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From: Anna on 6 Apr 2010 18:29

"Diane" <Diane(a)discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:3111F76C-2035-440C-86C5-24A381A46627(a)microsoft.com...
>I have read lots of answers for a clean install, but none of say how and
> where are these "Bios" at. This is a Dell Dimension 8100. I have two
> programs
> (?) on start up. One is setting, and the other is boot setting. Is one of
> these Bios. I am a beginner at this, and really need some help. But could
> you
> put it into simple terms, pretty please.
> If you ask, why do I think I need a clean install, I will tell you. Did a
> clean install years ago with the help of Dell. Computer came with WinMe on
> it, and we had to do alot of re-installs on it. Finally give up on WinMe,
> and
> ask Dell to help me do a clean install for XP Home, which I bought. They
> said
> that they could only help me thru the debug and that it. Dell won't talk
> to
> me now. About a 2 years ago, the Dell clashed. A friend suggested that we
> put in SP2 disk, which it putted back which it needed for run the
> computer.
> About four days ago, the computer can't run some of the programs that I
> use
> to. Including Java, which I need to play on POGO. Try uninstalling and
> reinstalling four times. Computer won't run Java running time, and now I
> notice a program thats been on the computer for over a month, is a new
> program. I think I told you every thing you need to know.
> So please, in simple terms. How do I get to bios to be able to run debug.
> XP has all current updates including SP3
> Thank you so much for your help.


Diane:
Forget, for a moment, about the BIOS and similarly forget, for a moment,
about "debug", OK?

When you mention a "clean install" (of the Windows XP operating system (OS))
do you understand that a "clean install" generally means a "fresh install"
of the OS? And if you fresh install the XP OS that means that *all* the data
on your hard drive (HDD) disappears and is gone for good. So a fresh install
means that *only* the OS is installed on the HDD.

So is that what you really want - a fresh install of the OS? Or do you
*really* mean you want a re:install of the OS so that all the present data
on your HDD - all your programs & personal data - would be retained, but you
would have a new install of the OS that is free from corruption, is bootable
without any problem, and is perfectly functional?

From what I can gather from your post, you were able to purchase (from Dell)
a Windows XP OS installation CD (Home Ed.) some years ago. And you used that
CD to originally install the XP OS onto your HDD? And eventually you
installed SP2 onto your machine?

Presumably the machine has been working just fine for the past few years and
it's only been recently that you've experienced the problems you relate?

As to the problem(s) you're experiencing at this time...

Are you able to boot to your Desktop without any problem? No error messages
of any kind? A normal bootup?

Assuming no problem with the boot, could you describe *precisely* the
problem(s) you're experiencing? Is it that you can access some programs/data
but not other programs/data?

Are you able to connect to the Internet and use your mail program with no
problem?

You've been able to post your message to this newsgroup using your Dimension
8100?

Are you aware that pressing the F2 key during the initial stage of booting
up your machine will access the BIOS? Is that *really* where you want to go?

Anyway, if you decide to respond to this post please answer the above
questions in some detail and as best you can. Please try to detail the
precise nature of the problem(s) you're experiencing and what your specific
objective(s) is/are, OK?
Anna


