Dell PC

**Robbo** · Sep 11th, 2002, 03:47 AM

sorry not really a VB Question but is affecting my programming

ok, ive got a Dell Optiplex Gx260 Pentium 4

does any one know why i cant install windows 95 or windows 98 on it, ive got Windows 2000 on and it works fine, any one know the background as to why both operating systems dont work and if any other OS are not supported?

**Edneeis** · Sep 11th, 2002, 03:51 AM

I'm not sure why anyone who is running win2k would want to install win9x but...

What do you mean by 'can't install'? Do you get an error? What is it?

Do you mean for dual-boot? Or to replace the Win2k OS?

**Robbo** · Sep 11th, 2002, 03:55 AM

well say for example i removed the drive(windows 2000) and installed a new HD and wanted windows 95 or 98, using the CDs the setup runs and installs but when it says starting for the first time it errors and says to restart and repeats

windows 95 will not even run in safe mode, however 98 will, just in safe mode, i think its some thing to do with the Network setup, which the OS dont like however, with me using mutliple OS need to be able to support and check OS like windows 95 make sure they are bootable etc

think its a Dell thing?, any one know anything about this?

Windows 95 Error

While Initializing Device IOS:
Windows Protection Error. You Need to Restart Your Computer.

Windows 98 Error
While Initializing Device NDIS:
Windows Protection Error. You Need to Restart Your Computer.

however did start in safe mode but not normal

**Edneeis** · Sep 11th, 2002, 03:58 AM

So you are saying it errors even though its the on a different drive and is the only one connected?

If you think its your network settings then just don't set them up during install if it lets you. Although that shouldn't prevent it from starting you just wouldn't connect to the network.

**Robbo** · Sep 11th, 2002, 04:11 AM

yep new drive and only one connected

suppose can get win98 in safe mode but havent got a clue how to get win95 running at all.

tryed on a 40GB, 20GB 10GB and a 2GB from Maxtor, IBM, Fujisu, seagate all the same, so must be something to do with the Dell machine??

Any help or ideas welcome

**Edneeis** · Sep 11th, 2002, 10:16 AM

Whats the exact message it gives you when it keeps restarting?

I think I've seen this before and there was a MS KB article on it, but I couldn't find it without the message. Or here if you want search here:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto

**Robbo** · Sep 11th, 2002, 10:22 AM

From Boot it gives this every time

Windows 95 Error
While Initializing Device IOS:
Windows Protection Error. You Need to Restart Your Computer.

Windows 98 Error
While Initializing Device NDIS:
Windows Protection Error. You Need to Restart Your Computer.

However i have seen the articles but it doesnt help me much, one is about the hard drive and its not that as i tested and the other doesnt really show how to get back working when i wont even start in safe mode and another says take reference out of autoexec.bat and config.sys but they are not in them files anyway.

so any help on the matter would be great

**Edneeis** · Sep 11th, 2002, 01:28 PM

You may have tried some of these:

http://www.synapseadaptive.com/dolphin/support/ios.htm

http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;Q157924

http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;Q143053

http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;Q263466

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000359.htm

http://support.gateway.com/support/f.../w080608.shtml

If you can't boot in safe mode you can boot to a command prompt or from the cd and then use dos to access and change the files it mentions. Or possibly the one with the mouse driver, maybe try a different mouse.

The general sense seems to be the with Smartdrv.exe being in the Config.sys and Autoexec.bat, you said that Smartdrv.exe isn't listed in either?

The gateway one was a file that is suppose to fix it automatically for you, you can try that.

If all else fails you should call Dell and have them work it out with you.

**chaddz3** · Sep 13th, 2002, 06:05 AM

I have run in to this kind of problem on some of the PC's i have built, the IO error most likely has to do with a driver compatibility issue for the IDE controller used in the dell, (ie win95 doesnt like it). not sure why 98 shouldnt install, most motherboards and components built even today install 98 usually with minimal or no problems. One problem with dell, gateway and other systems however is that they are proprietary and may include driver files on there system restore CD's that arent found on the retail versions of windows and that may be the cause of the problem...
if the pc came originally with windows2000, it probably only includes drivers for windows2000 for motherboard components like the IDE controller, etc.

hope this helps.

