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1namylnFlag for United States of America

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Need help loading OS on Dell Dimension L733r

I have a Dell Dimension L733r running Windows XP Professional.  I'm having to reload the OS on this PC.  I've ensured that the CDROM works properly and set the boot order to the CDROM first.  After doing these things I cannot get the computer to boot to the CDROM.  Any help is appreciated.
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Craig Bowman
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I was going more along the lines of that box being so old that it doesn't read CD-R discs...
this is why i was asking about the cd being genuine or burned
do u see this message  when you power on this machine

"Press any key to boot from cd......

if the cd is bootable you need to press any key on keyboard. to start setup but CD shold be bootable

if you dont see that message you need to try another CD
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ASKER

When I say I've verified the CDROM is working properly that means I've tried more than one drive.  The disk I'm using is a Dell XP disk.  It has a valid COA.
great, thats the first thing that popped in my head so I thought i'd ask.
ok did you see this message ""Press any key to boot from cd......"  ?
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No.  Hitting f12 doesn't bring the boot menu up either.
F12 is used for network boot for PXE based installation

if you dont see this message that means this cd doesnt have files to boot an installation process you must need to change this cd and use an alternate XP CD
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F12 brings boot menu in most Dell Bios.  Tried multiple Dell MFG CD's.  CD works good.
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☠ MASQ ☠

To get to the BIOS setup on the L Series you need to hit Del while the blue logo is on the screen.
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note : you can test cables and drive on another pc as well !
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I will try another cable.  Additionally, I will try a PCI IDE card.  I've had this problem with this type of PC but it was well over 3 years ago and I don't know how it was resolved.  I had to do something with a floppy but again I don't remember.  I think the PCI IDE card may fix the issue.  Will try and repost.  None the less thanks nobus as your post was a good memory jogger.
you can also just swap the cables to disk and cd (if both are on a separate cable)
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Loaded OS on another computer with no drivers then moved that drive to this computer.  I was able to then load the needed drivers.  Points are for efforts.