Install WIN XP on Dell 2350

C

compdummy

New Member
I have a DELL Demension 2350. the computer became so infected with SPYWARE that I decided to reformat the hard drive and start over. So I deleted the primary partition, then created it using FDISK. Then I reformatted the partition as an NTFS drive.

Now here's where the trouble starts. I down loaded, on another computer, the six disk XP setup series from MicroSoft"s web site. The I started that series on the reformated computer. I got through that OK then I put in the DELL CD label REINSTALL WIN XP. That's the only XP cd that came with the computer. The install continued then stoped after not being able to find a *.SIF file that was suppose to be in the SP1.cab. The install would not continue.

So then I shut everthing down and sarted the computer again from the CD drive alone with the REINSTALL WIN XP cd inthe drive. The computer stops with the message that there is no NTLDR.

So now what so I do?
 
Firstly make sure the computer is booting off the CD. Make sure the CD-ROM is set to first priority in the BIOS, and that you press a key when asked to boot from CD-ROM.

This error has also been known to occur from leaving any removable media in the computer. This includes flash memory drives, as well as floppy discs etc...

From what you've said is printed on the disc, it isn't a retail XP CD. If Dell have provided it, is it possible that they've provided another CD or floppy that boots, and that this CD just contains data?
 
Well I finally go the computer to start the reinstall of WIN XP from the DELL "REINSTALL" CD. I had to run the hardware check from the DELL system stuff. I got to this by holding doen F12 during the bootup.

I wonder why DELL doesn't tell us that in there ower's paperwork and manuals?

Things that make us go HUUUUMMMM!
 
I wonder why DELL doesn't tell us that in there ower's paperwork and manuals?
Click to expand...
That's Dell's way of saying "We believe people who buy Dells dont have the expertise to be able to install an OS"

As for your NTLDR, have a look at this
 
actually, i believe the reason that dell does not include this information in the paperwork is to keep people from reinstalling windows if they do not know exactly what they are doing
main reason i can see is the fact that people reinstalling windows may not completely understand, if they are not experienced, that all data will be lost and then they probably try to hoold dell responsible.
not only the responsibility thing, but the fact that it causes people a lot of pain and trouble when some files have not been backed up and have just been deleted.

with the newer dimension system, there is also a image restore partition. which i don't think was available with the 2350
and a lot of times, people will try reinstalling windows themselves with the cd, delete this partition, and then they no longer have that option, which is a very useful tool

another reason, possibly, is the fact of the 'utility partition' that holds the diags and everything. if someone deletes that and then does not have their resource cd, there is not way to run the diags other then download them, burn a cd and then boot to that cd (major pain)

for future reference though, all you need to reinstall windows on a dell, is the dell windows cd, and the resource cd. unlesss your system has the extra partition. in that case, you need no cd's and can restore your computer to the way it was the first time you turned it on in a matter of 10 minutes or so, usually less

so, if needing to reinstall windows, simply boot to the windows cd that came with the system, delete the windows partition, create a new one and then install windows.
 
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