Problems Reinstalling Windows XP on old computer

[Mark Adams]

Thanks Mark!
The install hangs at 39 minutes.

That's early in the install routine, you may have a hardware problem other
than your CD drive. Take the hard drive out and look at the label to find the
manufacturer. Go to the manufacturer's website and download the diagnostic
tools for that model hard drive. Burn to CD and test the hard drive. Make
sure the boot order is set to CD. Download Memtest86 and run a check on the
computer's RAM. If anything tests bad, replace it. If the RAM and Hard drive
test good, download a Knoppix boot disk and run it. The Knoppix runs without
installing to the hard drive so Windows isn't running, so the upper and lower
filters issue won't even be in the picture. If the Knoppix won't run, then
you likely have some problem with the mainboard, since you have already
replaced the CD drive.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

1. Contact Dell Support or search the Dell KB for instructions.

2. If the procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting
this isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA or Geek Squad) computer repair shop.