Tom's Guide | Tom's Hardware | Tom's Games
 |
 |
 |
I have a brand new dell dimension (E520) that came pre-installed with XP home edition. I am trying to install XP Pro and once it auto boots to cd and checks everything and give the blue screen of death. I have an older xp pro disc and a newer one that includes SP2 on it and they both crap out. I ran into this before with newer systems and the old XP disc where it was a driver issue, then got the newer xp disc that includes SP2 and all worked fine. Now i am unable to install xp with the the newer XP disc. Has anyone else ran into this problem. Thanks
I just wanted to keep all the users on the same version of XP. We are a small company...all use XP Pro. I just always thought that XP Pro version was better for businesses and what not...security reasons. Let me know otherwise...thanks
0 
That's OK but...
I have a brand new dell dimension (E520) that came pre-installed with XP home edition.
You could have specify to Dell salesperson that they preinstall XP Pro rather than XP Home on your new PC. This would have been the easiest way.
On the other hand the only way to install XP Pro over XP Home is to first use Killdisk (or similar utility) to completely wipe out the HD. Then you can boot to CDROM to start the XP Pro installation.
i_XpUser
0
That is incorrect, Ralph.. That computer came from Dell with Windows XP Home; he cannot simply install another (upgrade) version of Windows on it. That new E-520 came with Windows XP Home, and is licensed as such.... it is tied to the motherboard; most likely the reason for the blue screening when trying to install a upgraded version of Windows. It sounds like he is trying to install XP Pro from a left-over XP Pro Dell reinstall disk that might have come with his other, older Dells... NADA.. it cannot be done because it is considered an upgrade of the operating system.
Best he can do is just reinstall XP Home.Killdisk is another error... His Windows XP Home is tied to his motherboard and Killdisk would be futile. His best option would be to just reinstall Windows XP home. That way there will be absolutely no Dell bloatware.
Next time when you order from Dell, specify what version of Windows you want...Or, you can also purchase a full, retail version of Windows XP Pro and install it that way.
0
I'm with "clammer"... Dell and HP are clamping down on that practice. Either you buy it with the right software or go thru hell and back trying to upgrade it. This is the reason you have to start building your own if you ever want the remote possibility of changing OSes one day... or start using Ubuntu/Kubuntu/Suse ;)
0
I agree, stop buying name-brand computers, in particular Dell and HP, and start building your own or hiring a local IT-specialist to build you one. You will not only save money, you'll save many long hours of frustration and headache.
Also, to confirm, this issue is happening with one of my clients as well. They purchased brand-new Dell E520's pre-installed with Microsoft Windows XP Home, bought Windows Vista software from Best Buy, and ran head on into the same problem. The software cannot be installed. -fdisk'ing the master boot record, wiping the partitions, etc. does not resolve the problem. The issue appears to be a hardware lock of some sort.
As clammer immediately jumping to the conclusion the OP is trying to parlay a non-legitimate license onto the machine; (1) So what? He/she purchased HARDWARE from Dell that came pre-equipped with a software license. Dell should have nothing to do with restricting what can and cannot go onto the bundled HDs. Especially if they are going to advertise "Windows XP Home/Pro and Vista compatible" and include "easy upgrading instructions" (which do not work) within their product manuals and website detail. At very least, Dell is guilty of false advertising. (2) There are going to be millions of people going out and purchasing Vista licenses and at least a sizable handful of them are going to attempt to upgrade their Dell E520 and run into this problem. Nevermind your legitimate Windows XP Professional upgraders, Linux-fanboys, and other perfectly legitimate/legal users.
0
Quick follow-up: I just wrapped a 2+ hour support call to Dell regarding this exact issue and was not able to get it resolved. A higher level tech is supposed to be calling me sometime within the next 48hrs.
Dell was very evasive regarding the issue of a limitor, be it within the bios or elsewhere on the board, restricting operating system upgrades/replacements. We took a virgin E520 XP Home machine, updated the Intel chipset, updated the bios, went through a long cycle of diags and try-outs, but nothing resolved the issue. ANY operating system we attempt to replace the pre-configured one with gets knocked down at the point where it attempts to re-write the MBR. However, hosing the MBR doesn't even resolve the issue.
0
I also have a Dell 520 with Vista Premium installed.
I tried to install XP in dual boot, because I have some games that are not compatible with Vista video drivers. I've tried XP original and XP w/SP2 from MSDN, not upgrades.
I also get blue screen in the initial screen. I called for dell support they referred me to the pay support.
No solution yet.
0
Possible Solution found referring to Small Business Server.
http://www.pro-networks.org/forum/v...
Here is how to make SBS R2 work on a Dell E520:
1. Enter BIOS on startup by hitting F2.
1. Go to "Drives" and hit the plus sign.
2. Go to "Sata Operation".
3. Change the setting from "RAID ON" to "RAID Autodetect / ATA"
4. Save Settings
5. Install SBS and enjoy.You will be running in ATA emulation mode. I did not try to use F6 and link in the proper RAID driver. In any case you get a good fast Core 2 Duo server running DDR2 and 1066 Mhz bus for less than half what it would cost in the Dell server world. For small workgroups it is hard to beat.
Regards,
Chuck Poole
PalmTech Computer Solutions
0
You just need the SATA drivers on a floppy to use at the "Press F6 to load . . . " prompt early in the installation . . see this for more info . . http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/ho...
This is a great guide for reinstalling on a Dell: http://www.djdenham.com/Install%20P...Deleting the Restore partition is your call . . although you lost the abilit to use it after you formated the C drive . . it can be restored if you want it in the future with some work.
For the installation, be sure to disconnect that external drive and all external peripherals except the monitor, keyboard and mouse, and be sure those are not USB, or wireless.
Brian
0  |
 |
 |
This post is quite old and has been locked from receiving new replies. Please create a new posting instead.
| Ads by Google |
