Major computer issue... I really need help with this! part 1

Strivingangel91

Alrighty about a month ago we installed windows 7 onto our dell dimension 9100 we originally had windows xp on it. Well one major issue we noticed was it would freeze up for a few seconds- minutes and then start working again. Rather annoying. Well about two weeks ago the system crashed. When you try to boot it up it says Floppy diskette seek failure. No boot device available, all of this on a black screen. however on occasion it will send me through to start up windows then will go up to the windows repair. Which then say it can't fix windows automatically, you can't set restore point, you can't do anything. Whoever it DOES let me bring up the command prompt window. Dell says that this is happening due to windows 7 becoming corrupt. They say uninstall it and reinstall it but I'm not going to pay an arm and a leg to do so. So my question is what they said even correct? If not I would love to hear what is wrong with it. Or if it is correct how can I uninstall windows through a command prompt or any other way. It's driving me nuts!

electrotune1200

Can you remember any of your PC specs?

Before you installed 7, did you run the Windows 7 upgrade advisor? Did it tell you that your PC specs were sufficient to handle windows 7?

It sounds to me like your system resources are a little low to handle Windows 7.

Strivingangel91

�� Quote: Originally Posted by electrotune1200

Can you remember any of your PC specs?

Before you installed 7, did you run the Windows 7 upgrade advisor? Did it tell you that your PC specs were sufficient to handle windows 7?

It sounds to me like your system resources are a little low to handle Windows 7.

Don't recall boyfriend installed it on there. I do know that the windows disk was an upgrade. However I do have a windows xp disk here that I would like to put onto it. I just don't know HOW to go about putting it back on. I know i need to uninstall windows 7 to start off with. But like I said the only thing it will let me do is A) go into a command prompt or B) Let me get into the F12 screen.

The Howling Wolves

Did you boyfriend run the compatibility test to see if your system could handle 7?

The Howling Wolves

Command Prompt
Here how to get started

Strivingangel91

�� Quote: Originally Posted by The Howling Wolves

Did you boyfriend run the compatibility test to see if your system could handle 7?

He just got back he said that he did and it said that it was.

electrotune1200

Are you able to boot from your XP disc?

Does hitting F12 on your PC bring up a boot list order?

Strivingangel91

�� Quote: Originally Posted by The Howling Wolves

Command Prompt
Here how to get started

That would be great...If windows would start up. However it won't do so. The only reason I can even get into the command prompt is through the advance options of the system repair. Which I might add can't repair it.

Strivingangel91

�� Quote: Originally Posted by electrotune1200

Are you able to boot from your XP disc?

Does hitting F12 on your PC bring up a boot list order?

That it does. for the hitting F12. The disk no.

electrotune1200

If you wanted to go back to Windows XP...

All you would have to do is boot off of the disc. It will format your HDD, so uninstalling Windows is unnecesary.

If you wanted to try and re-install Windows 7, Here's a guide for you.
Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version[2]=General Tips

The Howling Wolves

Make sure all the connections are in there solid.
Take the case off, ground yourself and clean inside, fans included and make sure all boards are seated properly.
Then reboot again.

electrotune1200

So if you change the boot order so that your CD/DVD is set to boot first, and a Windows XP disc in the drive, you are not able to boot into your XP disc?

Strivingangel91

�� Quote: Originally Posted by electrotune1200

So if you change the boot order so that your CD/DVD is set to boot first, and a Windows XP disc in the drive, you are not able to boot into your XP disc?

This is correct. It still just pops up with the same routine as I mentioned before.

electrotune1200

Here's a guide for you to try next
Disk - Clean and Clean All with Diskpart Command

I don't know if there is corrupt install of 7 stopping you from booting into your XP disc. But I really don't see why.

If I were you, in the guide I would skip step 6 and just do step 7. This will clean your HDD, but it will take over an hour to complete.

When you are finished with the guide, try going into F12 again and setting your DVD drive to boot first, with your XP disc in.