format C :\ on Dell with windows xp

[jim gower]

bought used dell dimension 2300 desktop and it will not
install any new programs either from disk or internet--
old owner had an external hard drive along with 20 gig
internal hard disk---I get error message every time i try
to install a new program that reads[invalid drive F:\] I
do not have an F drive---have C:--D:[read only]---and E:
[cdrw]-- I can only assume the previous owner had his
external hard drive labeled F and that my computer is
trying to install new programs there. downloads but will
not instal without error message listed above HELP!!!!
have new copy of xp that came with computer new but it
will not load either-was going to format c and load xp
after backup-don't know haw to backup-have blank cdr
disks but can't find windows backup utility-corrupted???

 

[Dan]

-----Original Message-----
bought used dell dimension 2300 desktop and it will not
install any new programs either from disk or internet--
old owner had an external hard drive along with 20 gig
internal hard disk---I get error message every time i try
to install a new program that reads[invalid drive F:\] I
do not have an F drive---have C:--D:[read only]---and E:
[cdrw]-- I can only assume the previous owner had his
external hard drive labeled F and that my computer is
trying to install new programs there. downloads but will
not instal without error message listed above HELP!!!!
have new copy of xp that came with computer new but it
will not load either-was going to format c and load xp
after backup-don't know haw to backup-have blank cdr
disks but can't find windows backup utility-corrupted???
.

They may have set it up to boot from external drive, so
you have to go into the BIOS to set it to boot from C:
drive.

 

[Michael Stevens]

bought used dell dimension 2300 desktop and it will not
install any new programs either from disk or internet--
old owner had an external hard drive along with 20 gig
internal hard disk---I get error message every time i try
to install a new program that reads[invalid drive F:\] I
do not have an F drive---have C:--D:[read only]---and E:
[cdrw]-- I can only assume the previous owner had his
external hard drive labeled F and that my computer is
trying to install new programs there. downloads but will
not instal without error message listed above HELP!!!!
have new copy of xp that came with computer new but it
will not load either-was going to format c and load xp
after backup-don't know haw to backup-have blank cdr
disks but can't find windows backup utility-corrupted???

When you run a program install, choose custom or select the location to
install. You can then set install to the correct location [path].

--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm