XP install problem

[cjccmc]

I'm trying to load XP on a used Dell computer with a "wiped clean" disk.

First try goes well until I get to Welcome screen witt the "press Enter to continue XP install". But the keyboard has no power. It worked before I put the XP disc in because I hit the F2 key and got a screen display with the PC stats on it. Anyway I end up unplugging the PC from the outlet to shut it down.

Next I get another keyboard and make sure all the connections are good before powering on the PC. But now I just get the quick Dell screen and then the monitor only has a dark screen with a little blinking bar in the upper left corner. I try all kinds of amateur stuff to get it moving: hit Esc, Fx, all kinds of keys, try to reinsert the disk, CNTRL-ALT-DEL to restart numerous times, but nothing works, it always gets stuck the blinking bar display.

Assuming there's not a conspiracy among all the PC's that I know hate me, is there any thing I can do to get XP installed?

Thanks for your help!

Conrad

[cjccmc]

I'm thinking that it may be due to the fact that I shut the PC down with a hard power disconnect.

Some things I'm pretty sure of:

The XP disk is good
The PC does not respond to the F2 "setup" key press
The keyboard does power up and the PC does respond to the CNTRL-Alt-Del restart.

[ITlover]

Are u able to boot into safe mode? Try starting your computer in safe mode, press F8 key when booting the computer quickly and see if you get a menu. Just highlight the safe mode and press enter.

[Panama Red]

Can you get back in the bios? Check the pri and sec ide settings in the bios. Make sure you disable those connections that are not being used. Set the ones that are being used to Auto. When the bios is looking for an IDE device that is no longer connected you'll get the type of hang up you're describing.