Error Message while trying to clean Install XP on Dell Laptop

I am trying to install Windows XP on a Dell Inspiron 8100 Laptop. I change
the boot order to look for the cd first and then disable the HD boot
capability. I pop in the cd and restart the computer to boot up from the cd
and start the installation. Once the computer reboots, it shows me that the
system can't find any bootable files. I have performed this install on
multiple desktop and was wondering if laptops are different. What am I doing
wrong and what can I do to fix it. Any suggestions on how I can run a clean
install. Someone before me had dual boots on this computer and I know that a
clean install would be fix this, but if I can't do that how can I get rid of
dual boots.

Since you are installing XP you might get more help by posting to a
newsgroup supporting XP rather than Win Me. :-)

I take it from your post that the initial boot to the XP CD works as
intended and the problem occurs following the first reboot during the
installation. Are you perhaps multibooting? Are you using a boot
manager? If so it is possible that the system is trying to boot from a
partition other than that to which XP is being installed.
--
Mike Maltby MS-MVP



Luke Ulrych wrote:

I am trying to install Windows XP on a Dell Inspiron 8100 Laptop. I
change the boot order to look for the cd first and then disable the
HD boot capability. I pop in the cd and restart the computer to boot
up from the cd and start the installation. Once the computer reboots,
it shows me that the system can't find any bootable files. I have
performed this install on multiple desktop and was wondering if
laptops are different. What am I doing wrong and what can I do to fix
it. Any suggestions on how I can run a clean install. Someone before
me had dual boots on this computer and I know that a clean install
would be fix this, but if I can't do that how can I get rid of dual
boots.