From: Diane on 6 Apr 2010 22:31
Thank you so much Peter Foldes, LVTravel, db, Ken Blake, MVP and Anna for
answering me. So I will answer your question.
Peter Folders: Sorry, I don't have a XP SP2 disk. It was a friends disk that
he used on this computer.
LVTravel: I have read Peter suggestion and wish I could do it. But I don't
have a disk with SP2 on it. It was a friends. Yes, I do know Dell Dimension
8100 had WinMe on it. In fact I held the record for reinstalling it. When
Dell helped me thru debug they said nothing about adding Dell things back on
the computer. As far as booting from XP Home Disk (this is "not" from Dell,
got it from Best Buy), I have tried, but still boots off of hard drive. I
think I am suppose to change something but don't remember what. Just looked
at it, and it says on the disk "upgrade". Thank you LVTravel, but the support
manual's is as clear as mud. Thats why I ask for "simple terms". Beginner
here, and still learning.
db: Splash screen setting???? What are those??? I am having enough trouble
finding these things call BIOS. Thank you, but I don't want WinMe back on
here. Would love to have my XP working again, with sound and etc.
Ken Blake MVP: Thank you, I really thought BIOS was part of Windows. Guess
my gray hair is showing. I will try your suggestion on the Del Key. Like I
said in first posting. After Dell screen come up, two little programs (?) are
on top right . I think first one says setting and I know the second say boot
setting. Where I am trying to get to is debug. I wrote down what Dell was
telling me to do in debug to remove WinMe. I assume it would also work to
remove XP.
Anna: Yes I know what "clean install" means. If I knew how to do it, I would
even do a low level format on the hard drive. What I read that formatting
doesn't really remove all of the data. Maybe I am still having some of WinMe
problems on the hard drive. No didn't purchase XP Home from Dell, got it from
Best Buy. Yes I am able to boot from the hard drive, in fact talking to you
on the Dell. So yes on the internet. Problems: No Sound. Java running time
won't load, yet Java say its loaded right. But the whole Java program isn't
in Add and Remove. Java won't run. Memory is forget full. Programs that were
load month ago are now being showed as "new". Program that were running
before, don't run on the internet. Yes I can use MSN mail. Anna what I would
like, is a clean install, from the ground up. Format, fdisk, etc. I hope this
answer all your question. All I really need to know is how can I get to debug
to start typing all the stuff in. Pretty Please
Thanks again all


"Anna" wrote:

>
> "Diane" <Diane(a)discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:3111F76C-2035-440C-86C5-24A381A46627(a)microsoft.com...
> >I have read lots of answers for a clean install, but none of say how and
> > where are these "Bios" at. This is a Dell Dimension 8100. I have two
> > programs
> > (?) on start up. One is setting, and the other is boot setting. Is one of
> > these Bios. I am a beginner at this, and really need some help. But could
> > you
> > put it into simple terms, pretty please.
> > If you ask, why do I think I need a clean install, I will tell you. Did a
> > clean install years ago with the help of Dell. Computer came with WinMe on
> > it, and we had to do alot of re-installs on it. Finally give up on WinMe,
> > and
> > ask Dell to help me do a clean install for XP Home, which I bought. They
> > said
> > that they could only help me thru the debug and that it. Dell won't talk
> > to
> > me now. About a 2 years ago, the Dell clashed. A friend suggested that we
> > put in SP2 disk, which it putted back which it needed for run the
> > computer.
> > About four days ago, the computer can't run some of the programs that I
> > use
> > to. Including Java, which I need to play on POGO. Try uninstalling and
> > reinstalling four times. Computer won't run Java running time, and now I
> > notice a program thats been on the computer for over a month, is a new
> > program. I think I told you every thing you need to know.
> > So please, in simple terms. How do I get to bios to be able to run debug.
> > XP has all current updates including SP3
> > Thank you so much for your help.
>
>
> Diane:
> Forget, for a moment, about the BIOS and similarly forget, for a moment,
> about "debug", OK?
>
> When you mention a "clean install" (of the Windows XP operating system (OS))
> do you understand that a "clean install" generally means a "fresh install"
> of the OS? And if you fresh install the XP OS that means that *all* the data
> on your hard drive (HDD) disappears and is gone for good. So a fresh install
> means that *only* the OS is installed on the HDD.
>
> So is that what you really want - a fresh install of the OS? Or do you
> *really* mean you want a re:install of the OS so that all the present data
> on your HDD - all your programs & personal data - would be retained, but you
> would have a new install of the OS that is free from corruption, is bootable
> without any problem, and is perfectly functional?
>
> From what I can gather from your post, you were able to purchase (from Dell)
> a Windows XP OS installation CD (Home Ed.) some years ago. And you used that
> CD to originally install the XP OS onto your HDD? And eventually you
> installed SP2 onto your machine?
>
> Presumably the machine has been working just fine for the past few years and
> it's only been recently that you've experienced the problems you relate?
>
> As to the problem(s) you're experiencing at this time...
>
> Are you able to boot to your Desktop without any problem? No error messages
> of any kind? A normal bootup?
>
> Assuming no problem with the boot, could you describe *precisely* the
> problem(s) you're experiencing? Is it that you can access some programs/data
> but not other programs/data?
>
> Are you able to connect to the Internet and use your mail program with no
> problem?
>
> You've been able to post your message to this newsgroup using your Dimension
> 8100?
>
> Are you aware that pressing the F2 key during the initial stage of booting
> up your machine will access the BIOS? Is that *really* where you want to go?
>
> Anyway, if you decide to respond to this post please answer the above
> questions in some detail and as best you can. Please try to detail the
> precise nature of the problem(s) you're experiencing and what your specific
> objective(s) is/are, OK?
> Anna
>
>
> .
>
From: Peter Foldes on 7 Apr 2010 02:05
Diane

