I need help

[RJBarrettster]

Hi there,

 

I tried to install Windows 7 on my Dell Deminsion 2400 computer, and it f***ed up the computer.

Here's the long story:

 

I decided to install Windows 7, but without the CD.

So I mounted a ISO of Windows 7 to a drive. (Not a phsyical drive.)

Then I done the setup from the ISO from the computer.

It asked to update the installation, and then it copied the Windows files to the computer.

Then it started to restart. But the trouble was, it was an ISO that was mounted to the computer. There was no disk in the drive.

So now it's rebooting to continue the setup. But it's overwrited the Windows XP.

Now it's stuck in a continues loop, and it says at the bottom of the installation screen after restarting "This installation was not sucessful. Changes made during installation proceser being undone. Do not restart computer."

 

I don't have the installation disk for Windows 7, and now we don't have a computer.

NEED URGENT HELP!!!

[Slamman]

Only ISO I downloaded was Windows 8 IIRC, and I've yet to burn it, but it seems a mistake to not have a fresh HDD to begin with, even though Windows 7 is more forgiving about the computer hardware then other, Vista or Windows 8 beta?!? haha

I'm sure someone has a better idea of what you did wrong, but what are the specs for that Dimension? Seems awfully low in the normal Dell model configuration scheme. If you can, make an attempt to a good drive, then daisy chain the problematic one, you can perhaps move needed files off or on, if it shows up in My Computer, and to add, I recently read that Microsoft plans to do away with the "MY" additions in Windows, like My Pictures, My Videos, which I tend to favor..

 

 

This the motherboard config? P4, HT perhaps? DDR2 or DDR1?

AGP or PCIe? Just wondering off hand

 

 

I'd hazard it's DDR 333/400 and omitted AGP x4 over x8, but they have used the 8x AGP port that I know of

Edited January 29, 2012 by Slamman

[RJBarrettster]

 

Only ISO I downloaded was Windows 8 IIRC, and I've yet to burn it, but it seems a mistake to not have a fresh HDD to begin with, even though Windows 7 is more forgiving about the computer hardware then other, Vista or Windows 8 beta?!? haha

I'm sure someone has a better idea of what you did wrong, but what are the specs for that Dimension? Seems awfully low in the normal Dell model configuration scheme. If you can, make an attempt to a good drive, then daisy chain the problematic one, you can perhaps move needed files off or on, if it shows up in My Computer, and to add, I recently read that Microsoft plans to do away with the "MY" additions in Windows, like My Pictures, My Videos, which I tend to favor..

 

 

This the motherboard config? P4, HT perhaps? DDR2 or DDR1?

AGP or PCIe? Just wondering off hand

 

 

I'd hazard it's DDR 333/400 and omitted AGP x4 over x8, but they have used the 8x AGP port that I know of

I don't know the specs of the Deminsion, since it's 7 years old and I haven't got the box

Now I can't print anything, since all I have left is an Android tablet.

I was thinking of buying the Windows 7 install disk and pop it into the CD drive. Will it then continue the installation if I choose that option?

 

Edit: It's wiped the previous OS off the comp, so I can't go back.

Edited January 29, 2012 by RJBarrettster

[Slamman]

The Dim2400 is apparently devoid of an AGP slot, though it's silkscreened to be included. I picked up a Dimension 4550, a $900 computer back in the early 2000s, it DOES have AGP support and P4, mine is outfitted with it's original COA (on the case) Using a blank HDD so it's starting a new life over, and I paid only $10 for it!!

 

http://www.overclock.net/t/664136/gfs-watermelon-computer

 

Not mine, but the same 2400 I came across a project of ^

 

The chipset would dictate the best migration of a HDD already set about, if you didn't register your Win7 COA, it would be best to skip over something that old, attaching to a KNOWN booting drive, Daisy Chaining means using an External HDD approach, since SATA supports the same type Daisy Chaining as Firewire tech does, meaning you can attach more then one item to the same cable, one into another, but mostly, if you have dedicated ports, use them on a single bases, since that's easier. Few people seem to mention that SATA should allow more then one or two drives per interface, but I believe it's part of the newer spec, versus IDE limited to two drives

Edited January 29, 2012 by Slamman

[leik oh em jeez!]

