Message #1197

[neutron2k]

Ok first thigns first -

you can't install 98 or other operating systems because the hard drive will most probably be formatted as ntfs, and not fat32.  NTFS is supported by Windows NT/XP only.,  Other Operating systems can't read it (at least not with out plugs).

Ok boot problem...

Check your bios settings and ensure the boot order is correct (Should be floppy, CD, HDD0). You should also enabled boot from other devices.

If this is set correctly and your WinXP still doesn't boot, try holding down either F8 or F11 just before the POST check starts (Power On Self Test).  Hopefully you will see a boot option managed display asking you to select a boot device. Select your CD drive and hopefully that should work.

If it STILL won't boot from the XP cd, check that it is actually an MS XP cd and not a Dell REcovery CD.  If its a dell recovery CD, chances are all the restore files are on a partition on the hard drive and are damaged.

So far its sounding like the boot order is messed.