Member Avatar for amites

Hello,

I've been trying to get around this one for a couple of weeks now and am reaching the limit of my patience,

I have a Dell Inspiron 1000
which came factory shipped with XP Home SP2,

I put a fresh HD in it and went to install XP, halfway through the blue screen copying files to the HD to install - SHUT DOWN -

I've tried this with 7 different copies of XP now from legit to bootleg home and pro, and bought an external DVD drive and ran into the same problem

all have the same error,

though when it occurs is sometimes different - sometimes at the first user screen asking if I want to install / repair
sometimes while formatting the hard drive it will shut down part of the way through,

the funky part is that I was able to install Windows 2000 without a hitch, only problem being the the drivers for this systems wireless only exist for XP...


any thoughts from the community at large?

getting to the point where I start playing target practice with a friends shotgun...


PULL

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by kd5eej

Dani AI

Generated

Short summary and focus: reports an Inspiron 1000 that powers off unpredictably during XP setup (different stages), while Windows 2000 installs fine. suggested reformatting and partition work; pointed at a BIOS update. Because the symptom is intermittent and appears before/while copying files, the next steps should aim to separate a hardware fault from an OS/BIOS issue with quick, verifiable tests.

Hardware-first checklist (fast to do)

  • Run a bootable memory tester (Memtest86 or similar) for several full passes; even a single bad address will cause intermittent shutdowns. This is more reliable than just reseating sticks.
  • Run pre-boot hardware diagnostics (Dell’s built‑in diagnostics from the boot menu or a UBCD/diagnostic ISO). Exercise the HDD SMART tests and CPU/stress tests.
  • Boot a Live Linux CD/USB (Ubuntu/Knoppix) and copy large files to/from the new HDD. If the machine still powers off under that load, it’s almost certainly hardware.

Power, removable parts and visual checks

  • Try on AC only (battery removed) and also on battery only if possible; use a known-good Dell adapter if available. Wiggle the DC jack while under load to check for a bad connection.
  • Remove nonessential removable parts (wireless card, PCMCIA/modem, extra RAM sticks) and test with the minimum configuration.
  • Inspect the motherboard for swollen/bulging electrolytic capacitors or burns around the power circuitry.

BIOS/installer notes and safe next moves

  • Note the BIOS version in Setup. Updating BIOS can fix ACPI/power issues but only do it if release notes address relevant bugs; follow vendor instructions exactly (stable AC power, charged battery). Don’t flash blindly.
  • If hardware tests pass, try an alternate install path: slipstream SP into the XP media or install XP from within an existing OS as an upgrade to rule out installer-media/driver timing issues.

What to report next: Memtest results (errors/passes), outcome of the diagnostics and LiveCD file-copy test, behavior with wireless removed, and the BIOS version. Those will pinpoint whether the fix is software/BIOS or a hardware repair/replacement.

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Member Avatar for DaveB

Hi

Are you doing a full format in NTFS when you install XP?

I would suggest, that when you try to install, you delete the current partition, and create a new one. Having pressed Enter to install a fresh copy of XP, select the C:\ drive, and press D to delete, and then L then Enter, (or Enter then L). Then press C, to create a new partition, Enter to confirm size, and Enter to install the Operating System. Select Format in NTFS (not quick format).

That is all I can think of, outside of some wierd hardware problem.

Regards, David

Member Avatar for amites

I have tried every installation configuration there is...

Deleted the Partition, etc...

keeps shutting down, sometimes at the first screen where i have the option of installing / repairing / exiting...

only thing I can come up with that I have tried is opening it up and removing the factory memory as I have seen several posts around the web that this can cause similar problems...

though still hoping someone else can come up with something I haven't

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