 

Hi there,

 

I tried to install Windows 7 on my Dell Deminsion 2400 computer, and it f***ed up the computer.

Here's the long story:

 

I decided to install Windows 7, but without the CD.

So I mounted a ISO of Windows 7 to a drive. (Not a phsyical drive.)

Then I done the setup from the ISO from the computer.

It asked to update the installation, and then it copied the Windows files to the computer.

Then it started to restart. But the trouble was, it was an ISO that was mounted to the computer. There was no disk in the drive.

So now it's rebooting to continue the setup. But it's overwrited the Windows XP.

Now it's stuck in a continues loop, and it says at the bottom of the installation screen after restarting "This installation was not sucessful. Changes made during installation proceser being undone. Do not restart computer."

 

I don't have the installation disk for Windows 7, and now we don't have a computer.

NEED URGENT HELP!!!

1. ALWAYS have a hard copy of the disk.

2. Don't pirate software.

3. If you just turn it on and leave it, it should be able to undo everything and revert back to XP unless you completely formatted the hard drive.

4. Chances are one of your friends has an XP CD laying around, if you formatted the hard drive, you can use his disk to reinstall XP.

5. Before you try to install Windows 7 again, make sure you have at least a DVD-R drive, and that there are drivers for Windows 7 for all of your hardware.

6. If and when you finally do get 7 installed, DO NOT connect it to the internet. Instead, let it boot offline, open Windows Update, and block update KB971033. Then you can connect to the internet.

7. If you've got an Intel 82845G chipset, there are no Vista drivers. I'm unsure if there are Windows 7 drivers, but XP drivers will work on 32-bit versions of Vista for this specific hardware. (With limited functionality.)

[Wolf68k]

Where exactly did you get this ISO?

[Stinky12]

From what I know, you cannot perform a upgrade to Win7 unless you have Vista.

For XP you are required to do a clean installation, but if you have not perform a format, then XP is still intact.

When your system restarts, press F8 you will get a option screen and one option is to go

back to earlier version of Windows. You will only see that option once, before you log into Win7 for the very first time.

 

[Slamman]

Assumedily it's not an Upgrade version, but if you can register via COA, as I mentioned, ISO or no, it won't matter one iota! haha

[Wolf68k]

At least half of the problem is that he mounted the ISO using a virtual drive. While yes that would start the process of installing the OS the rest of the install has to be done using a real disc.

[RJBarrettster]

I've given up the idea of Windows 7 then. I've got the XP reinstall disk on me. I put it into the bottom tray (cd tray) and I restart the computer and I press F12. And i click on IDE CD-ROM Device, and it comes up with "strike F1 to retry boot, F2 for setup utility." Now i need help reinstalling XP.

[Slamman]

It's fine to test drive Windows 7, but don't try and upgrade unless you have an upgrade version, really, that's the best tact

ALSO, Windows 7 is better then trying to get Vista to work, and Windows 8 is not nearly perfected of course, so that should be on a trail basis. MS offers trial beta versions for free, so that's fine to try the OS out, but don't abandon XP since games work VERY well on XP OS, the memory factor is the biggest sticking point for me.

 

Try having nLite onhand I think it is, for XP anyway, it allows some better install options, May or may not suit you, just throwing it out there, COA collecting will pay off if you have the Ultimate version OS actual DISC, I've installed the same OS off the same disc more then once and registered them with a different COA tied to whatever version it is, it saved me on my laptop since that Vista Ulti format gave me KSOD and I've not recovered from that at all, my disc content is locked away behind a blacKScreenOfDeath!

Vista seems to suffer this fate without warning and not much to remedy it either, so with KSOD, I am turned off Vista from now on.

