Trying to reinstall windows XP on Dell Dimension 8300....cant' start up using the CD drive...

Hi

It can be quite frustrating when your trying to re-install windows and and it by passes the cd rom and boots from the hard drive again.


Just a note to consider as well, once you have changed the boot up sequence and the pc or lap boots from the cd rom.


Sometimes when the windows cd boots from the cd rom the message on the screen will say push any button to boot from the cd rom.


But when you push any button on the key board it doesn't work and the cd keeps running and if its not activated the pc will then proceed to boot from the hard drive.


The reason why this happens is because the keyboard has a USB connection and not the original PS2 connection, so when the pc boots it automatically acknowledges the original PS2 connections for the keyboard and mouse by default.


But not always the USB ports because the USB ports needs the windows drivers to recognize it after the pc starts up, unless you enable it and save it in the CMOS settings before you boot up and this will depend on the motherboard features.

Thats why USB keyboards sometimes wont work when your pressing any key to activate the re-installation of windows.


Use a old keyboard for this or an adapter or enable USB in the CMOS settings if your MB has the option.


cheers

You likely need to change the boot sequence in your BIOS so that your CD Drive is listed as the first boot drive with your primary hard drive then being listed second.

Instructions for doing so are below but be very CAREFUL not to make any additional changes as the wrong settings could render your computer useless.

1. Shut your Presario 5000 down and wait for it to power off completely. Press the power button and watch the screen carefully.
   
2. Tap the "F1" key as soon as you see the Compaq logo on the screen. The F1 key allows you to enter the Presario 5000's setup utility.
   
3. Press the right arrow key until you see the "Boot" option. Press the down arrow until you see "Boot Device Priority."
   
4. Select the CD-ROM drive using the down arrow key, then press the plus sign key until the CD-ROM drive is first in the priority order.
   
5. Exit the setup program, save your changes and restart your computer. The Presario will now boot from the CD before the hard drive or other devices.
   

Inpect the computers preexisting operating systems to ascertain compartibility to windows XP. Only XP computers would recognise XP operatign systems. Attemptign to install windows XP onto alternate system either windows 98, 2000, mellanuim or Vista XP or 7 is least achieveable unless the old system were erased or new empty storage disk drive were acquired and replaced.