Dell Dimension 2400 Unable to Re Install Windows Xp

**tolet** · #1 7th May 2009, 03:57

Hi I am trying to re install windows xo on my dell dimension tower. I have gone in Bios and set it to boot up with CD, but once I have saved this it starts the process of Booting up from CD but then this happens

* Diskette drive 0 seek failure *
*Secondary drive 0 not found *
Strike the F1 key to continue. F2 to run the set up utility *

I have gone into Bios and looks like everything is ok. The system has never been opened. I have tried diffrent Cd's as well. Any suggestions Guys. Thanks

Tony

**Hybr!d** · #2 7th May 2009, 04:16

Are your hard drives showing in the BIOS?

**tolet** · #3 7th May 2009, 06:37

Ok when i go to the bios firstly on the option

"Drive configuration < ENTER > is states: When you press enter
************************************************** ******
Diskette Drive 3.5 inch, 1.44mb
Primary Master Drive................... Hard Drive
Primary Slave Drive ...................... unknown Device
Secondary Master Drive .................Unknown Device
Secondary Slave Drive .................... OFF

IDE Drive UDMA ........................... On
************************************************** ************
The other option is

Hard Disk Drive Sequence.............................< ENTER> When you press enter

************************************************** ****************
1. System BIOS Boot Device
2. USB Device ( not installed )

+, - to move down/up

************************************************** *************************

The other option for Boot sequence . I have set this on CD first. But I have just noticed that the cd rom device is not installed i.e like this

1. CD -ROM device ( not installed )

I think this might be the problem. I don't know how to installed this or wether this is the problem.

Tony

**Hybr!d** · #4 7th May 2009, 07:29

Sounds like it isn't booting off the CD at all and going straight to HD.

It should be listed here, after the HD.

Primary Slave Drive ...................... unknown Device <<< or
Secondary Master Drive .................Unknown Device <<< or
Secondary Slave Drive .................... OFF <<<

Press enter on any of those and see iof it detects, if it doesnt it is either physically connected wrong or faulty.

**tolet** · #5 7th May 2009, 07:40

Yes i tried that with the xo cd in now it just says " Diskette drive 0 failure" then after 30 sec it states "primarary drive 1 not found"

Any other tricks I could posibilly try mate

**Bubba** · #6 7th May 2009, 09:20

How old is this machine? I googled the 2400, but didn't see a time frame of when it was offered.

I had similar problems with my daughters computer (Dell). Do you know what type of DVD/CD player is in it? The one they were mass producing in somewhere around 2000-2004 had a Phillips I believe, it had a major flaw and needed a firmware update. Once I tracked the firmware update down, the computer could see the disc drive and everything went smoothly.

**tolet** · #7 8th May 2009, 04:57

Well i bought in second hand mate so I havent got a clue

**4D(Fordy(Ford) Ollie** · #8 8th May 2009, 12:34

Must be about that old or older Bubba, it comes with 15" monitor (in most cases) and is being sold with the monitor for avg. £75..

Used of course..

**Bubba** · #9 9th May 2009, 14:32

Crap, I don't remember how I figured out what model the optical drive was and I KNOW for fact that last week I deleted the firm ware update from this computer or I would post it for you. Let me try a couple of quick googles..........

EDIT: I'm not finding anything definitive. I do however remember how I figured out what my optical drive was. I pulled the puppy out and and googled the numbers I found on it. To be honest though? You can get a new (MUCH better) optical drive, I keep writing optical drive because I don't know if yours is a Cd or a DVD drive, for around $18-$24 (US), what's that 9-12 pounds for you? I would get one, install it, and if that doesn't fix the problem, take it back to the store.