Most likely the hard drive has failed. Boot the Dell Drivers and Utilities CD and do a full test of the hard drive.

Windows ME uses a floppy setup disk. Use that and at least see if you can access the hard drive from the console or Dos for a scan, and a partition and format if neccesary.

Windows ME is the very worst choice in OS's available to the modern pc user. Give that cd the combat boot and if you cant afford XP, then at least try Win 98 second edition. The second edition allows for USB installation without having to manually install it later, a tricky proposition on some motherboards at best.

If you play any current games more complicated than bejewelled or scrabble, your best investment is XP Home Sp. 2, avail at a software retailer near you, lol.

You won't believe the reliability and soundness of installation you get with XP over any previous rip off schemes by Bill Gates. Once you install it, you are good to go for a long time. Unlike 98 and ME, where you got crashes at first and with time and careful maintenance, the OS got stronger if you could get it to last six months or more.

Every nerd I know calls ME the only toy OS ever designed and built as a toy. Really mate!

Winter-Out:smileywink:

A quick correction, Min ME setup is run from the reinstallation disc. There is no need for a boot floppy or to run FDISK. Just boot to system setup, set the first boot device to CD, pop your ME disc into the CD drive and boot to the setup screen. You should follow your Dimension 4100 Win ME Installation Guide CAREFULLY. However, you do not need to install any chipset driver.

I agree completely about XP. However, the cost of upgrading is more than just buying an XP disc. You'll need to upgrade hardware and software as well, so consider carefully before you buy. Run the Dell upgrade advisor to make sure you know what you're getting into. This is a 4-5 yr old computer and consideration should be given to your personal requirements and your time table for replacing this machine.

You got my total agreement with your suggestion to consider hardware before upgrading your OS. Sorry, I didn't even think about that before making such reckless advice.

Thanks Osprey for getting us all back in line my friend.

Chastised and more the wiser-Winter :womansurprised: