Reformatting a Dell Dimension 2400

[y2kman]

Hi

Can anyone tell me if there is anything special I need to know prior to reformatting a DELL Dimension 2400 Computer with XP?

I have all the original CDs that came with the system. XP, Drivers etc.

Can I Fdisk? I do not see a Restore Disk.

Any help especially on using the proper software to get started would be very much appreciated.

Thanks
Dave

[Cricket]

Is one of the CD's a genuine Microsoft Windows XP installation CD?

Cricket

[y2kman]

They are all Genuine yes. It's the one that came with the computer.

Dave

[shartken]

If you are formating to erase data, the Windows XP format won't do it. You need a low level format, such as one that you can download off the manufacturers website. You can also download killdisk which will zero fill the drive and erase all data, which you can find here: here!

If you are formating because your computer is not working correctly, try the Windows repair first. Formating is not neccessary and will entail a lot more work. If the repair doesn't work try installing Windows in a new folder.

Could you tell us why you want to format?

[y2kman]

The drive only has a busy mouse and it won't let me do anything. Opening an application takes about 7-10 minutes. It seems like someone downloaded some spyware, virus or whatever online and it is bogging down the resources or so it seems.

Nothing runs. Ctr + Alt + Del does not show anything running but as always there are many processes there. I just won't know which one to kill if any.

It's for someone that I am trying to help so I do not have the complete history except for they do get on line with the puter and that is all they told me. I tried installing a spyware but no go.

Thanks Dave

[shartken]

Try the repair install first. If it works then run anti-virus anti-spyware. Also try posting a hijackthis log. This will keep all programs and files

If that doesn't work try installing Windows in a seperate folder, then run anti-virus and anti-spyware. This will keep all files but programs must be reinstalled. This should work.

You will need the license key for both of these.

[Raskolnikov]

you might have bad suprises but good luck : )

[y2kman]

Ok so I am assuming that the repair install is on the CD? Also it seems like what you guys are saying is that it is really not worth it to reformat from scratch?
I have done this quite a bit on other systems I just haven't done it with this system.

Oh and do I find the Ethernet drivers in inf folder? I was planning on backing up the entire C important files in case anyway.

Thanks guys
Dave

[Cricket]

Have you tested the hard drive with the manufacturer's diagnostic utility yet? I'd do that first and then move on from there.

How To Perform A Windows XP Repair Install.

Cricket

[y2kman]

Sounds like a good start Cricket.

Thanks to everyone

I will report back.

Dave

[doubledragon5]

You might want to also reboot into safe mode and do a virus check, spyware check to. My going in to safe mode it will load only the necessary items to run in that mode. Then you can scan you system and remove any spyware and anti virus you find. I believe for Dell it is F8 key to get to safemode.

[y2kman]

Yes I am trying that right now. Stepping out. Will report back soon.

Thanks much
Dave

[y2kman]

Hey folks for WinXP repair I did not get the repair option. Only the recovery console.

I tried the second option [and 1st option] according to
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
But still no go.

Someone mentioned installing XP to a separate directory. Steps on this will be great. Otherwise steps on a clean install would work. I already backed up the hard drive.

Thanks
Dave

[thefultonhow]

If you're backed up and you've found the XP CD, there's no need to do an install into a separate directory. Just put the CD in, boot, and go through the prompts until you get to the partitioning utility. Then, delete your current partition and create a new one, and follow through the rest of the prompts. The drivers can be found on the Dimension Resource CD once you're done installing Windows -- install chipset first, then network, then Service Pack 2, then graphics, and finally and any other drivers.

[y2kman]

I spoke to a friend of mine yesterday that strongly advised me not to reformat a Dell because he had major problems even though he was on the phone with the Dell techs. So he just gave up on it.

But pleeeeeeaze don't get me wrong!!! I am not saying because of his experience that this is universally true. I just want to be sure it is safe to follow through on this without any problems seeing this is a Dell.

Your help and instructions are all very much appreciated so far. I do not take any of it for granted.

So I am saying this with all due respect to all you expert techs.

I am hoping you can prove me wrong.

