restore OS system

[Jeff p]

I currently have a Dell Dimension e510 that was equipped with Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005. recently the hard drive crashed and was so badly damaged that I was not able to even do a recovery of the operating system. I do not have a hard disk of the OS. I replaced the hard drive and then downloaded a copy of the Media Center program from CNET which is on a bootable USB. the problem is when I try to download the program a black screen comes up with a C prompt asking for a command. I have done a little research but every command that I try comes up as a bad file name. any ideas as to how I can get this program to download? I have contacted Dell and the hard disk is no longer available. I have heard that if I am able to download a copy of the image of a disc that would work on a bootable USB but I have had no luck trying to find an image of that particular desk.

 

[xeshaka]

What do you mean when you try to download it you get a C Prompt? When you are trying to install Windows?

 

[Jeff p]

What do you mean when you try to download it you get a C Prompt? When you are trying to install Windows?

 

[Jeff p]

th.is is what I see at the very bottom of the screen. C:/>_ the underscore is flashing like it wants a command code of some Kind to open the file. if I plug the USB port into a computer that is already running I can open the file and the Windows program is contained within. It Starts the instructions to start the program. I plug the bootable USB port into my computer and the C prompt display that I just mentioned above is displayed but it will not allow me to download the file from the bootable USB. I have contacted Dell and I contacted Microsoft both have told me that the new hard drive is compatible with the computer so it does not appear that the it's an incompatibility issue.

 

[xeshaka]

Might want to check out these steps: http://www.oxhow.com/install-windows-xp-from-usb-flash-pen-drive/

 

[Jeff p]

Unfortunately several usb boot programs failed. I then burned a copy of the program from the usb to a dvd. Still can't get it to boot. I then ran an old recovery disc to make sure the dvd player was working. Funny is that the recovery disk picked up the files but will do nothing with them. I took the usb and dvd to a neighbors home and both opened right up. Took the PC to a shop nearby.....mother board, cmos, new hard drive all running fine. Of course he wanted me to leave it and said he could get it going for $300. I must be overlooking something. I have set and reset boot settings, bios settings but no luck.

 

[Jeff p]

Found a very strange solution to my problem. Ultimately, I used my cell phone as a wi-fi hotspot, plugged it in to my computer via usb and started my computer. I then visited a microsoft update website on the phone that directed me to scan my computer. I scanned the device & it indicated no operating system found, please insert disk. I placed the disk into the CD drive and it loaded! It then prompted me to enter my key and loaded the OS. I was then prompted to download the updates. The only bad part is that it dowloaded every update, all service packs & security patches since day 1......however the system is completely operational again. Once I loaded and updated the OS, I then tried to load my office program. It failed. I disconnected the phone & I went back to the website, clicked, on some additional optional updates and inserted the disk. It worked.....I was prompted to enter my key and it reloaded the program, prompted me for the updates which i did. Problem solved....strangely but solved. I then visited a Dell website which updated a number of drivers & installed Advanced System Care 8. It scanned and updated 8 more drivers including the mouse, keyboard and copier drivers. System runs like a brand new unit!