I have a very old Dell XPS a2010 computer. The computer starts up and displays the Dell logo and from there it goes to a Windows recovery error

Question

I have a very old Dell XPS a2010 computer. The computer starts up and displays the Dell logo and from there it goes to a Windows recovery error.

Nothing seems to be working. Endless Windows recovery error Windows loop.

I have tried removing battery, and reinstalling, tried CMOS jumper wires and nothing seems to help.

Answer 1

The Dell XPS a2010 likely came with Windows Vista, or perhaps Windows 7. Those operating systems have not been supported for a long while, and it is doubtful the PC would be fast enough to run Windows 10 (which reaches end of life in Oct, 2025), and certainly could not support Windows 11, with TPM requirements.

Your best course of action would be to salvage data, if it's of use, and to wipe the disk if it's still in good shape (check S.M.A.R.T. BTW, I've had HDD that last 12 years, and some 2 years) and install a current operating system. Here are some ways to do so.

Salvage Data

• If you already have disk imaging tools, such as Macrium Rescue Environment or an alternative, boot from that and image the disk to an external drive,

• Or create a Ubuntu Live USB or similar live Linux distro, boot directly from USB, and use either dd or Ubuntu's Disks utility to image the drive to external media.

Install a New Operating System

• If you've made live Ubuntu media, test the OS to see if you like it. If so, use Disks to remove all partitions, leaving the drive empty, and install Ubuntu directly from that media.
• Alternatively, select another OS and test it before installing.

My experience with older 32-bit computers, as well as with 64-bit machines comparable to that Dell, is that

• Linux can be installed in a smaller amount of drive space than Windows,
• Runs applications faster,
• And is still supported, unlike Windows Vista, 7, 8 and (soon) 10.