Bought a Dell Inspiron 1525 refurbished from Overstock.com for a brother in Iraq. Windows Vista Home Premium. Wanted to check it out before shipping-turned on and instantly received error-"changes in memory-windows shut down improperly." Options-F1 continue, F2 setup utility, F5 run diagnostics. I chose F1-keeps trying to re-boot over and over again with the error-"windows could not parse or process unattend answer file{c:windows\pantherunattend.xmi.] The answer file is invalid. The error code was detected @ line 101 column 1 of answer file. I have tried to reboot using the last successful configuration-same error. Onboard diagnostics detect no problems. Dell will not help-too concerned about transfer of ownership issues, microsoft wants me to contact mfr since they installed OS. I just want my brother to have a means of communication with us. This is his first computer. I am NOT a techie at all, is there a simple solution? I would like to avoid returning laptop if possible.

I do have a disc, I tried to install with it, no luck, but I will try removing the battery and leave it over night. Thank you for your response, Lighthouse!

An answer file contains settings to install Windows with a certain set of settings. It helps OEMs like Dell as they can just start the setup with that file on many computers at once and many things like time zone and product key are pre-entered without needed to sit by the computer and enter things. If the answer file is invalid then leaving the computer out overnight will probably not help.
I think if it is indeed invalid then I think that means either a hard drive problem that corrupted it or Dell put a bad copy on the computer somehow.
Either way I would say you should contact Dell.