Best you take your computer to a reputable computer repair shop.

--
Peter

Please Reply to Newsgroup for the benefit of others
Requests for assistance by email can not and will not be acknowledged.

"Diane" <Diane(a)discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:FFDB7658-1BD8-419A-A18F-F9B7455BFBB6(a)microsoft.com...
> Thank you so much Peter Foldes, LVTravel, db, Ken Blake, MVP and Anna for
> answering me. So I will answer your question.
> Peter Folders: Sorry, I don't have a XP SP2 disk. It was a friends disk that

From: Desk Rabbit on 7 Apr 2010 11:05
On 07/04/2010 03:31, Diane wrote:
> Thank you so much Peter Foldes, LVTravel, db, Ken Blake, MVP and Anna for
> answering me. So I will answer your question.
> Peter Folders: Sorry, I don't have a XP SP2 disk. It was a friends disk that
> he used on this computer.
> LVTravel: I have read Peter suggestion and wish I could do it. But I don't
> have a disk with SP2 on it. It was a friends. Yes, I do know Dell Dimension
> 8100 had WinMe on it. In fact I held the record for reinstalling it. When
> Dell helped me thru debug they said nothing about adding Dell things back on
> the computer. As far as booting from XP Home Disk (this is "not" from Dell,
> got it from Best Buy), I have tried, but still boots off of hard drive. I
> think I am suppose to change something but don't remember what. Just looked
> at it, and it says on the disk "upgrade". Thank you LVTravel, but the support
> manual's is as clear as mud. Thats why I ask for "simple terms". Beginner
> here, and still learning.
> db: Splash screen setting???? What are those??? I am having enough trouble
> finding these things call BIOS. Thank you, but I don't want WinMe back on
> here. Would love to have my XP working again, with sound and etc.
> Ken Blake MVP: Thank you, I really thought BIOS was part of Windows. Guess
> my gray hair is showing. I will try your suggestion on the Del Key. Like I
> said in first posting. After Dell screen come up, two little programs (?) are
> on top right . I think first one says setting and I know the second say boot
> setting. Where I am trying to get to is debug. I wrote down what Dell was
> telling me to do in debug to remove WinMe. I assume it would also work to
> remove XP.
> Anna: Yes I know what "clean install" means. If I knew how to do it, I would
> even do a low level format on the hard drive. What I read that formatting
> doesn't really remove all of the data. Maybe I am still having some of WinMe
> problems on the hard drive. No didn't purchase XP Home from Dell, got it from
> Best Buy. Yes I am able to boot from the hard drive, in fact talking to you
> on the Dell. So yes on the internet. Problems: No Sound. Java running time
> won't load, yet Java say its loaded right. But the whole Java program isn't
> in Add and Remove. Java won't run. Memory is forget full. Programs that were
> load month ago are now being showed as "new". Program that were running
> before, don't run on the internet. Yes I can use MSN mail. Anna what I would
> like, is a clean install, from the ground up. Format, fdisk, etc. I hope this
> answer all your question. All I really need to know is how can I get to debug
> to start typing all the stuff in. Pretty Please
> Thanks again all
>
>
> "Anna" wrote:
>
>>
>> "Diane"<Diane(a)discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:3111F76C-2035-440C-86C5-24A381A46627(a)microsoft.com...
>>> I have read lots of answers for a clean install, but none of say how and
>>> where are these "Bios" at. This is a Dell Dimension 8100. I have two
>>> programs