**Robbo** · Sep 13th, 2002, 06:08 AM

like liek you said dell definately have a windows 2000 which only works on there machines, however the drivers for this operating system wont work for Win95.

cheers think im at a loss with this one

**JPicasso** · Sep 13th, 2002, 02:42 PM

I think it does have something to do with the controllers.

I got a new optiplex 240 recently and it seems to like to crash.

when I opened mine up, I notice that not only is there no room for any secondary drive or cdrom of any sort, but the controllers won't even let you hook another drive up say for test purposes.

It's not a "standard" config by any means.

**chaddz3** · Sep 14th, 2002, 02:59 PM

and this is why i love my homebuilt clones... they are sooooooo much easier to "play" with.

**Guv** · Sep 15th, 2002, 10:19 AM

You might have run into one of the many reasons why I never buy a name brand system.

Those systems are designed to be make manufacture and setup highly efficient.

I am not sure about Dell, but some of the name brand systems have an incomplete BIOS on the motherboard, with some important BIOS code on the hard disk. This creates a problem when you try to change the OS or run a multi-OS system. Some dual boot methods work because both OS's are in the same partition.

I have seen problems with changing video cards on some name brand systems due to propritary BIOS code, and one manufacturer (Compaq, I think) once had a system whose hard disks were not interchangable with those from another system.

I think you need to get to one of the better Dell Tech support people and ask some questions. Remember that the best people do not answer the phones at tech support.

**Robbo** · Sep 16th, 2002, 02:54 AM

yeah well the bios does see different hard drives and stuff, so that part is ok, after looking at the errors more think its more to do witht the inbuilt network card, something which it doesnt like and wouldnt surprise me if it was meant by Dell as they produce PCs for Microsofts Software, so people upgrade from older systems 95/98 to the lastest 2000, xp editions

**Pc_Madness** · Sep 17th, 2002, 01:22 AM

Well, remove the network card, after trying the links provided above.

**chaddz3** · Sep 17th, 2002, 06:25 AM

if all else fails, buy yourself a bare bones AMD or Clone system and transfer your dell's guts (hard disk, Cd/dvd/Cdrw drives, RAM, etc over to the barebone, you can pick up a really good bare bones system (case, motherboard, CPU, fan/heatsink and power supply) anywhere from 120 to 350 Bucks (US Dollars). This will eliminate any BS that you may run in to from the Proprietary Dell motherboard and BIOS Setup. (trust me clones are much easier to work with and support than name brand OEM systems are).
good places to find barebones systems cheap is www.pricewatch.com, they basicallly list the prices of PC parts in real time based on who is cheapest up to the most expensive...

might be an option to look in to...

Chaddz

**Robbo** · Sep 18th, 2002, 02:40 AM

ok chaddz3

i know what ur saying but this PC is brand new and is a company PC, Dell is there suppler they use all the time and had no problems before i got this PC.

Pc_Madness - How can i remove a intergrated network card??, prehaps i could in the bios but still require to access the network?

**DiGiTaIErRoR** · Sep 25th, 2002, 07:41 AM

Dude, you got a Dell!

That's your problem. The system probably was made for XP. Right?

They use cheap components that aren't compatible.

What do you expect? Really?

**Robbo** · Sep 25th, 2002, 07:45 AM

what can i do?

**DiGiTaIErRoR** · Sep 25th, 2002, 08:03 AM

You could use XP.

Or, like someone said, make your own system using the components from your Dell.

Most likely your BIOs sucks.

**Pc_Madness** · Sep 25th, 2002, 10:48 PM

Well, I think you'll find Win 2000 is far better than 98 and 95.

**Guv** · Sep 25th, 2002, 10:59 PM

I think it has already been suggested. Contact Dell Tech support and get them to help you.

Next time, go to your clone maker, instead of buying a name brand.

**DiGiTaIErRoR** · Sep 26th, 2002, 06:28 AM

I like win2k.

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