Thanks
Dave

[thefultonhow]

I have reformatted many Dells without problems. In fact, I have a Dimension 2400 sitting right next to me that I am currently reformatting for a customer, and I don't forsee having any problems with it, either.

[shartken]

yeah you're friends probably an idiot who was listening to some rep in India getting paid peanuts. A Dell is no different than any other computer, except that the quality is a little lower and the price is about 50% higher.

You can do it no problem. Just follow through with Windows setup and choose the same Windows folder if you want to past the point of no return and reinstall all your programs (your files will be the same). If you install it in a different folder (like Windows2) there's a chance you can salvage your old settings if you know what you're doing.

[macko72]

I don't know why are you making all fuss about this just do clean install and that's it if you need explanation how to do it just ask!!!
1. Change BIOS settings to boot from CD
2. Insert Win XP CD in CD Rom And Press any key when prompt
3. Delete Curent Partitions and create new ones(partitions) + format them
4. Start installation(it was started by formating)
And you have new(clean) install of windows xp no mater is it Dell or anything else!!!!

[shartken]

bear with him man remember how intimidating the blue install screen and the command prompt was when you first saw it?

[TeenPcknowit]

Originally Posted by shartken bear with him man remember how intimidating the blue install screen and the command prompt was when you first saw it?

Haha, oooooooooooohh yeh. It's even more frightening when you know you just put together a crem de la crem pc and all you can stare at for the next 45 minutse is blue.

[macko72]

Originally Posted by shartken bear with him man remember how intimidating the blue install screen and the command prompt was when you first saw it?

No one shall be afraid it's only a machine!!!

[y2kman]

Great! I completed the installation! I opted for a new directory [WIN] during installation becuz in case they have other personal files they need to get to it's all still there.

I was also kinda paranoid. LOL!

All went very well. Drivers were all checked letting me know what it found on the puter so I installed them all.

I am now finalizing some things.

Actually I am not new to this. In the past 2/3 years I've only repaired about 2/3 puters so I wanted to be sure I was up on things before tackling this one.

Been repairing installing etc for years now but I just wasn't up-to-date on the latest stuff.

Of course now it's multibooting to the old and new OS so I was thinking if I should edit the msdos.sys or is it the boot file? so it can just automatically boot without these options or should I just leave it like that? Or?

How do I set it do boot automatically and bypass that screen?

I rather have it bypass that screen if I can.

I even upgraded to SP2 after installing my Cable Modem so that saved me some time even though it was still a very slow process.

Thanks so very much guys
Great help
Dave

[macko72]

That's the way to do it!!!

Enter boot.ini and make it as you wish here are some examples: http://www.geocities.com/thestarman3...br/bootini.htm

[y2kman]

Ok I am a little confused on this one. Here is my ini file

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WIN
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WIN="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect

I do not see an id. They are both located on the same partition. I want to keep the first one.

They are saying to type

bootcfg /delete /ID# at command prompt

where # is the boot entry id you want to delete but I do not see an id or do not know how to recognize it.

I am thinking I just need to enter a 2 for the 2nd OS?

Dave

[thefultonhow]

You should delete this line from the INI file:

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect

Then save the file. That's all you need to do.

[y2kman]

Actually I did think about doing that but was skeptical. The way I figure it, MS don't want just anyone editing the file directly and so direct them to the command line to be safe.

Thanks so much and many many many thanks [ad infinitum] to everyone who helped.

This is a great forum!!!!
Dave

[lostinpok]

If I only have the pre-installed OS discs that came with the Dell, how do I go about reformatting? Same thing? Will it boot off those CDs?

Despite a good antivirus program something seems to have happened to our Dell. Just about every app I click won't run, I get a "Windows cannot access specified device" error. They seem to work in Safe Mode, though.

Anybody have ideas short of reformatting?

Thanks
Lost

[glc]

Back up your data and run the PC Restore program. Press Ctrl+F11 on startup to access it. If the recovery partition is not there, then you will need to boot with your reinstallation CD.

[y2kman]

Maybe try to run other AV or Spyware programs or get a report from hijack this and post back.

But I will try what jlc said if that is possible. It's much easier.

dave