Problems installing windows!

[tjera]

Hi there,
I have been trying to make a clean install of windows xp media center on my Dell E520.But when it starts to boot from the windows xp cd,i am getting this: http://i14.tinypic.com/4yrxwqq.jpg
Now i have tried two more versions of windows: xp professional sp2 and windows xp professional.But i am getting the same error?! Only when i enter the windows xp media center cd which came with my Dell, i DON'T get that error.
I have scanned it for viruses,i have done e detailed CHKDSk(which tool like 30 minutes),and when i booted with that Dell resource cd ,beacuse i wanted to do a hardware check,i was getting this:
http://i11.tinypic.com/4uwor4o.jpg
Seriously ,what is going on?! I'm totally lost and confused!:confused:
This PC is only like 4-5 months old,i was not expecting such errors!
Anyway i hope there is someone there who can help.

Regards, Tjera

[Paul Komski]

Try testing the hard drive and also zeroing it with its maker's diagnostic utility and try the install again. If the errors still occur then perhaps the CDROM is suspect in which case you might try installing from the Hard Drive (http://www.iol.ie/~krakowangus/winnt.htm).

Memory would be the other thing to check and bad RAM can cause all sorts of funny effects.

Was anything in particular happening that caused you to run a clean re-install?

Is the Dell installation CD a Windows CD or an Image/(Factory) Restore CD.

[tjera]

Thanks for your reply.
"Try testing the hard drive and also zeroing it with its maker's diagnostic utility and try the install again",i really don't understand what you mean by this,im very new to this so a more simple/step-by-step guide would be great.
The reason why i wanted to install the new windows was because it was on danish ,and i want it to install the english one.
The dell installation cd is a Windows CD,thats how its written.

[Buddha]

hey tjera:

Here what solves the problem.

Go to Dells support website support.dell.com, Go to Driver download sectionput in the service Tag number. Then download Serial ATA (SATA Driver). Extract the driver on the computer then copy it in 31/2inch floppy.

Go ahead with the Normal Windows XP installtion, as soon as XP installation process begins, on the bottom of the page it will say press F6 to install third party driver. Press F6. After some time on the installation process it will ask you to specify the driver, you press S then then it will ask you to put floppy with the driver. Load the floppy where you copied the drivers earlier. and hit enter, select First driver on the list you will see. Then. Your installation will go smooth after that.

You had to do all this because, on win xp install CD it didn't have drivers for the SATA drives on your Dell.

Let me know how it went.

Questions are always welcome!!

Good Luck.