I really didn't want to play "newbie with a question" but this thing is driving me nuts. I tried searching for the answer here, but "XP" was too short to use and so I went through all the pages of the "Operating System" folder to see if there was an answer to my question first but I was unsuccessful.
Basically, I have a Dell desktop and a Dell laptop that originally came with Windows XP (Pro on the desktop and Home on the laptop). I am trying to reformat and reinstall Windows XP on both computers. I have done this numerous times with other operating systems with no problem but for some reason when I try to overwrite XP with XP I run into this same problem every time.
(I'm going by memory so these may not be exact)
I boot from the XP CD that came with each machine
Hit enter to install a new copy of XP
Delete the existing partition
Install XP
Everything always looks like it's working as usual, but upon restart, I get a screen that asks me what operating system I want to load (Lists XP twice as the operating system). The first choice is always the newly installed OS, but the second version fails to boot (problem with configuration preventing boot). I thought this was a fluke the first time with the desktop, but the second time with the laptop means that something to do with the combination of trying to overwrite XP with XP and them being Dells means it's not just a fluke. Does anyone know how to solve this problem? Changing the operating system is not an option since this is a work computer and we have a contract with Dell. I'm trying to avoid talking to Dell's tech support because they drive me batty.
I appreciate any suggestions regarding this. Thank you.
Basically, I have a Dell desktop and a Dell laptop that originally came with Windows XP (Pro on the desktop and Home on the laptop). I am trying to reformat and reinstall Windows XP on both computers. I have done this numerous times with other operating systems with no problem but for some reason when I try to overwrite XP with XP I run into this same problem every time.
(I'm going by memory so these may not be exact)
I boot from the XP CD that came with each machine
Hit enter to install a new copy of XP
Delete the existing partition
Install XP
Everything always looks like it's working as usual, but upon restart, I get a screen that asks me what operating system I want to load (Lists XP twice as the operating system). The first choice is always the newly installed OS, but the second version fails to boot (problem with configuration preventing boot). I thought this was a fluke the first time with the desktop, but the second time with the laptop means that something to do with the combination of trying to overwrite XP with XP and them being Dells means it's not just a fluke. Does anyone know how to solve this problem? Changing the operating system is not an option since this is a work computer and we have a contract with Dell. I'm trying to avoid talking to Dell's tech support because they drive me batty.
I appreciate any suggestions regarding this. Thank you.