Which browser are you using IE if so which edition.

 

Ie-8

 

It sounds like your IE8 install was not completed correctly. You can try uninstalling it and running the update again. Here is how to uninstall IE8:
How do I uninstall or remove Internet Explorer 8?

 

OK, I re-formated and reinstalled yet again and tthis time I opted to NOT include IE8 in the update sequence and went with IE7 instead. I do remember a problem both prior times with a hang-up with a splash screen and a "please wait" message that was still there after 4 hours and I had to hold in the off button both times to continue.
So far so good.
I am going to install programs and hardware one item at a time to see if there is anything else causing my chronic boot problems.
Thanks MacBoatMaster for the tip. I will post later the results of final set-up. BrianAlex

 

No Joy. Even the Dell splash screen was all messed up and frozen. Also there are wierd symbols across the Dell screen, female sign,diamonds,musical notes, etc. I guess I will just use my Compaq back from here on out.

 

You can try uninstalling it and running the update again. Here is how to uninstall IE8:

It is a matter of some indifference NOW, but I did actually say to uninstall IE8 and run the IE8 update again. Not to reformat and start the whole procedure again. However, either your hard drive is failing or the CD/Dvd drive is faulty, or your installation CD is damaged or you have another hardware fault.

Your first course of action is to test your hard drive. Use this, it will as shown run on any hard drive.
http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.j...p?locale=en-US&name=SeaTools&vgnextoid=720bd20cacdec010VgnVCM100000dd04090aRCRD
use the tools for dos.

 

Thanks. I should have included the info that when I checked, "about I.E." showed version 6 and I had attempted to install 8. I didn't see any IE listed on Add+Remove and the whole system was non-op. I had no choice. I couldn't get on-line and windows kept shutting down.
I ran the Dell diagnostics from the Resources CD (earlier when it was working a little better) and it checked out OK (Hard Drive and Memory iirc).
So I re-installed OS and installed IE-7 and when I restarted I could barely read the Dell screen,which was frozen,just like many previous attempts.
Out of curiosity,What would cause a line of gibberish symbols to appear on the Dell splash screen? And would there be any significance to these symbols that could be deciphered?
Thanks for your help. I may attempt further diagnostics later when my "confront" builds back up. Brian

 

I would think it is a driver problem.
I would go to the Dell site and obtain the drivers for your computer.
The chipset driver and the network, sound and audio driver.
If you have the Dell drivers and resources CD the originals will be on there.
However there may wll be updated ones onb the Dell site

Here is the link to the manual for the computer if you go downloads and then drivers on that link you will see the ones offered for your computer.
It will of course only offer those that were the originals, if anything has been added, by way of a graphics card etc. you will have to do some more searching
http://support.euro.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim4500/syssetup.htm#1097056

 

I always go to the dell site and get the latest drivers usually starting with chip set (this last time I installed video firsy so I could see better). When you try to download these drivers you get a notice that you need framework first and it provides a link.When you then try to get .net framework it fails because you apparently have to go back and get an earlier version etc. Then after all this updating you can get the drivers.
Anyway I did all this. But this was the first time that the Dell screen looked so raggety. It was barely readable and never got to the F2,F12 option.
This is my first computer and it can be a steep learning curve at times.

 

I am not certain where we are now.
Can you now get on the internet with whatever version of IE is now on here, if necessary through Safe Mode with networking that is a boot option on F8 after Dell screen.

 

Hi. Actually I am on a back-up machine now which I added memory from the sick Dell in question. It was so hard to get it past the Dell spash screen that was frozen. It took maybe 8 attempts to finally get it to go through as though something was heating up or something.
Even booting from OEM XP disk the process would sometimes seize up and I would have to power off and start over.
So right now it is taking a little vacation and this Compaq (same vintage circa 2002) is doing great.
The Dell went through a bunch of power outages and also was severely damaged by a "recovery disc" made on a pirated Nero "Back-it-up" disk that I made 4 years ago when I first got (my first) computer. I know better now-- about illegal and legal stuff. Apparently it was a "Jack-it-up" disc. possibly engineered by the Nero staff(?)
Anyway,it seems to me from what I have learned so far, I am guessing that the MB is bad or , if there is a way that that Nero disk could have effected the BIOS (?), (I'm on thin ice here) maybe there is a way to repair it. I did re-set the BIOS to default (alt+F on a Dell during BIOS setting page).
It's a very interesting project,but right now it's going on hold.
Thanks very much-Brian

 

Thank you MacBoatMaster for your help. I decided to try to start the Dell and document what happens.

Attempt#1 "Alert! Previous attempts at booting this system failed at checkpoint (Ithr)" (Actually I never got that message before)
-held off button to shut off.-

Attempt #2 Possibly the same type of allert but it only lasted 1/4 second then Black Screen.

Attempt #3 (beep) "Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: Windows\System32\Config\Sysytem" Went on to recommend using the set-up CD and pressing "r" to repair. (since I have no Idea how to use this repair function and the commands used,I just powered off and tried again.

Attempt #4 (beep) Dell screen, then "A problem has been detected.Windows has to shut down IRQL-NOT-LESS-OR-EQUAL STOP: 0x0000000A ()x000000055,000000002,0x0000000,0x804DBCDC)

Attempt #5 (beep) "We apologize;Windows did not start sucessfully" Choice; Nornal,Last good etc. I chose Normal. Went to Windows XP screen with animation,Welcome screen then
"A problem has been detected 0x000008E (0x00000005,0xF917EF53,0xF083B8C4,0x00000000) Dump memory

Attempt #6 (beep) Booted up,desk top OK. Clicked on Outlook Express "A problem..... 0x00000024 (0x001902FE,0x0F96F96B4,0xF96F93B0,0x804E873F

Attempt #7 (beep) Booted up correctly and I am currently using the Dell to post this.

What would cause this? Thanks again-Brian

 

The Dell went through a bunch of power outages and also was severely damaged by a "recovery disc" made on a pirated Nero "Back-it-up" disk that I made 4 years ago when I first got (my first) computer. I know better now-- about illegal and legal stuff. Apparently it was a "Jack-it-up" disc. possibly engineered by the Nero staff(?)
Anyway,it seems to me from what I have learned so far, I am guessing that the MB is bad or , if there is a way that that Nero disk could have effected the BIOS (?), (I'm on thin ice here) maybe there is a way to repair it. I did re-set the BIOS to default (alt+F on a Dell during BIOS setting page).

In view of the above, any further attempts to put this Dell right, on this forum, are in my opinion, both pointless and although you say you now know better, not in keeping with the rules of this forum.
I have asked for the thread to be closed.

 

closing thread, you will need to get a legal copy of windows to repair this issue.