techs, but apparently I haven't spilled enough blood to qualify.  .

I could take the tower to Omaha and have Best Buy re-format and clean install Windows XP. Does that sound like something you might recommend? At least it would be done by someone trained. I'm quite handy with computers and have  had success troubleshooting, but I'm no Tech and I could do more harm than good. I would appreciate your input on what to do next.

Regards,  mejco

ChrisRLG

My luck went somewhere else: it didn't go with me.  See my reply to Joanne re: the Ide cables and my steps following that.

All suggestions welcome

Regards, mejco