Reformatting hard drive on Dimension 4100

Question

Hi, I hope I'm posting this in the right place!  I have a Dimension 4100 and I need to reformat the hard disk due to virus problems.  We originally had Windows 98 (I think), but upgraded to XP a couple of years ago.  We have the XP discs, but we're not quite sure at the moment where the original discs that came with the computer are.  I don't have much technical expertise, so I'm not really sure what to do.  Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

ieee488 · Answer

Do you still have the Windows98 CD?

My Dimension 4100 came with Windows ME. Yuck.

Anyway, after you reformat the hard drive, unless you have the Windows XP disk, you will have to settle for Windows 98 that is if you still have the CD.

Don't do anything unless you have the CD in hand.

shesagordie · Answer

giraffe99

First, did you disconnect all the peripherals from the system except the keyboard, mouse and monitor.

How to configure Dell Dimension series system to boot to the CD or DVD drive.

This XP reinstallation guide should be helpful.

If you have an upgrade version of XP, then the original operating system CD, will be needed as qualifying media.

Bev.

===================================================
Please don't send me questions about your system by DCF Messenger.
Post the issue in the appropriate Board, where they will be answered.

giraffe99 · Answer

ieee488 - I don't have the original windows 98 disk, but I do have the xp ones.   shesageordie - I haven't disconnected anything yet!  But is that what I should do?  And is there a way around it if I can't find the original disk?  My dad seems to think it's not just an upgrade version of xp, but I'm not sure how to tell.  Thanks for the links - I'll have a look at those.

ieee488 · Answer

girafe99,

Back up all your data files - photos, etc.

Another thing to do first before you do anything,
check to see if there are Windows XP drivers from the Dell website
for your model of PC that you need to download.

What shesagordie is saying about the upgrade version of Windows XP, probably doesn't
apply to you since you have said you originally had Windows 98 on the PC.

Assuming that is the case, disconnect all the other peripherals except mouse, keyboard, and monitor as shesagordie suggested and
follow the link she gave about making sure your PC boots from the CD first.

Put your Windows XP CD into the drive.

Reboot and re-install the OS.

Message Edited by ieee488 on 09-06-2007 05:03 PM

giraffe99 · Answer

Thanks, shesageordie.  Is there any way round it if I can't find a friend with what I need?  Someone said I could download something from the web, but she didn't really know much about it!

shesagordie · Answer

giraffe99

Sorry, there's no workaround, if you cannot find a qualifying media CD, then a new retail copy of XP, will need to be purchased.

Bev.

===================================================
Please don't send me questions about your system by DCF Messenger.
Post the issue in the appropriate Board, where they will be answered.

Message Edited by shesagordie on 09-06-2007 05:55 PM

giraffe99 · Answer

OK, thanks - that makes sense.  I'm going to read through all the links before actually doing anything though!   I just wanted to ask about looking for drivers on the Dell website... what exactly should I be looking for?  I'm a bit confused with hardware - will anything be automatically installed when I reinstall XP, or do they all need to be done individually?

shesagordie · Answer

giraffe99

Yes, you should disconnect everything, except the mouse, keyboard and monitor.

You will find out if the copy of XP is an upgrade version, because during the install, XP will request that you load the qualifying media.

Lost the qualifying media, then borrow a copy of W98/98se or WMe from a friend.

Bev.

===================================================
Please don't send me questions about your system by DCF Messenger.
Post the issue in the appropriate Board, where they will be answered.

ieee488 · Answer

giraffe99, Sorry for the wrong information about the XP upgrade/non-upgrade issue. For some reason, I just assumed you'd have a full version and not an upgrade version.

giraffe99 · Answer

ieee488,   Don't worry, you didn't give me the wrong information!  It's just that I'm not sure whether it's an upgrade version or a full one, though my dad reckons it's almost definitely a full one.  I just wanted to know what would happen if not.

DELL-Donald K · Answer

If your XP CD is an upgrade, it will say so on the sleeve with the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) which is required to install an Upgrade or a Retail Full Version of XP.    If you don't have a sleeve with a COA then technically upgrading your OS on this system is a violation of the Microsoft EULA (Either a pirated copy or a Dell BIOS locked copy that didn't ship with the system, but came with another system.)

giraffe99 · Answer

My dad got it through the IT dept at his work, but it's definitely legitimate.

Storage, Drives & Media

Reformatting hard drive on Dimension 4100

Was this post helpful?