I need help - can't install Windows XP Home Edition

  • Thread starter Thread starter jacintalawhone
  • Start date Start date
J

jacintalawhone

I just purchased a Dell Dimension 2400 PC from a guy on Ebay. He sent
me the system and it was cleaned out. The screen that comes up when I
turn it on is just the main screen that says Dell.

I put the CD in like it said to do, started it up and nothing happens.
There is a bar that looks like it's installing, but it stops after it
gets to a certain point. In the top right hand it says F12 Boot Menu.
I tried to push F12 and it just beeped at me.

Should I wait longer for it to install even though it looks like it's
not doing anything?

Your help is appreciated.

JC
 
I just purchased a Dell Dimension 2400 PC from a guy on Ebay. He sent
me the system and it was cleaned out. The screen that comes up when I
turn it on is just the main screen that says Dell.

I put the CD in like it said to do, started it up and nothing happens.
There is a bar that looks like it's installing, but it stops after it
gets to a certain point. In the top right hand it says F12 Boot Menu.
I tried to push F12 and it just beeped at me.

Should I wait longer for it to install even though it looks like it's
not doing anything?

Your help is appreciated.
Click to expand...


*** I just tried waiting for several minutes. Nothing happened still.
Also, this cd that is the Windows XP Home Edition says it's a
"REINSTALLATION CD" and that Windows XP is already installed on the
computer. Since the seller removed it all, do I have to have a
different cd to begin with? Hope you all can help!! Going crazy here!
 
DL said:
A reinstallation CD is likely tied to the sys that it was originally
supplied with
Click to expand...


Thanks for responding DL...So, what will I need to do? Will I have to
buy a new Windows XP system cd?? Or will I need the one that came with
the system? Which, I hope not. That is out of the question at this
point. I hope I don't have a useless pc sitting here...which I spent
too much on to begin with!
 
(e-mail address removed),
I just purchased a Dell Dimension 2400 PC from a guy on
Ebay. He sent me the system and it was cleaned out. The
screen that comes up when I turn it on is just the main
screen that says Dell.

I put the CD in like it said to do, started it up and
nothing happens. There is a bar that looks like it's
installing, but it stops after it gets to a certain point.
In the top right hand it says F12 Boot Menu. I tried to push
F12 and it just beeped at me.

Should I wait longer for it to install even though it looks
like it's not doing anything?

Your help is appreciated.

JC
Click to expand...

First think I'd check is whether the system is configured to
boot from the CD drive. When you start the computer, hit the F2
key. Look under Boot Sequence and make sure that the CD drive
is listed first.

Check page 75 of the users manual for more info:
http://www.support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim2400/en/F75560LRs.pdf

If your computer does not respond to hitting the F2 or F12
keys, try a different keyboard, preferably one that's not USB.
If you're unable to get the system to boot from the CD, it
could be an indication that the CD drive is junk or the
installation CD is damaged.

FYI, your installation CD should be similar to this one.
http://client.attenza.com/ektron/dell/mogden/XP_HOME_CD.gif

It goes without saying that the seller should be your first
contact in getting this issue resolved.

Good luck

Nepatsfan
 
Thanks for responding DL...So, what will I need to do? Will I have to
buy a new Windows XP system cd?? Or will I need the one that came with
the system? Which, I hope not. That is out of the question at this
point. I hope I don't have a useless pc sitting here...which I spent
too much on to begin with!
Click to expand...

Dell does or did ship computers with Reinstallation CD's, is the cd
labeled with the Dell logo? Then it probably is a valid cd for the
computer, as long as you got the license number to go with it you can
probably use it. I don't think you should just quite yet rush out and
buy another Windows license and spend more money, follow the advice
given by Nepatsfan or get someone knowledgeable with computers to give
you a hand with this.

John
 
That is the exact cd I have. The reinstallation cd from Dell. It came
still sealed. And in perfect condition, so I don't think the CD has any
problems.


I did try hitting F12 and just got beeped at.


I will try to rehook the whole thing up again and try hitting F2 and
see what happens. I just don't understand why it wouldn't just start
the installation process as the Windows manual says. It should.

Also, I can't contact the seller because it was a bad experience. He
turned out to be a very rude guy and so contacting him now is out of
the question. I tried contacting Dell but they said I'd need the
original owner's address and phone number when they purchased the
pc....all which I don't have and can't get now. So I am stuck unless I
get help on this forum.

I'll try to start it up and hit F2 and see what happens. Thanks for
everyone's help so far. I REALLY do appreciate more than I can say.
 
Ok, I hit F2 and just got a beep. As with all the keys I try. F12 does
the same thing..just beeps at me.

What should I do now? Or can I do anything?

One thing I don't understand is why it wouldn't just start up and begin
the installation process as most every other cd in the world! The CD
came brand new. No damage to it. So I know it can't be the CD. It's the
proper one and in extremely perfect condition.

The PC doesn't seem to be damaged in any way, except for a broken front
bezel.

It turns on and then I put the cd in and the loading bar gets to a
certain point and stops. It just sits there and does nothing. I thought
maybe I needed to wait longer, so I did, maybe 10 to 15 minutes...still
nothing.

What should my next step be? Anyone?

Thanks again SO MUCH any help.
 
Most likely because you are pressing the wrong key to access the BIOS.
The cd won't boot unless the BIOS Boot Order (or Boot Sequence) is set
to boot to the cd before the hard disk. What is the model number of the
computer? Do you have the Asset Tag number, it would be on a sticker
attached to the computer, with it you could search at Dell.com for the
user manuals for the computer. Try other keys to access the BIOS, Esc
and Delete are sometimes used by Dell systems. Usually with Dell when
you start the computer you see a message telling you which key to press,
something like "Setup=Whicheverkey"

John
 
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