New Dimension 8400 - Trying to reformat and install WinXP

Question

Hi, I just picked up 3 8400 for our office and they came with WinXP Home. We already have licenses for WinXP Professional and I am trying to reformat the boxes and install WinXP SP1 and then upgrade to WinXP SP2. I have done this multiple times without trouble but with these new boxes when I begin the install it can't find the Hard Drive (only 1 drive in box). I donwloaded the intel driver (Serial ATA driver iaStor.sys) and then it finds it but after it installs and goes to boot up windows fails to boot. So now I went again to try the install and this time I get iaStor.sys caused and unexpected error (4107) at line 2108 in d:\xpsp1\base\boot\setup\oemdisk.c. Press any key to continue. So I am a bit stuck. I can't start over and I can't have WinXP home as we are on a Domain here. I already had the licenses so I didn't want to spend an extra $300 bucks to have Dell install it. Never had this trouble before and I never had to use a driver disk. What am I doing wrong? Please help! John

simpswr · Answer

This is a good guide for reinstalling on a Dell:  http://www.djdenham.com/Install%20Procedures.htm   wrs

bernard0110 · Answer

If you bought your system after 16-Jul-2004 you can use PC Restore to restore your pc on its original configuration/factory settings. To activate this utility press Ctrl/F11 at the Dell Logo screen during the boot process. Your system will boot into a DOS environment and provide a GUI with instructions about restoring the system. You will be warned that your data and other software files (not installed in the factory) will be destroyed by this process. When complete, you will have to "Break the Seal" as in the original start up from the factory.

Note:

That your data will be lost in the restore process.
That any programs you have installed since receiving the system will have to be reinstalled.
That any configuration done since receiving the system will have to be redone.

If PC Restore fails your only option is to re-install the media that came in with your system.

Good Luck!

shesagordie · Answer

John Sperry.   The following article may also help.   http://www.djdenham.com/8400%20Special.htm     Bev.               Message Edited by shesagordie on 02-15-2005 04:50 PM

bert van beeren · Answer

as you use only one disk and so not interrested in raid than the easy way to do this is to go into the bios F2 when you start up the pc go to the drives than sata operations. and change Raid Autodetect/AHCI (=standard) into Combination (Sata/Pata) Than save and save/exit the bios.   One thing is all the data is lost, but you are able to reinstall xp and your disk will be seen   It worked for me fine today so it should work for you to   Bye Bert

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