 

Specific to your problem, Use the other tray, obviously. Is your IDE tied to one ATA cable?

PATA of course, old IDE tech on that, You should try moving EACH drive's jumpers to test their working arrangement as far as the computer BIOS seeing them properly, Start off with CS, Cable Select for each drive (far left jumper set normally), Then the top or main drive (DVD RW often the best choice) as Master, the other drive as a Slave, since they must share the same parallel cable.

One of the two should normally show both drives in BIOS (SETUP), if not, then one or both drives COULD be needing replacement or repairs

Edited January 30, 2012 by Slamman

[RJBarrettster]

 

It's fine to test drive Windows 7, but don't try and upgrade unless you have an upgrade version, really, that's the best tact

ALSO, Windows 7 is better then trying to get Vista to work, and Windows 8 is not nearly perfected of course, so that should be on a trail basis. MS offers trial beta versions for free, so that's fine to try the OS out, but don't abandon XP since games work VERY well on XP OS, the memory factor is the biggest sticking point for me.

 

Try having nLite onhand I think it is, for XP anyway, it allows some better install options, May or may not suit you, just throwing it out there, COA collecting will pay off if you have the Ultimate version OS actual DISC, I've installed the same OS off the same disc more then once and registered them with a different COA tied to whatever version it is, it saved me on my laptop since that Vista Ulti format gave me KSOD and I've not recovered from that at all, my disc content is locked away behind a blacKScreenOfDeath!

Vista seems to suffer this fate without warning and not much to remedy it either, so with KSOD, I am turned off Vista from now on

You did not read my post, did you?

 

I am having trouble installing Windows XP, since the installer won't even start.

"I am having trouble installing Windows XP. I start up the computer, press F12, then it comes up with 6 options. I click the third one, IDE CD-ROM Device. Then two seconds later, it says, strike F1 to retry boot, F2 for setup utility."

 

EDIT: I am putting the Windows XP disk into the CD-ROM Drive, not the DVD Drive.

[Slamman]

I was actually entering the thread before your reply, so I was appending info, Don't worry, I saw your post as well ^

 

BTW, it doesn't matter if you put a CD ROM into a DVD ROM drive, it is "backwards compatible"

I would assume you might need to replace the drive, mechanically, like any ODD, they break down internally

[RJBarrettster]

I was actually entering the thread before your reply, so I was appending info, Don't worry, I saw your post as well ^

 

BTW, it doesn't matter if you put a CD ROM into a DVD ROM drive, it is "backwards compatible"

I would assume you might need to replace the drive, mechanically, like any ODD, they break down internally

Sorry.

 

I deleted the DVD driver 6 years ago, hasn't worked since. So I can only use the CD-ROM Drive.

[Slamman]

Drive drivers really don't exist, there is Firmware for slim and standard drives, but I've avoided using them almost entirely. If you enter setup, check what drives it shows, in the BIOS, all BIOS should tell you what drives the computer can "see", then re-arrange what you have cable wise, re-testing

 

[RJBarrettster]

Drive drivers really don't exist, there is Firmware for slim and standard drives, but I've avoided using them almost entirely. If you enter setup, check what drives it shows, in the BIOS, all BIOS should tell you what drives the computer can "see", then re-arrange what you have cable wise, re-testing

If 'taking apart' is what you mean by 'cable wire, re-testing', then I can't do that.

[Slamman]

Not the drive, though you can remove each drive's metal housing and monitor disc activity, only requirement is the upper hub be added directly between the spindle and hub when you put the disc where it normally resides. I do this to test a disc's proper reading attributes. You should make it a point to keep a back up ODD around, either an external slimLine model (used in u/sFF and laptops) or desktop variant since they come in handy, bottom line. I advise pulling the drive and checking your IDA/PATA jumpers, and look at your START UP / BIOS, report your findings, other then that, there's not much we can do to aid your effort

 

The normal DIY requires you open things up, cases, that is.

