Dell xps 720 cant reinstall xp

ro1798

when i try to install xp from boot i keep getting to the windoes is starting dialogue and then bluescreen error

anyone have any clue on how to sort it out?

ronkmonster

could be bad cd. motherboard issue. cd drive issue.

why are you reinstalling? was there issues in windows before this?

sandleman1979

In the BIOS of the machine, check to see what setting the hard drive is set too. Modern laptops have a new setting that works with the image that the machine came with. Windows XP setup cannot see the drive and blue screens.

It maybe because there is a raid controller, or that the setting for sata mode is set to . Windows XP will only see legacy-ATA mode at the install stage.

If its a raid controller, you'll need the files on a floppy and need ot press f6.
for the sata mode thats in the bios.

Prefect_1998

no the cd is fine i just want to put a non dell xp on the machine, it is a desktop
i dont think i have access to a usb floppy

Gavin Cotter

Disable sata in the bios.

Prefect_1998

will that not disable the hard drives

and how do you disable sata in the bios...:o

Croc

I would assume its the same problem as i have with my 710

Its the raid & Sata Drives are causing the problem. You will have to attach a floppy disk drive to your computer and load the drivers on to a floppy disk you will see why when i explain the procedure.

At the initial start up of windows before it starts installing you will see a message if you want to load additional drivers press F6 or a similar message. When you do that it will attempt to read the drivers from the floppy disk and only the floppy disk. You will see both the Raid & Sata Drivers load one then the other and everything should be fine and you can continue with installing windows.

This does not happen with Vista or Windows 7 as these drivers are incorporated on the install DVD and can be loaded automatically they are not on XP Disk

you can get the drivers here
http://support.euro.dell.com/support/downloads/driverslist.aspx?c=ie&l=en&s=gen&ServiceTag=&SystemID=XPS_720&os=WLH&osl=en&catid=&impid=

I think they are the first one on the list marked nVidia Media Shield its one download but should install both sets of drivers on the floppy when you run it

Gavin Cotter

I assume your the same fella.
Go to - integrated peripherals.

Prefect_1998

can you put drivers on a usb? as there is no way in hell i will be able to get a floppy drive or a floppy disk..

thanks for help guys

Croc

danielle_door wrote: »

can you put drivers on a usb? as there is no way in hell i will be able to get a floppy drive or a floppy disk..

thanks for help guys

No absolutely not have tried and it don't work as i stated in my post it will only attempt to read them from a floppy. Its an XP thing

itsallaboutheL

OP How long have you had the system? I dropped some chewing gum out a my mouth into one of these about a year ago and couldn't get it out without rebuilding the system, so i reckon its another case of chewing gum destroying a perfectly crappy motherboard!

Prefect_1998

ah no... suppose i will have to put vista onto it

Croc

Why can't you get a hold of a floppy drive, i assume this is a desktop PC there is a ribbon connector on the Mother Board for floppys on 710 so there should be one on the 720 as well

Prefect_1998

system tthat old.. its just i want rid of the cp media center dell that came with it.. i think it is the sata drivers

Prefect_1998

will have a look later , have to get the winch out as the 720 is a heavy beast

Croc

itsallaboutheL wrote: »

OP How long have you had the system? I dropped some chewing gum out a my mouth into one of these about a year ago and couldn't get it out without rebuilding the system, so i reckon its another case of chewing gum destroying a perfectly crappy motherboard!

Don't talk to me about MB's for them mine just went on 710 after 18 mths its a bloody BTX format and they are $400 a piece from Dell if you can even get one the the board on 700 710 & 720 are all different you need to get converter kits as well to install a board from one type into another. Have a BTX (cheap) on the way from the states, hoping it will work or else the machine is for the bin.

Moral of the story don't buy Dell

Croc

Its not that bad the right hand side comes off giving you access to the MB on the back of the PC as you look from the front on the right hand side there should be a black plastic handle give it a good yank and the top of the side panel should come away just lift it off the bottom of the PC

ronkmonster

you could try build a windows cd with sata drivers built in but some motherboards still give issues.

Pablod

I repaired a laptop with the exact same issue yesterday, try to boot it up off an XP disc and the Blue Screen appears, the Hard Disk was corrupt.

So, I took out the Hard Disk and connected it through an external Sata enclosure, Wiped any partitions and completely formatted it through my other laptop. (luckily there was no data on it, so no back up required)

Put it back in the laptop and booted up no problem of the XP disc

(Wouldn't mess too much with the Bios, then again you could always download the latest update for the bios once you have the OS re-installed)