You are stuck with the reinstall of windows the old fashion way....

 The good news is that the result is a clean version of XP . . none of the Bloatware that was shipped with the pc

Hi

 

http://www.amazon.com/Dell-Microsoft-Windows-Home-Reinstallation/dp/B000M12DNE

From Chris

My computer
Dell Dimension 1100
Microsoft Windows XP Home SP3
512 MB of Ram
Nvidia Geforce FX 5200 256MB
Intel Celeron CPU 2.53GHz
Dell E196FP
HDD WDC WD800BB-75JCO 80GB C:
HDD Samsung SV2042H 20GB F:
TSSTcorp CDRWDVD TS-H492C D:
LITE-ON DVDRW LDW-851S E:
Linksys Wireless-G WUSB54GS With SpeedBooster
Logitech Cordless Desktop EX 90
Logitech Cordless Click Plus Rechargeable Optical Mouse
Mozilla Firefox 3.0.1
Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1

My Security Software
Avanquest SystemSuite 8 Professional
Windows Defender

Gosh . . you can get it free here:

 

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dellcare/en/backupcd_form?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&redirect=1

:smileyvery-happy:

 

Hey guys, the OP by the way did not ask for a OS cd just that he wanted to know if his 4550 had the Symantec Restore Utility as some others do so he does not have to reinstall with the operating cd. 

 

But simpswr is right, its free for the asking 

---

@SR45 wrote:

:smileyvery-happy:

 

Hey guys, the OP by the way did not ask for a OS cd just that he wanted to know if his 4550 had the Symantec Restore Utility as some others do so he does not have to reinstall with the operating cd. 

 

But simpswr is right, its free for the asking 

---

 

Correct, and unfortunately, I find no Symantec Restore at CTRL/F11.

 

I've got all the CDs that were shipped with the system back March 2003:

 

1) Reinstallation CD, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Including Service Pack 1 (purple color)

 

2) Drivers and Utilities Already Installed on Your Computer, For Reinstalling V.92/56K Data/Fax Modem Software for Microsoft Windows; Contents: Diagnostics and utilities, Online documentation, Phonte Tools fax software, Modem on Hold (blue color)

 

3) Application Already Installed on Your Computer, For Reinstalling Dell Tools System Software (blue color)

 

4) Application For Installing/Reinstalling Roxio Easy CD Creator 5.2 Basic (blue color)

 

5) CyberLink PowerDVD 4.0C (silver color, but with a Dell stamp)

 

6) Microsoft Works Suite 2003 (blue Microsoft box with 6 CDs: Works, Word, Money, Encarta, Picture It, Streets and Trips)

 

I thought CD 2) would have all the drivers such as chipset, video, etc. but looks like I'll have to go to the Dell site for these, plus they'll be the most recent.  Newer Dell machines that I've done full reinstalls on came with the full set of drivers on CD.

 

On this machine, I installed a new video card years ago, so I'll go to the manufacturer, nVidia, for that driver, or I could use the vanilla Windows driver.

 

It has the most recent bios, A08, which solved many USB problems I had.

 

I'll have to find my old PS2 keyboard to replace the USB (both Dell), and reset the bios to recognize a PS2 kbd.

 

I've got two printers connected to this machine.  One is an HP LaserJet 6L (parallel connection).  It was connected to a Windows 95 box, and when I moved it to this XP machine, HP provided 'crippled' drivers for XP.  Don't know if I'll be able to find those online.  I do have the original floppies for when I installed it on the Win95 box.

 

Disk 1) only has SP1, but I do have SP2 on CD that Microsoft issued in 2004.  I wonder if I asked Dell for a new set for this machine, if it would include SP2.  If so, I wonder if there's anything wrong with using another Dell reinstallation XP disk I have, that DOES include SP2.

 

And then I've got two new optical drives to reinstall...and applications...and cameras...and a scanner...and move my bookmarks and email...and do print screens of some of the settings...and record some bios settings...network settings...antivirus...

 

Yikes.  Think I'll get other chores done first.  This could be an into-the-night thing once I sit down.

 

 

 

I'd like to install, on a new hard drive, the hidden Dell Hardware Diagnostics (Build V1206.0, copyright Dell 2002) partition, which is accessible by hitting F12 at the Dell splash screen, which gets me to the Boot Device Menu, then choosing 8) Boot to Utility Partition, which launches this utility.

 

This partition is only visible in Disk Management (not Windows Explorer), and is 39 MB in size.

 

Do you know of a way to install this on a new hard drive?  Do you know if Acronis 9.0 will recognize this hidden partition and allow me to image it to a new hard drive?

Are you sure the disks are free? I called in about them and was told if my service tag is "expired", I will have to pay ~$40 (if I ordered them over the phone). So, if I ask for them online and provide an old tag (without the paid for service), will they send me a bill?

Many that have there systems warranty expired have called or filled out the form given and sent out a CD.  Only way a tech is going to say differently is when the tech is not up to speed on the way its done.   Fill out the form and go for it. 

Yes, that is true. Anywhere you call for customer service, some reps will give you different answers to the same question. That is why I was going to call them again to see if I can get a different answer. At any rate, they DO want to charge you for support, even if it's something simple like installing software. I posted my problem in a different thread but if I can get those free disks, this would be the SOLUTION. Thanks!