 

Dell USED to have nice support, but looking at their revamp support link, there's nothing there! WTF!??

 

http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/.../NoDriversFound

 

Anywho, finding the specs would help, there you can find drivers missing and support for OSes

The other thing as mentioned above is the larger your content, the more space you need, you do the MATH! It means DVD ROM is required for games like GTA nowadays, as well as the improved and enlarged Operating Systems, if any abbreviations are confusing you, I used standard ones you can find looking them up, for instance ODD is Optical Disc Drive.

USFF means Ultra Small Form Factor, or SFF is a slighltly larger desktop, then you move to MiniTowers or Mid tower PCs and full on Towers! haha

 

 

The "C" regarding 2400C means Compact, or another SFF of that Dimension Dell, here's a specific forum question about Win 7 on that computer, the 2003 reference seems to be incorrect if you use the drivers that Dell offers under the 2400C listing on their site

 

http://www.sevenforums.com/graphic-cards/1...controller.html

Edited January 30, 2012 by Slamman

[Wolf68k]

Good lord he confused me.

 

 

@RJBarrettster

Take a step back with me.

You said....it comes up with "strike F1 to retry boot, F2 for setup utility."

It what? The BIOS or the OS installer?

Slamman was right about at least one thing; check the BIOS to make sure the CD and DVD drives are listed. You can use either one to install XP since XP is on a CD-ROM disc.

[Slamman]

You call all my DELL-centric advice confusing, when you're confused and I'm not

I work on and OWN actual Dell computers, since my parents got one, the message he's referring to is most likely Dell's own error message, they may not use the term BIOS in place of Startup, I'm on a Sony Vaio at present and my Dells are in storage, but I'm getting parts to build a Precision M60 laptop at present, I also sold some newer Dual core Dells over the past several years, and repaired a number of Optiplex uSFFs that have Dell's GUI BIOS, the older Bios I think would be Phoenix branded however

[RJBarrettster]

Good lord he confused me.

 

 

@RJBarrettster

Take a step back with me.

You said....it comes up with "strike F1 to retry boot, F2 for setup utility."

It what? The BIOS or the OS installer?

Slamman was right about at least one thing; check the BIOS to make sure the CD and DVD drives are listed. You can use either one to install XP since XP is on a CD-ROM disc.

I don't know what the message is for. But Slamman is proberly right.

 

 

[friendly luggage]

Turn on your pc, while the dell logo appears press F2 or whatever key it says to go into the bios. In there go to boot devices and make sure your DVD or CD drive is at the top of the list. Save and exit your bios and now try installing XP.

Edited January 31, 2012 by illegal_luggage

[RJBarrettster]

Turn on your pc, while the dell logo appears press F2 or whatever key it says to go into the bios. In there go to boot devices and make sure your DVD or CD drive is at the top of the list. Save and exit your bios and now try installing XP.

I went to the BIOS, and went to Boot Sequence. There were my hard drive, and the CD tray.

I disabled the hard drive from booting first, so the CD tray would boot.

So then I exited the BIOS and saved the settings.

The computer restarted and the disk was spinning for 3 seconds, then the message 'strike F1 to retry boot, F2 for setup utility'.

I clicked F1 about 10 times, and the same message pops up.

 

• F1 = Try to load the disk again

• F2 = BIOS

[Slamman]

The Dell F12 Function key should work on desktops and laptops alike, if the drive is allowed to boot that way, and you observe the CD or DVD ROM is spinning the disc, then the drive is giving an error. Much more likely then the computer.

I would upgrade from that mainboard, see about getting a 4550 like I did, I think, however, moving up to the next model above allows AGP x8, much better for gaming options, the 4550 is AGP x4, now that I think about it

[RJBarrettster]

The Dell F12 Function key should work on desktops and laptops alike, if the drive is allowed to boot that way, and you observe the CD or DVD ROM is spinning the disc, then the drive is giving an error. Much more likely then the computer.

