[Mattitude]

Hey guys,

I'm wanting to do a clean install of Windows XP on a Dell Dimension 9150 but the computer cannot seem to boot up the reinstallation CD when turning the computer on.

I have accessed the Boot Device Menu by pressing the F12 key on startup. I then selected the 'Onboard or USB CD-ROM Drive' and pressed the enter key. The message 'Selected boot device not available - strike F1 to retry boot, F2 for setup utility' appears.

As retrying the boot does not work. I accessed the setup utility by pressing the F2 key. This took me to the BIOS setup. I accessed the 'Boot Sequence' option, which is located underneath the 'System' heading. A list of 5 devices appear:

1. Onboard SATA Hard Drive
2. Onboard or USB Floppy Drive (not present)
3. Onboard or USB CD-ROM Drive
4. Onboard IDE Hard Drive (not present)
5. USB Device (not present)

I moved number 3 - Onboard or USB CD-ROM Drive to the top of the list, making it number 1. I saved the changes and exit. The CD still does not boot up, Windows XP loads as normal.

Do any of you guys have any idea how I can get it to boot up? I really need to reinstall Windows XP again!

Thanks guys,
Matt.

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Typically on Dell machines on the original hardware you can invoke the built-in recovery option which doesn't need a CD.
Start it by pressing CTRL+F11 pretty much immediately after the Dell logo appears, where you see a message "Loading PBR for Descriptor" message.

[Neil Jones]

Typically on Dell machines on the original hardware you can invoke the built-in recovery option which doesn't need a CD.
Start it by pressing CTRL+F11 pretty much immediately after the Dell logo appears, where you see a message "Loading PBR for Descriptor" message.

[123Runner]

Sometimes you have to look for the message "hit any key to boot from CD" or something similar.

Also keep in mind that a factory restore/ full re-install will wipe out all programs and data. Be sure you save your data if you haven'y.