Re: Dimension L700cxe problems


bogie wrote:
"Christopher Muto" <muto@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:i4vXf.845$jf7.389@xxxxxxxxxxx
it sounds strange that you would get that far and then have it fail. i
wonder if the memory is fully recognized by the system or it is failing
because the memory though reported as recognized is not really
operational. but having said that i have had all sorts of problems
installing xp on dimension lxxx series computers when booting from the xp
cd. many simply won't boot with an xp cd. they boot with other cds but
not the xp cd. i don't know if it is something strange about the bios,
the controller, or the cd rom drives that are in these machines but it
happens. you should flash the machine with the latest bios if you haven't
done so and then try again. try a different cd rom drive. and as last
resort you can do what always worked for me... installed windows 98 and
then once it boots into 98 then insert the xp cd and do a full install
(formatting the drive in the process). keep in mind that there is no need
to load drivers for the 98 install since you will completely overwrite it,
and it installs very quickly (under 15 minutes). when you figure it out
let us know what happens.

"bogie" <bogart86@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:SkuXf.71422$%84.23175@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To make a short story long.... Upgrading the PC for a friend, it sports
512RAM and a new 40 gigHD. I'm trying to install a non-Dell branded
version of xp which should work on this PC, since it has been used on
other Dells. When it gets to installing the system files, it stops
prompting it cannot install ntfs.sys; press ESC to skip or enter to
retry. Of course, retry does nothing but loops the same message, skipping
the file, I get the same message about other system file then it stops
and says xp was not installed then reboots. OK I tried to install
windows 2000, but I go through the same thing but with different system
files. I move the hard drive to a different Dell (a gx260) and it
installed with no problem. I noticed the Bios was a A11 level so I
upgraded the Bios to A14, but after the reboot, no it stays on the DELL
intro screen a goes no further. I can get into the Bios and it says its
at A14 level and I can toggle thru the screen but it will not Boot to the
floppy or CD or HD, it just stops at the Dell screen. I have not gone
any further than that.

Should I clear the NVRAM or CMOS and start over? I figured I would get
better responses in here since you guys have helped me in the past.
Any suggestions? I am a sys admin so I will understand any tech talk.
You know how it is, a different perspective in troubleshooting always
helps.

Thanks
Bogie



Thanks for the reply, I will try the Bios again and report my findings. I
will give the 98 to xp a try also if the bios retry does not work.

Results: I tried everything and no dice. I also recieved the BSOD in
the middle of the set-up. When I originally receive the PC it had one
stick of 128 MB RAM. I replaced it with the 512 as posted before. So
just for s**ts and giggles, I put the 128 back and XP installed
normally. I guess it did not like my RAM. Well any it working.
Thanks everyone. Effing machines.

.

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