Hello,
I'm currently trying to do a clean install of windows on a older dimension desktop. I have all the original install CD/DVD's provided by Dell. I've been unable to get the computer to boot or show anything from the original factory installation disc of windows XP. Given the instructions for such action on Dells support site list simply booting from the CD drive with the original installation disc (?); I feel a bit bewildered thinking the windows disc isn't bootable? I found two posts relating to an issue possibly due to the windows instillation disc being a DVD versus a CD?
The computers CD/DVD drive is working. It will boot from the diagnostic CD's as well as other discs, just not the original windows instillation disc.
I'm wondering if anyone has advice or steps i could follow to successfully boot from the disc needed or another action i may try to just the computer in working order again.
Ironically enough, after attempting to use the PC restore feature by dell (it wouldn't work, master boot complaint), the computer has entered a DRMK corruption/image/mirror problem where the computer is now stuck booting the factory backup image/partition versus the main partition... I've already found a fair amount of posts on how to go about fixing that problem but I'm hoping to just get to the original goal.
Thank you for your time!