Cannot reinstall WinXP on dell

[Guest]

My dell computer crashed and I restarted it to find out that some *.dll files
are missing and winXP can't boot.
I then inserted my dell winxp reinstallation cd and booted from it. It
loaded all drivers and asked me what to do. Anyway I selected to repair my
existing installation and it begun to examine my disk, processed files to be
copied and it stopped with a message cannot read *.dll asked me to skip this
file or to retry. Retry didn't work and I skipped the file. It turns out it
can't read a single file from CD. CD is not damaged or scratched.

Dell.com don't offer support to my country (Serbia), and I don't know what
is causing problem because it loaded all drivers from CD. I tried everything,
I used different CD reader, different CD, replaced hard disk with another one
and strangely computer doesn't recognize new disk.

When I bought computer I tried reinstallation procedure and it didn't work
then.

 

[Jim Macklin]

There is a hidden FAT32 partition on a Dell computer that
has the files needed so that a Dell Windows CD will install
and be activated. Switching hard drives will require that
you follow the standard Windows activation procedures.

Dell ships both a restore CD which will restore the hard
drive to the factory setup and they also supply the Windows
CD.

Perhaps your best option would be to use the restore CD
which will format and reinstall all programs as when the
computer was shipped. You will lose all data that is not
backed up. You should probably try a repair installation
first
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;Q315341&ID=KB;EN-US;Q315341
which may work and also save your existing files.

There should be a service tag number on your Dell computer
and using that you can access the Dell tech support on-line.


--
The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.


| My dell computer crashed and I restarted it to find out
that some *.dll files
| are missing and winXP can't boot.
| I then inserted my dell winxp reinstallation cd and booted
from it. It
| loaded all drivers and asked me what to do. Anyway I
selected to repair my
| existing installation and it begun to examine my disk,
processed files to be
| copied and it stopped with a message cannot read *.dll
asked me to skip this
| file or to retry. Retry didn't work and I skipped the
file. It turns out it
| can't read a single file from CD. CD is not damaged or
scratched.
|
| Dell.com don't offer support to my country (Serbia), and I
don't know what
| is causing problem because it loaded all drivers from CD.
I tried everything,
| I used different CD reader, different CD, replaced hard
disk with another one
| and strangely computer doesn't recognize new disk.
|
| When I bought computer I tried reinstallation procedure
and it didn't work
| then.

 

[Guest]

Typically the System Recovery Disks will totally reset the computer to
Factory Fresh state and this will delete all your personal data.

What you need to do is a Repair Install, that will not delete all you
application settings or personal data. If you have the full XP installation
CD or can borrow one from a friend [that is of the same version of XP as your
PC] perform a repair installation following this process:

Boot off the Installation CD

When you see the "Welcome To Setup" screen, you will see the options below

This portion of the Setup program prepares Microsoft
Windows XP to run on your computer:
To setup Windows XP now, press ENTER.
To repair a Windows XP installation using Recovery Console, press R.
To quit Setup without installing Windows XP, press F3.

Press Enter to start the Windows Setup. Do not go to Recovery Console!

Accept the License Agreement and Windows will search for existing Windows
installations.

Select the XP installation you want to repair from the list and press R to
start the repair.

Setup will copy the necessary files to the hard drive and reboot. Do not
press any key to boot from CD when the message appears. Setup will continue
as if it were doing a clean install, but your applications and settings will
remain intact.