Dimension 3000, won't boot up

Question

I am unsure where to post as there is no section for dell dimension series.

I have a dell dimension 3000 that won't boot. When I turn on the computer it says "strike f1 to retry boot, f2 for setup utility"

The light on the power button is solid green if that helps at all.

I have a brand new hard drive that is unused. I tried looking at other help forums and some didn't make sense, others said something about needing a diagnostics CD to boot with. If someone could please guide me to fix this issue. This is my grandparent's old computer and they don't have any CDS/disks that are associated with this by the way as they got rid of them.

Let me know what additional information you need to help me out. PLEASE HELP ME. I am lost on what to do.

Mary G · Accepted Answer

What do you mean by unused hard drive? You cannot boot the computer unless the hard drive has Windows installed. That said, it is not worth wasting your time with this obsolete model. You need to have a windows installation disk for the original windows version to boot the computer. That is most likely XP which is no longer supported. Remove the new hard drive and recycle the old computer. It is a 14 yr old model.

jeessica0920 · Answer

I figured I would have to do that. I just wanted to see if there was anything I could do. Thanks for responding!

jeessica0920 · Answer

I have a dell dimension 3000 that won't boot. When I turn on the computer it says "strike f1 to retry boot, f2 for setup utility"

The light on the power button is solid green if that helps at all.

I have a brand new hard drive that is unused. I tried looking at other help forums and some didn't make sense, others said something about needing a diagnostics CD to boot with. If someone could please guide me to fix this issue. This is my grandparent's old computer and they don't have any CDS/disks that are associated with this by the way as they got rid of them.

Let me know what additional information you need to help me out. PLEASE HELP ME. I am lost on what to do.

bmcowboy · Answer

Hi&#xa0;@jeessica0920&#xa0;,Wonder if you're trying to boot from the brand new hard drive you mentioned with no Windows on it. And of course it won't boot if true.&#xa0;Besides,&#xa0;Dimension 3000 is a Celeron type PC first released on 2004' and design for WinXP. Better get a new/refurnish PC with modern CPU and OS rather than fight with an&#xa0;ancient one.

speedstep · Answer

This machine is too old to support windows.
HOWEVER Linux works Just fine on this model.
UBUNTU 18.04 is the latest long term support version.
Given the age of the unit at a minimum you will need a new CMOS Battery
Duracell DL2032.

Given its age However Its not a machine I recommend buying anything more than that.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B016KQYM8I

Most Grocery Stores carry these because blood sugar machines use the same battery.

https://www.amazon.com/Ubuntu-Unleashed-2019-Covering-18-04/dp/013498546X

The Ubuntu Uleashed Book comes with an Ubuntu DVD and a book.

This can be used on as many machines as you want.

You can also ask someone that has a dvd burner to make you an installer disk.

If this machine only has CDROM then I would recommend Puppy Linux 5

http://iso.linuxquestions.org/puppy-linux/puppy-linux-5.5-slacko/

speedstep · Answer