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Help Please Dell Dimension 2400 wont Boot from Operating CD
I hope someone can help me with this problem, I have been trying to figure this out for over a month now. I did a reinstallation of XP and eventually it all went down hill from there. Files are all corrupted, nothing appears in my add/remove program list, windows just so slow its pethetic. I really need to just start again by reinstalling the operating cd but I can not get it to boot up.
Other cds play in the drive, so it is working.
Entered Bios and this was my findings:
Boot Sequence:
- IDE CD-Rom
- Diskette Drive
- Hard Drive
Drive Configuration:
Primary Master: Hard Drive
Primary Slave Drive: Off
Secondary Master Drive: CD Rom
Sec Slave Drive: CD Rom
I would really appreciate some help anyone can provide!
shesagordie
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May 26th, 2009 12:00
CRYSTALDOLL2009
Try using the CD/ROM that's connected to the end of the data ribbon cable.
See if the following can help:
How to carry out a clean reinstall of XP.
Disconnect all the peripherals from the system except the keyboard, mouse and monitor.
This XP reinstallation GUIDE is excellent, or you can use Dell's XP Restallation Guide HERE.
While installing, remember to delete all existing partitions when you are prompted, then recreate the partitions and format the hard drive, following by installing XP.
After installing XP, you need to install the drivers and applications in the correct order, see HERE
Followed by installing the Anti Virus utility, updating the definitions, then all the critical Microsoft updates.
Bev.
hsiehjohn
2 Posts
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September 10th, 2009 18:00
If the CD Rom drive is also a DVD Rom drive, that might be your problem. All you need to do is install a generic CD Rom drive. It worked for me on my 2400 that I wrestle with for 2 days straight.
shesagordie
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September 28th, 2009 21:00
rejoicing1
The directions for either replacing, or adding a CD, or DVD drive are HERE
Remember to set the drive's 'jumpers' to Cable Select.
After installing, check that the new optical drive is recognized in the System Setup.
Bev.
rejoicing1
8 Posts
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September 28th, 2009 21:00
How do you install a " generic CD Rom Drive? Yes mine is both the CDRom and DVD and I cannot get my computer to boot from the CD drive to reinstall Windows xp.
I have also wrestled with it for two days!!!!!:emotion-9:
hrova
2.2K Posts
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September 28th, 2009 21:00
It appears that you have two optical drives. Have you tried booting with the cd in each one? We also have a 2400, and it will only boot to one of the two drives. I am guessing this a BIOS limitaion, so the previous advice about trying the one on the end of the cable seems reasonable.
If you've tried both....
It also appears that you have set the drive as master and slave. Each optical drive should be set to cable select using the jumpers, not master and slave.
Good luck.
rejoicing1
8 Posts
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September 29th, 2009 11:00
Thank you Bev!:emotion-1: I sincerely appreciate your help.
I am trying to format and reinstall Windows XP and need my computer to boot from the CD....it says that my version of WindowsXP is newer than the one on the CD thus makeing me boot from the CD...(?) I think it is because mine current Windows XP has SP3.
I will check this link now..
Joyce
shesagordie
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September 29th, 2009 13:00
rejoicing1
Joyce.
When that happens I've found it easier to erase all the data from the hard drive, leaving a 'Blank' HD, to reinstall XP on.
I've found Darik's Boot and Nuke, very effective for this.
See HERE
It's a funny name, but a good product.
Or, you could try the solutions HERE and HERE
Bev.
shesagordie
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September 29th, 2009 16:00
rejoicing1
Joyce.
That's great and I'm happy to hear that the problem is resolved.
Bev.
rejoicing1
8 Posts
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September 29th, 2009 16:00
I did it !!!!:emotion-21: I finally went to PC Restore by hitting the CTRL and F11 and going to Restore I chose to do just that! I now have a " new" old computer.
Only problem I have now is it is asking for the CD to install the CDROM...which hasn't been working anyway. Once I can get a copy of that or purchase a new cd drive I am in business!! Thanks for the help and support everyone.