computerguy06

I have a Dell E510 and I should still have my warranty

danj

Well, give 'em a call and I don't think they'll give you any trouble. I have a Dell and they've been pretty good when I've had issues. Just tell them you need a copy of the operating system reinstallation disk. They should have given you a copy anyway when you bought the computer.

computerguy06

I think I am ready to format. They are sending it, so if I get that formatting process now, I can do it over the weekend. Thanks.

m3incorp

I am inclined to say that your popups for the download are being blocked. Win Media Center automatically turns on popup blockers. Turn off all popup blockers and see what you get.

danj

that would be wonderful if that was all that is was. Go for it

atvshane

Also with some manufactureres, you have to MAKE the discs. They do not give them to you. Check in start/all programs for some program to create restore discs.

computerguy06

Well, I have had this computer since January 06, so this is really frustrating. This only started happening about a week and a half ago. I did a system restore from the previous day becuase some software was deleted that I needed. After I did that, this downloading problem occurred. I don't think the pop-up window being blocked is my problem.

danj

Well, if your decision is to reformat, here are the instructions. (print out this page for reference) The good thing about reformatting is that you are setting yourself up clean slate, and can keep track of any changes you make afterward so that if a problem arises, you can trace the source.

The first thing you have to do is set your computer up to boot from the CD ROM drive. Start by putting the XP installation CD into the drive and then shutting your computer off. (if any prompts come up when you put the CD in just close them) Make sure any internet cables are disconnected.

Turn the computer on. When F2 = Setup, F12 = Boot Menu appears in the upper-right corner of the screen, press <F12> (if this doesn't work, resart and try again) This should happend before the windows screen comes up.
The Boot Device Menu appears, listing all available boot devices. Each device has a number next to it. At the bottom of the menu, enter the number of the device that is to be used for the current boot only - i.e. CD ROM (the mouse doesn't work here, so you'll have to toggle with the keyboard)
After you do that, if you aren't prompted to hit enter or any key, just hit esc and the boot should start.

After the CD loads a bunch of files and prompts you through a couple of screens, you will be asked if you wish to repair XP MCE or continue - you want to hit esc to continue.
In the following menu - with the UP & DOWN arrow keys - select Drive C: from the list, press the letter D on the keyboard to delete the selected partition and confirm by pressing Enter.

On the next screen press L.

On the next screen press Enter.

On the following screen, 4 options are available. Select with the arrow keys the NTFS file system and confirm by pressing Enter (if NTFS isn't available use FAT). Don't use the (quick) option. After this the drive will be reformatted. It will take a few minutes.

When the format is finished, the computer will restart automatically. If asked if you want to , do not press any key to boot again from the DVD/CD, just leave the installation process to continue. If you are prompted to register the product online, check no, and do it after the installation process finishes (this is because you disconnected your internet cables anyway)

Follow the remaining prompts and fill in what you need to. This should do it.
The first thing you should when you reconnect to the internet is to go straight to the Microsoft update website and scan for all updates. Your computer is pretty vulnerable right after a reformat. When all updates are installed, download Microsoft antispyware. Just search for that on their site. It shouldn't be hard to find.
Then immediately download this virus software
http://www.avast.com/i_kat_207.php?lang=ENG
It is good for a year.

Then reinstall all of your software, and go into each program you reinstall, and choose the search for updates option. All programs have one somewhere.

Then go to Mycomputer/right click on Local Disk C:/choose the tools tab/ and use the defragmentation function

After all of this you should be good to go.
hope it works

computerguy06

Hey danj,

That worked perfectly! Thanks for your help with my situation.

danj

any time