Hello I just purchased a new hard drive for a dell inspiron 8100 and mistakenly loaded the winodws xp upgrade cd instead the plain old xp cd. Now I am getting an eroor which says ntdetect failed. Any idea how to fix? Thanks

All you've got to do is:

1) Insert the new hard drive.
2) Press the F8 key as the laptop boots. This will take you into the BIOS.
3) Locate the disk drive priority setting in the bios.
4) Set Priority 1 to your CD/DVD drive and priority 2 to the 320GB hard drive.
5) Save settings and exit the BIOS. This should reboot your laptop.
6) Insert the Windows XP CD.
7) It should not start the setup as it recognises the CD.
8) I will recommend that you format the drive before you install, go along with the format (make sure it does a full format).
9) After the format it will reboot your system.
10) You will be prompted with a message like "Press any key to boot form CD", DON'T press anything otherwise it will start all over again.
11) Now it should start the install. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Hi ethandown,

From my experience, you most likely have a corrupted hard drive which has affected your Windows Installation. Your only option may be to boot from a Windows XP cd.

-When your computer starts, press F2, sometimes delete to enter the system options and change the boot-up priority device to cd/dvd 9(1st).

- Restart the computer putting your windows xp setup cd inside. It will ask you to press a button to run from the cd.

- follow instructions and when on the blue screen, use the repair windows installation.

-if that doesnt work, you may have to reinstall windows however your old files will still be on the hard drive.


Hope this helps,


kc

old post oct 2017)
anne
the drive IS DEAD
buy a new driver or newer good used PC. is best.
do not run XP ever. as i bet you are doing. it's not SAFE NOW.

http://www.pcdied.com/XP-sux-sg.html

the PC is 12 long years old now.
most this old have lots of problems, for sure if XP run.
upgrade it , fix it or buy a newer PC, with W7 up.

never never ever run XP again, or it will be all bad news.
sure you can load XP and run solitare but stay off the internet
and do not expect new USB devices to work.
Btw IE8 will be dead now, most sites ban it. you do know that right?
nor does MS allow you to upgrade to IE11.
but firefox v60 runs.

If you are reinstalling Windows XP from a NON-DELL disc, and trying to use the Dell OEM product key, it will not work.
OEM versions of Windows have a modified precopy2.cab and a retail version of XP will not validate the OED product key from the chassis. This is because the OEM media for Dell has a precopy2.cab that pre-loads the product key when the system is BOOTED to the OEM media (It also pre-activates the OS)
Your choices at the point are:

1. Re-install the OS from a Dell OEM CD (They can be purchased on EBay for around $20, and only work on Dell Systems)
2. Purchase a valid Retail Key from Microsoft

Hello,

Unfortunately you will need the restore disk to correct this problem. Even if you copy the old disk to the new, chances are you will copy the corrupt files and have TWO bad copies of xp. You can order the restore disk from Dell on average about $30.

Good Luck
C2Solutions

You may need to try installing windows xp. I had a gateway that had a brand new hard drive and wouldn't take 98, but installed xp flawlessly. Look at the computer and see if it says designed for Windows XP

HEllo,
i think you did not choose proper boot sequence from the bios.
plz choose another which indicate that your cd rom.
another way is that you when boot the pc press f9 key many time then it will ask you for boot device.
thanks
bye
ramesh

uhh last i checked CD is cdrom

under the laptop xp home sticker.
have u backed up personal files ? pics docs music ?

turn pc on .repeatedly tap F12 then put xp cd in it. then choose cdrom. then it will boot to a blue screen. loading stuff on bottom 2 minutes.then 2 options repair console or install windows. choose second. then F8 i agree to licensing terms and then drive is listed.. at that point u can delete and create partition then it will ask to format i do quick. then rest is easy.

what brand pc. if its dell on the main beginign powerup screen press repeatedly f12 then choose ide cdrom. with xp cd in drive allready. make sure u have the xp key for that version usualy on side of pc if its brand.

What brand pc?