My Dell computer is getting increasingly slow making it nearly impossible to create movies in EMC 9 which I would reinstall after a full reformat of my hard drive.

I have the original Windows XP Pro disc that came with my computer and all of the drivers on another disc. I have tried to start the reformat process by inserting the original disc in my DVD drive and then shutting down the computer and then restarting it expecting the computer to boot up to the OEM disc and allow for the reformat. Instead of that the computer simply boots up as if no disc was in the hard drive. I have also tried to go through the same shutdown/startup procedure and holding down the F12 key. Again, the computer simply boots up to the OS without recognizing the disc. I have also tried using a different CD drive for the boot up to no avail.

How can I force the machine to boot up to the OEM disc so I can proceed with the format? My machine has had no changes in the OS other than SP 2 and SP 3 plus all of the Windows updates. I know that a 4 year old machine will be a big job to reinstall all of the updates but it is what I am stuck with.

I also tried to open the disc in Windows and got a box asking what I wanted to do. I clicked on Install XP. I got another box that said my OS was newer than what was originally installed. This would not have worked anyway as I understand that you cannot install the OS from within another OS and that it has to be accomplished from the boot up position.

Is the disc bootable? Is your bios set to boot from the CD/DVD Drive first or your hard drive, should be under Boot Options.

cd

Get into your BIOS, and set your Boot Up sequence to boot from the CD, first. Save your settings, then let your computer reboot. You should see a message to hit any key to boot from the CD. Hit any key, on the keyboard, and it should start the boot process.

CD beat me to the punch.

Could you take me to the next step. I don't know how to get to the BIOS.

Thanks

You are familiar with Google, aren't you?

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/glo...mp;docid=148562

cd

Thanks for the link. I should be able to figure it out from here.

Willard M

Wait !

Unless you are having major problems with your computer, other than just slowing down, try do a spring cleaning with these tools. First use Revo Uninstaller to get rid of all those old programs that you don't use anymore followed by a run or two of CCleaner.. Then defrag using Auslogics Defragmenter. These are all free.

You can also use the registry cleaner in CCleaner but be very careful on what you delete. Note that Revo will clean out the registry items as it deletes the software. Use the next to the most stringent cleaner settings.

If that doesn't get your computer faster, then you can do the format c:/

Thanks SKNIS for the tip. I will take a look at those. I wasn't anxious to take on a reformat. On a computer like mine that is pretty old it will take me forever to bring it back with all of the updates. On a scale of 1 to 10 on computer savvy I'm about a 5.

I would like to buy a new machine out of my nest egg but my banker said, "Tough, your computer money is goint to help pay the AIG bonuses."

Another option, should you decide to start over, is to just get a new Hard Drive (they're cheap these days, altho make sure the connection is a kind you have in the computer already), and use the present Hard Drive as a 2nd drive. That way, altho you have to re-load the software, your .docs, .jpgs, etc, are backed up. (Good idea to periodicly do a backup to DVD/R or CD-R of items in MyDocs and any downloads, anyway )

Lynn

Willard,

Based on your system specs in your signature, your system is near the bottom. processing and building videos could be problematic with so little memory (512mb). Most of the EMC 9 programs should run fine.

My recommendation would be to get AIG to give you enough money to buy a new system.

I wouldn't want to deprive those AIG fellows of the lifestyle they have grown accustomed to.

Thanks again for all your help. If you ever need assistance in setting the backlash and mounting distance on a Beloit spiral bevel drive gearbox I'm your guy.