Dimension L700cxe problems

To make a short story long.... Upgrading the PC for a friend, it sports 512RAM and a new 40 gigHD. I'm trying to install a non-Dell branded version of xp which should work on this PC, since it has been used on other Dells. When it gets to installing the system files, it stops prompting it cannot install ntfs.sys; press ESC to skip or enter to retry. Of course, retry does nothing but loops the same message, skipping the file, I get the same message about other system file then it stops and says xp was not installed then reboots. OK I tried to install windows 2000, but I go through the same thing but with different system files. I move the hard drive to a different Dell (a gx260) and it installed with no problem. I noticed the Bios was a A11 level so I upgraded the Bios to A14, but after the reboot, no it stays on the DELL intro screen a goes no further. I can get into the Bios and it says its at A14 level and I can toggle thru the screen but it will not Boot to the floppy or CD or HD, it just stops at the Dell screen. I have not gone any further than that.

Should I clear the NVRAM or CMOS and start over? I figured I would get better responses in here since you guys have helped me in the past. Any suggestions? I am a sys admin so I will understand any tech talk. You know how it is, a different perspective in troubleshooting always helps.

Thanks Bogie