Windows Xp sp2 issues

[pookie123]

i have had my dell xps 400 for well over a year now, and its usually worked very well. recently i started having errors with my screen flashing and then just turning black, but i would still see my mouse. i figured it was an error, and since ive downloaded a lot of programs figured i could do well with a reinstall of windows xp. after a few minutes tho, windows xp flashes an error at me telling me to insert the Winxpsp2 disk. i look around on my laptop and end up downloading service pack 2. when i put it in my computer it still wont complete the winxp setup. ive even checked my ram, and it looks okay. could i possibly be missing a step?

[Shinma]

... dell xps 400 ... a reinstall of windows xp...

? I thought those systems came with recovery disc set and not a standard WindowsXP disc.

[pookie123]

no, i didnt receive a recovery disc, just the windows xp, and some driver reinstalation disks, great idea though. ill give dell a call and try to get those recovery disks

[lgbpop]

Dells come with their own proprietary version of XP (or 2000 if applicable); they don't use recovery disks (images) as such. They're available from Dell, and they're also common on eBay.

[pookie123]

alright guys, ive ordered a recovery disk from dell, and it should arrive within the week. Hopefully it works. i dont think i originally thought of using one is because i hadnt received a recovery disk, so i figured i didnt really need one. (yes, im a computer noob)

[Train]

Welcome to vdr [virtualdr].

You are not the first to ask that by a long shot.

[pookie123]

sigh. its been a few weeks, and still no disks from dell. Someone told me that i can download the SP2 disk on a cd form, or a thumb drive, so idid both of those, and for some reason my computer wont read the files. Is there a certain way to save them onto a drive? so when i put it in, the computer is able to read it?

[photolady]

When you burned the sp2, did you actually burn an .iso image or just burn it the regular way? You need to burn an image before it can be bootable. Another way to do this is slipstream XP and SP2 to the same disk. I use Autostreamer to accomplish this task.

And a guide to show you how can be found here.

[lgbpop]

It can take a few calls before the Dell weenies actually put in the work order for you. Try again - even if you get this situation straightened out without the recovery disk, it's still handy to have it for future contingencies.

[pookie123]

great. ill give that a try, thanks