Dimension 4700

Question

I found a Dell Dimension 4700 in a dumpster, and it looks pretty much intact (usually all the drives and wiring are ripped out). I know the Dimension series were stripped down versions of other Dell desktops, so I don't know if there is anything missing from this computer; the inside doesn't look anything like my Studio XPS.

When I found the Dimension, there was a monitor and all of the power cables, so I hooked it up. It booted up fine, but an message screen came up, saying that I may be running a counterfeit copy of windows. I don't know if missing hardware would cause that error, or if the software is corrupted.

Here are some pictures of the computer I found:

Dell-Jyotpal F · Answer

Hi Sven914,

I did some research online and found that it may be against the law to use objects / equipments found in a dumpster. Therefore, I strongly recommend that you review laws related to the use of objects found in a dumpster in your Country / State.

If allowed, then from a purely technical standpoint, there is a possibility the previous owner might have installed a counterfeit version of windows on the computer due to which the message comes up. This issue can be fixed by reinstalling the Windows using a Dell OEM disk or a Retail genuine copy of windows. To get the Dell OEM disks for this computer, primarily Dell would have to verify the owner’s information (Person who originally owned this computer) which I believe in this situation is not possible. So the only way left is to buy a genuine retail copy of windows or use an existing one.

Dell has tested Dimension 4700 only on Windows XP and the drivers for this computer can be found on Dell’s Support Website.

shesagordie · Answer

Sven914

It looks like the interior of the chassis needs a good cleaning, also clean the fans, heatsinks cooling fins and the air intakes, located in the front panel.

To check the hardware, you can find the Dimension 4700 service manual here:

ftp://ftp.dell.com/Manuals/all-products/esuprt_desktop/esuprt_dimension_desktops/dimension-4700_owner%27s%20manual_en-us.pdf

Regards to "I may be running a counterfeit copy of windows", the Dimension 4700 was sold with XP installed.

Go to Microsoft's webpages here:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/help/genuine/faq

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/e21c6060-a83f-462c-a338-4b6af328babc/validate-my-copy-of-windows-xp

Bev.

rdunnill · Answer

I did some research online and found that it may be against the law to use objects / equipments found in a dumpster. Therefore, I strongly recommend that you review laws related to the use of objects found in a dumpster in your Country / State.

I've never heard of that law, and law enforcement is not going to prosecute the OP for fishing a PC out of a dumpster.

Philip_Yip · Answer

I have moved this to the Microsoft OS Forum.

The system as far as I can see has a valid Windows XP COA. The version of Windows XP installed on it by the former end user however may be illegal.

You should reinstall Windows XP on it.

However first check out the diagnostics on it.

See Windows Reinstallation Guide Page 409 and run the extended preboot diagnostics. Create the bootable CD/DVD using another computer as the internal diagnostics partition is likely not there: http://philipyip.wordpress.com/dell-community-forums/

Once that's done the OS will need to be loaded. To do this you will need a Dell Windows XP Reinstallation CD (Professional or Home depending what it says on your COA). As mentioned Dell are extremely unlikely to help you procure one as you are not the registered owner and also Windows XP is reaching its End of Life. However these CDs can usually be found on eBay. If you have one from another Dell system or a friend with one you can use that CD.

To install Windows XP follow A Clean install of Windows XP (page 209). Start on Step 4 and use another computer. Ensure you carry out the optiopnal Step 7a to securely wipe the hard drive.

Dell-Jyotpal F · Answer

Hi Sven914,

Its a good thing that you went through the service manual. Generally with the Dimension series, we ship just one hard drive and usage of multiple hard drives might be possible as Master and Slave feature but for that we need to set the jumpers to a particular position. So the original owner might have installed a second hard drive but I would recommend using a single hard drive on the computer.

Windows 7 is not compatible with Dimension series. We do not even have the drivers for this operating system. The only supported operating system with Dimension 4700 is Windows XP, so the original owner has installed Windows 7 on it and that could be quite possible that the windows he installed is not genuine thus you are getting that message.

As mentioned earlier, for using this computer you would have to get a Dell OEM disk for Windows XP or use a genuine retail copy of Windows XP on the computer. After you have installed Windows XP on the computer, you would have to download the drivers from Dell's support website for Network Card, Graphics, Audio and Chipset before you can use the computer properly

Hope this helps.

Sven914 · Answer

Thanks for the replies.

I found a Dell Dimension service manual online, and was able to connect some disconnected wires. I can't find any missing hardware and there are two hard drives and two DVD drives.

The one hard drive was disconnected, and when I reconnected it, the computer wouldn't turn on (just got a flashing orange light). So I disconnected the second hard drive, and it booted up normally.

When it did, I started it in Safe Mode and all of the windows files opened and brought up the desktop. Now I can start the computer normally, and it will still say windows is not genuine, but I can get passed that screen and get to the desktop and the other functionalities.

In the corner it says "Windows 7 Build 7601" so that's probably why I'm getting that message.

Sven914 · Answer

I probably will re-install XP; my aunt has XP on her computer so I can get the install disk from her. All of the desktop icons look oversized and background is pixelated, so I'm sure the drivers need to be re-installed.

Dell-Jyotpal F · Answer

Hi Sven914,

Yes you can certainly do that and install Windows XP on the computer. And after you have done that you would have to install the drivers on the computer.

Now, Dimension 4700 comes in two variants. One is normal Dimension 4700 and the other is Dimension 4700C.

For drivers of Dimension 4700, click here and then click on Drivers and Downloads and download the drivers for your computer. Alternatively, if you have a sticker on the computer that either says Service Tag or Express Service Code then you can also download the drivers by clicking here . Once you have downloaded by selecting the operating system as Windows XP, then you need to install the drivers in the following order:

Chipset Drivers
Video Drivers
Audio Drivers
Network Drivers

There is no need to update the BIOS of the desktop. Also components like Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse and DVD drives are plug and play, so you do not need any drivers for them.

Hope this helps. For any other query please feel free to reply.

Philip_Yip · Answer

In the corner it says 'Windows 7 Build 7601' so that's probably why I'm getting that message.     Windows 7 for instance can be installed without a product key. It will function as a trial for 30 days and then you will experience the symptoms you are experiencing. Its possible that the former owner done this before tossing the PC. However Windows 7 32 bit should run okay on this model. Reinstallation of Windows XP is an option but note that XP reaches its End of Life soon: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/endofsupport.aspx  For Reinstallation of either OS follow Windows Reinstallation Guide / A Clean install of Windows: http://philipyip.wordpress.com/dell-community-forums/ As mentioned earlier I highly advise securely wiping the drive using DBAN before reinstalling the OS as you have no idea what the previous owner has done with the system.

Windows General

Dimension 4700

Was this post helpful?