ntldr error message encountered while trying to refresh co..

[mbennett]

I have searched and reviewed many posts on this subject already, but none
seem to have fixed my problem - although to be truthful, none are trying to
accomplish exactly the same task I am working on. I am working on a 4 year
old Dell Inspiron E1505 with Windows XP Home Ed. My ultimate goal is to wipe
the hard drive of all files and totally freshen up the computer so I can hand
it down to my daughter. I don't want to save any files; I want to make it
like a brand new computer. I do have a Windows Reinstallation CD Sevice Pack
1a. I first started out with a 'Missing System32\hal.dll' file error
message. Tried to boot off of the CD as recommended, now I have a 'ntldr
missing' error message. Is there an easier way to accomplish what I am
trying to do rather than chase around error messages around one by one?
Failing that, suggestions on what to do next. Thanks much.

[mbennett]

Right now I have my computer set-up to boot from the CD I mentioned earlier.
It seems to load a number of files fine, then comes up with a message that
'Set-up is starting Windows', then I get a screen that says Windows Set-up
and has three options: Enter to Continue, R to Repair, and F3 to Quit. I have
tried different variations of all three but always end up at a deadend with
no obvious next step. Thoughts?

"Michael" wrote:

>
> "mbennett" <mbennett@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:564D1307-A97F-4D35-A986-1CB22B92BC64@microsoft.com...
> > I have searched and reviewed many posts on this subject already, but none
> > seem to have fixed my problem - although to be truthful, none are trying
> > to
> > accomplish exactly the same task I am working on. I am working on a 4
> > year
> > old Dell Inspiron E1505 with Windows XP Home Ed. My ultimate goal is to
> > wipe
> > the hard drive of all files and totally freshen up the computer so I can
> > hand
> > it down to my daughter. I don't want to save any files; I want to make it
> > like a brand new computer. I do have a Windows Reinstallation CD Sevice
> > Pack
> > 1a. I first started out with a 'Missing System32\hal.dll' file error
> > message. Tried to boot off of the CD as recommended, now I have a 'ntldr
> > missing' error message. Is there an easier way to accomplish what I am
> > trying to do rather than chase around error messages around one by one?
> > Failing that, suggestions on what to do next. Thanks much.
>
> Get into your BIOS and check boot order. The last time I experienced that
> error it was due to the BIOS trying to boot to my network card. Go
> figure.....
>
> --
>
> "Don't pick a fight with an old man.
> If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you."
>
>
> .
>

[mark adams]

"mbennett" wrote:

> Right now I have my computer set-up to boot from the CD I mentioned earlier.
> It seems to load a number of files fine, then comes up with a message that
> 'Set-up is starting Windows', then I get a screen that says Windows Set-up
> and has three options: Enter to Continue, R to Repair, and F3 to Quit. I have
> tried different variations of all three but always end up at a deadend with
> no obvious next step. Thoughts?


Follow these steps exactly:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html


>
> "Michael" wrote:
>
> >
> > "mbennett" <mbennett@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> > news:564D1307-A97F-4D35-A986-1CB22B92BC64@microsoft.com...
> > > I have searched and reviewed many posts on this subject already, but none
> > > seem to have fixed my problem - although to be truthful, none are trying
> > > to
> > > accomplish exactly the same task I am working on. I am working on a 4
> > > year
> > > old Dell Inspiron E1505 with Windows XP Home Ed. My ultimate goal is to
> > > wipe
> > > the hard drive of all files and totally freshen up the computer so I can
> > > hand
> > > it down to my daughter. I don't want to save any files; I want to make it
> > > like a brand new computer. I do have a Windows Reinstallation CD Sevice
> > > Pack
> > > 1a. I first started out with a 'Missing System32\hal.dll' file error
> > > message. Tried to boot off of the CD as recommended, now I have a 'ntldr
> > > missing' error message. Is there an easier way to accomplish what I am
> > > trying to do rather than chase around error messages around one by one?
> > > Failing that, suggestions on what to do next. Thanks much.
> >
> > Get into your BIOS and check boot order. The last time I experienced that
> > error it was due to the BIOS trying to boot to my network card. Go
> > figure.....
> >
> > --
> >
> > "Don't pick a fight with an old man.
> > If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you."
> >
> >
> > .
> >