trying to install xp

I am trying to install XP on a Dell dimension 8100. It origionally had ME installed. I purchased this computer used for $50 and it was very messed. It would boot to setup mode and when I got past that hurdle it was so bogged down with virus and malware that I cant run anything to fix it. I am hoping to reformat the disk and start new but I cant get it to boot from the CD. I made sure the CD boot was before the hard drive boot but no go. I installed XP over ME and it works well, but I know that is not how it should work. Any ideas?

 

If you where able to install XP, did you Format the drive first, or just do a update? Check the jumpers on the drives, and make sure the CD is on Secondary IDE, and the Hard drive is on Primary IDE.

 

No, I did not format the drive first. I was afraid of not being able to load the new OS from the CD Drive. I have checked the jumpers and I have the floppy first, CD ROm 2nd, and the hard drive third. The hard drive is the primary drive and the CD rom is the secondary. I put the OS disk in the CD drive and it boots straight through to the hard drive

 

Quote:--and I have the floppy first, CD ROm 2nd, and the hard drive third. The hard drive is the primary drive and the CD rom is the secondary.

(BIOS must support booting from CD and boot order must be set so CD boots before hard drive.

 

BIOS does support booting from BIOS, and it is configured to boot from CD before hard drive. Here's how to set it from Dell:

Dell Dimension 4300, 4500, 4500S, 8100, or 8200 Series Systems

1. Insert a bootable CD into your CD drive.
2. Restart the system.
The Dell logo screen appears.
3. Press the <F2> key to enter the System Setup.
The System Setup screen appears.
4. Press the <Down Arrow> key to highlight Boot Sequence.
5. Press the <Enter> key to display the available boot devices.
6. Press the <Up Arrow> key or the <Down Arrow> key to highlight IDE CD-ROM Device.
7. Press the plus <+> key or the minus <-> key on the keyboard to move IDE CD-ROM Device to the top of the list.
8. Press the <ESC> key.
9. Press the <ESC> key to Save and Exit.
10. Press the <Enter> key to Save changes and exit now.

My question to ppreheim is, do you see a 'press any key to boot from CD' message during POST? Is the XP CD an original, or backup?

 

No, I have never seen a boot from CD message. The CD is a reinstall CD that came with my Dell 4200 which was purchased in 2003 or 04

 

Did your computer come with a floppy disk that had programs on it like format, fdisk, etc.
also you might want to set your cd drive as the first boot in your bios.

 

update: I got a different istall disk and I finally got the boot to CD message, only problem was that the input devices werent working during boot. I went into bios and changed on setting and then was finally able format the drive and reinstall. Thanks for the help.

I do have 2 questions though.

I am not sure my bios are set correctly unless windows reset them after formatting the drive. Is there a post that can helpme to set them correctly?

secondly, where can I buy the cheapest upgrade license for xp. I have 30 days to find one.

 

Ahh, your other disc isn't bootable? Heh, that might've been a problem.
AS for BIOS settings, there's usually an option to reset them to factory defaults, and if not, there's usually a jumper you can short to clear them (check your motherboard's manual). If that doesn't work, you can always pop out the CMOS battery for a few seconds. That does the trick.

As for the cheapest license, RESEARCH! It could be online, it could be at a vendor in your home town.

 

Cool, thanks for the help!!

 

make sure to unplug your ps before you pull the cmos battery. (there is a good chance your cmos will not reset to default if you do not unplug the ps first.) Also make sure to ground yourself.

 

Just guessing here, but the xp cd you're trying to load is from another pc? Hmmmmm. Don't think that's going to work without an XP OEM Cd with a valid key code.
Bronson7