>>> (?) on start up. One is setting, and the other is boot setting. Is one of
>>> these Bios. I am a beginner at this, and really need some help. But could
>>> you
>>> put it into simple terms, pretty please.
>>> If you ask, why do I think I need a clean install, I will tell you. Did a
>>> clean install years ago with the help of Dell. Computer came with WinMe on
>>> it, and we had to do alot of re-installs on it. Finally give up on WinMe,
>>> and
>>> ask Dell to help me do a clean install for XP Home, which I bought. They
>>> said
>>> that they could only help me thru the debug and that it. Dell won't talk
>>> to
>>> me now. About a 2 years ago, the Dell clashed. A friend suggested that we
>>> put in SP2 disk, which it putted back which it needed for run the
>>> computer.
>>> About four days ago, the computer can't run some of the programs that I
>>> use
>>> to. Including Java, which I need to play on POGO. Try uninstalling and
>>> reinstalling four times. Computer won't run Java running time, and now I
>>> notice a program thats been on the computer for over a month, is a new
>>> program. I think I told you every thing you need to know.
>>> So please, in simple terms. How do I get to bios to be able to run debug.
>>> XP has all current updates including SP3
>>> Thank you so much for your help.
>>
>>
>> Diane:
>> Forget, for a moment, about the BIOS and similarly forget, for a moment,
>> about "debug", OK?
>>
>> When you mention a "clean install" (of the Windows XP operating system (OS))
>> do you understand that a "clean install" generally means a "fresh install"
>> of the OS? And if you fresh install the XP OS that means that *all* the data
>> on your hard drive (HDD) disappears and is gone for good. So a fresh install
>> means that *only* the OS is installed on the HDD.
>>
>> So is that what you really want - a fresh install of the OS? Or do you
>> *really* mean you want a re:install of the OS so that all the present data
>> on your HDD - all your programs& personal data - would be retained, but you
>> would have a new install of the OS that is free from corruption, is bootable
>> without any problem, and is perfectly functional?
>>
>> From what I can gather from your post, you were able to purchase (from Dell)
>> a Windows XP OS installation CD (Home Ed.) some years ago. And you used that
>> CD to originally install the XP OS onto your HDD? And eventually you
>> installed SP2 onto your machine?
>>
>> Presumably the machine has been working just fine for the past few years and
>> it's only been recently that you've experienced the problems you relate?
>>
>> As to the problem(s) you're experiencing at this time...
>>
>> Are you able to boot to your Desktop without any problem? No error messages
>> of any kind? A normal bootup?
>>
>> Assuming no problem with the boot, could you describe *precisely* the
>> problem(s) you're experiencing? Is it that you can access some programs/data
>> but not other programs/data?
>>
>> Are you able to connect to the Internet and use your mail program with no
>> problem?
>>
>> You've been able to post your message to this newsgroup using your Dimension
>> 8100?
>>
>> Are you aware that pressing the F2 key during the initial stage of booting
>> up your machine will access the BIOS? Is that *really* where you want to go?
>>
>> Anyway, if you decide to respond to this post please answer the above
>> questions in some detail and as best you can. Please try to detail the
>> precise nature of the problem(s) you're experiencing and what your specific
>> objective(s) is/are, OK?
>> Anna
>>
>>
>> .
>>

You are so out of your depth. