setup cannot continue because the version of windows on your compu

[Daave]

Very strange, since I got my Dell Inspiron in January. Are you
positive there isn't a Ctrl-F11 option at bootup?

Positive. The only options are F2 and F12. The hidden partition only
contains utilities. I guess Inspirons and Vostros are set up
differently. FWIW, the Vostro was purchased via the "Small & Medium
Business" part of the Dell Web site.

 

[Bill in Co.]

But I have that too, so that doesn't negate the possibility. More
below...

Positive. The only options are F2 and F12. The hidden partition only
contains utilities. I guess Inspirons and Vostros are set up
differently. FWIW, the Vostro was purchased via the "Small & Medium
Business" part of the Dell Web site.

You ought to check that out more by running DSRFIX to make sure you didn't
accidentally remove that specific Dell restore bootup option, if you want
it.
(DSR = Dell System Restore)

Note: ANY changes made to the MBR can remove that Ctrl-F11 bootup option.
See DSRFIX at http://www.goodells.net/dellrestore/

 

[Daave]

But I have that too, so that doesn't negate the possibility. More
below...


You ought to check that out more by running DSRFIX to make sure you
didn't accidentally remove that specific Dell restore bootup option,
if you want it.
(DSR = Dell System Restore)

Note: ANY changes made to the MBR can remove that Ctrl-F11 bootup
option. See DSRFIX at http://www.goodells.net/dellrestore/

Nothing was removed, accidentally or otherwise, Bill. From the page you
referenced:

<quote>
Troubleshooting the Restore Process

The Dell-specific Ctrl+F11 process is supposed to completely automate
the restoration process, returning the hard disk to the state it was in
when Dell shipped the computer. However, overwriting the MBR by using a
boot manager, using the commands "fixmbr" or "fdisk /mbr", installing
from a Windows installation CD, and assorted other tasks a user might do
will inadvertantly break Ctrl+F11, rendering the system unable to boot
the DSR partition. Furthermore, changing the partitioning by adding,
deleting, or resizing partitions will cause DSRcheck to fail, so even if
Ctrl+F11 works, the restore process will abort without attempting to
restore the Ghost image.
</quote>

None of the above was done.