Dell Dimension e510 Rebuild

Run the Setup.exe from the CD.

Thanks for answering my question.  But can you be more specific as to which "setup" to run.  There is not a setup on the top level directory, however I noticed at least 3 setup executables in directory below the top level:

win2k_xp

files

install

Any more help is greatly appreciated.

Also, I've read where there should be a part of the disk that has the factory set image on it that can be accessed by F8, has anyone ever used this option, or is it wiped out when you install windows again?

Kevin

I have a Dimension E510.

There is, or at least was, the Dell recovery partition on the hard drive that would allow restoring back to the original factory condition and no discs are needed.  CTRL/F11 at POST (Power On Self Test) will access the Dell recovery. 

My E510 came with the Discs, both the Windows XP (Media Center Edition) disc and the Drivers and Utilities disc.

You don't need the drivers and utilities disc, just download the drivers from the Dell downloads   www.support.dell.com    enter the service tag number for the PC.  Burn them to a disc or copy them to a USB "memory key" and take them to the E510 for installation.

The correct and required install sequence is (1) Install Windows (2) Install Dell Desktop System Software (3) Install Intel motherboard chipset drivers (4) Install Device Drivers including Video, Dell SigmaTel sound drivers, Ethernet, etc.   DO NOT skip the chipset drivers as they are key to a successful install and MUST be installed BEFORE installing the sound driver. 

Thanks firebird, I am going to try some things today on the e510.  I have a question though for you or anyone that can answer it.

I have the 2 disks that you mention above, the Operating System disk and the Drivers and Utilities disk that came with the computer.  

Above you mention, and others also have mentioned, the correct sequence to install the software:

(1) Install Windows

(2) Install Dell Desktop System Software

(3) Install Intel motherboard chipset drivers

(4) Install Device Drivers including Video, Dell SigmaTel sound drivers, Ethernet, etc.

I understand that #1 is on the Operating System disk,and #4 is on the Drivers and Utilities disk, but which disk are #2 and #3 on, or do you have to download it from somewhere.

Sorry for the question if it is obvious.

Thanks

Kevin

UPDATE:

I tried to do a few things on the computer today.

1) Tried to boot up with the cntl/F11, it didn't even recognize it.  It only recognized F2.  Does that mean there are no restoreable partitions on the disk.

2) Tried to use my drivers and utilities disk(A17) that was sent to my Father-in-Law when he had a problem a couple of years ago.  It seems that this may not be the right disk to go with the dimension e510, since the model choices on the disk did not include e510.  There were only about 4 choices, and the closest one was e521.  I used that and tried to install the drivers listed above(Desktop, audio, etc.).  It looked like they installed them correctly, but after a restart nothing looks different.  Does anyone know what you can check to see if they were installed correctly?  Do you have to enable anything to get the modem going?  Is there something on the control panel that you can check?

3) I was able to get the service tag number, so I just went to the dell website as fireberd suggested above and copied the dirvers that went with the model to a memory stick.  I ended up copying 12 files, desktop, chipset, audio, video, communications, etc.  When I go to the computer tomorrow, do I need to remove the other drivers that I installed previous(See #2 above)?

Should I just reinstall windows(OS) again and start all over now that I have the service tag number, and the correct drivers?  

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Kevin

The Dimension 5150 is identical to the E510, if that is a model listed on the Disc you have it will work.  The E521 has different hardware and not compatible.  But as you have the downloads I would use them.  

The most important item is the Intel Motherboard Chipset drivers.  The Dell Desktop System Software is not really critical.

The Chipset drivers MUST be installed before Device Drivers, as one of the prime things the chipset drivers do is define (identify) all the devices on or attached to the motherboard.

Usually, if the install was not done correctly or in the correct order, the chipset drivers can be installed and then missing/incorrect device drivers can be installed.  However, in some cases it will take a new/correct install sequence to get everthing working properly.

SUCCESS!

I downloaded the drivers from the www.support.dell website like was suggested above.  I used the service tag number to get the "exact" drivers required for the dimension e510.  I had to find the chipset driver which was in a different folder on the website, but I downloaded that also.  I downloaded to a memory stick and installed in the order suggested above.  The system came online.

Looking back I think the problem was the resource disk that was sent by dell to my Father-in-law after he couldn't find his original disk, had the wrong drivers.  Not only didn't it have the option for the e510 model, it also didn't contain the chipset driver.  I have burned a copy of the drivers needed on another DVD so we will be ready if this happens again.

Thanks for all of the help I found here and especially fireberd for taking the time to write twice with detailed help.

Kevin