I would upgrade from that mainboard, see about getting a 4550 like I did, I think, however, moving up to the next model above allows AGP x8, much better for gaming options, the 4550 is AGP x4, now that I think about it

We have no f*cking money. If we did, I would have brought a Windows 7 disk.

[Wolf68k]

Did you try the disc in both drives?

Try this disc in other system that you know is working perfectly. Don't worry about it doing anything for the files on that system at boot up. Once it gets to a point where you can tell for sure that it's booting from the CD and not the HDD then you can just hit the reset button or force the system off and restart to get the disc out.

 

 

As for you not buying Win7. Shame shame shame

Normally I would lock the topic because of that, however since you're not having problems get a legal copy of XP to install then I'll let it go.

[Slamman]

I wasn't sure about XP, though I should know I have CD ROM for that, but Win7 or Vista is on DVD format. I have an old languishing copy of Suse Linux 10, That came in several discs, one install on a set of CD ROMs, the other on ONE DVD, so there's a need for that higher capacity storage, and it just seems time to look for an ODD upgrade. About $20 to $30 will do it

 

Not too much, man, sell something to make the odd $25 to $50 bucks.

Windows 7 is expensive, I won't argue there, I still have only one copy of Vista and Win 7, 32 and 64bit, respectively

 

In Wolf's example, if you're testing the XP disc on a setup system, it's still a bit risky, unless you've worked with installs enough to know where and when, but it loads files from the XP disc to your online dynamic RAM, so it's storing the i365 file for the most part, I believe, and then it will reboot at a point where you don't need to press a Space key to boot from a detected drive.

It just goes automatically to the C drive if not prompted.

 

It should be checking for previous Windows installs, so anytime you might go past that point, could cause trouble for your pre-format OS

Edited January 31, 2012 by Slamman

[RJBarrettster]

I wasn't sure about XP, though I should know I have CD ROM for that, but Win7 or Vista is on DVD format. I have an old languishing copy of Suse Linux 10, That came in several discs, one install on a set of CD ROMs, the other on ONE DVD, so there's a need for that higher capacity storage, and it just seems time to look for an ODD upgrade. About $20 to $30 will do it

 

Not too much, man, sell something to make the odd $25 to $50 bucks.

Windows 7 is expensive, I won't argue there, I still have only one copy of Vista and Win 7, 32 and 64bit, respectively

 

In Wolf's example, if you're testing the XP disc on a setup system, it's still a bit risky, unless you've worked with installs enough to know where and when, but it loads files from the XP disc to your online dynamic RAM, so it's storing the i365 file for the most part, I believe, and then it will reboot at a point where you don't need to press a Space key to boot from a detected drive.

It just goes automatically to the C drive if not prompted.

 

It should be checking for previous Windows installs, so anytime you might go past that point, could cause trouble for your pre-format OS

I'm not going to get anywhere. I'll have to buy a new computer in 2 years.

[Stinky12]

You can do is remove your HDD, hook it up to another as slave and grab the iso out.

Then burn iso to DVD and viola you have yourself a Win7 disc.

Another is to make yourself a bootable Win7 USB drive, I do that all the time and it works great.

Also Win7 disc doesn't cost a damn thing, it's the license key.

 

Most dell have a recovery partition. They use various set of hot keys so look at your manual.

The most common was Ctrl+F11

Edited January 31, 2012 by Stinky12

[Slamman]

You can hook two drives to one IDA or PATA cable, but again, monitor the jumpers, it could also show up and have trouble reading if the jumpers are mismatched or something, SATA does away with drive based jumpers, but you can match ODD and HDD on one cable

[RJBarrettster]

You can hook two drives to one IDA or PATA cable, but again, monitor the jumpers, it could also show up and have trouble reading if the jumpers are mismatched or something, SATA does away with drive based jumpers, but you can match ODD and HDD on one cable

I am new to comps, so I don't understand this