rradliff,

You can request an XP reinstallation CD from Dell using one of the links here. While you wait for it, run the Dell diagnostis on the system. "No boot device available" may indicate a failing hard drive.

For a system which does not perform you have 21 days to return it to Dell with no penalty as detailed here.

Excellent choice of actions with the AOL CD.

Thanks for the suggestions. 

I've been able to get it to boot once this morning, but got the BSOD on the second reboot.  Since then, It won't get past the Dell screen.  I can hear a faint clicking like the HD is searching for the boot sector.  I think at this point, we're going to explore the 21 day return policy.  If we waste any more time with software options, we'll certainly be outside the 21 day option.

 

Thanks again.

 

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@rradliff wrote:

Thanks for the suggestions. 

I've been able to get it to boot once this morning, but got the BSOD on the second reboot.  Since then, It won't get past the Dell screen.  I can hear a faint clicking like the HD is searching for the boot sector.  I think at this point, we're going to explore the 21 day return policy.  If we waste any more time with software options, we'll certainly be outside the 21 day option.

Thanks again.

Sounds like a good plan.  It's 21 days from invoice/ship date.  Tell Dell you want a replacement shipped ASAP, or return it and start over (with a new 21 day period).

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@rradliff wrote:

We received a new Dimension 3100 about a week ago.  Now, after a few days of usage, it keeps crashing.  Either the BSOD (Kernel Data Inpage Error) after running for a short time, or "No Boot Device Available" on restart.  My first thought is that maybe the boot sector is damaged and needs repair.  Second thought is to reinstall the OS.  Both require the software.

 

The only CD that came with the PC was the AOL disk (appropriately tossed in trash) and the monitor CD.  Nothing else.  I don't see anything on the start menu indicating an ability to build an OS recovery CD. 

 

Any help appreciated.

 

Systems shipped after July 15, 2004 came with Symantec PC Restore. This utility restores the computer to an "as-shipped" condition. If you haven't reformatted, repartitioned, or otherwise modified the master boot record, it should work. Click here for instructions about Symantec PC Restore.

If the Symantec PC Restore utility won't work, but still resides on your computer, a Dell customer has figured out some ways to get it to work again. Note - If you removed this partition, it is not recoverable, cannot be downloaded from the internet, and cannot be shipped from Dell. Click here for ways to fix Symantec PC Restore. Users have also reported that the partition can be restored with Ghost 2003, and Ghost 9 using the '03 capabilities of it. If you boot to the Ghost 9 CD, select Advanced Recovery Taks, select Utilities, then Restore Legacy IMage it should work - but you want to verify the image before attempting the restore. It's in a folder called IMG.

Systems that shipped beginning in early 2005 may ship without Windows XP. There SHOULD be (but sometimes isn't) a utility on your computer to run and create the Windows XP CD, unless your computer shipped after 7/15/05 in which case you have to call Dell and beg. This is a RUN ONCE utility. Click here for instructions to create your Windows XP CD. Some users have reported needing to reboot a few times to get this utility to show up on the menu. You can also contact Dell and request a CD and wait for it to ship, see the link at the bottom of my signature.