computer won't boot to windows or anything else

ok, so I was updating a friends dimension 4500 running xp home.
the sucker went gonzo when I reinstalled avg. It rebooted and done a check thing, talkin bout missin dll's and corrupt files.
Thats fine and dandy, I just reformat with xp, and bring it back new.
wrong, it was new til I installed the printer. It rebooted itself and done the same check thing. However, this time windows wont load at all, not even in safe mode. It gives me a choice of loggin into windows normally, in safe mode or safe mode with networking, even safe with a command prompt. However any I choose ends up restarting and givin me the same ol screen.
If I load with the windows cd, and try to reformat, it gives me the blue screen of death. "ugh "

I'm thinkin of buying a new hd tomorrow, but for sanities sake, I'd like to fix this sucker. I hate **** like this getting the best of me. "any suggestions? "
thanks!

 

Go ahead and get that new HD.

 

would you consider it a gonner?

 

I think so but to be absolutely sure you should get the diagnostic software from the manufacturer's site to check it out.

I generally consider any HD that won't allow a format as junk.

 

I'll try that. Kinda felt that way too, but thought I'd ask first.
thanks again!

 

update, I took your advice today, and went and bought a new hd. It loaded perfectly after putting xp on it. I restored most of the stuff, then I tried loading the printer drivers. The thing restarted during before I got everything installed, and started the messed up checking for corrupted files and missing dll's. But this time windows loaded fine after the check. It came up and said that it recovered from a serious error though.
What the heck is goin on? I'm not sure I wanna install anything else.
any ideas?

 

Hi,

Me, I would install Windows again. Do all the Windows updates (is it pre-SP2?). Go to the Dell website and find the updates for the chipset drivers, install those, then any other major drivers like the graphics, etc. After those are installed, install the printer (is there an update for that?).

Is the printer install CD clean and scratch-free?

It may be a physical fault in the hardware. At least I would do extensive tests before reinstalling the printer again (do all the day to day things, all at once ).

Matt
Edit: "a physical fault ", has the case ever been cleaned out? (Check for dust buildup in the fins of the CPU heatsink.)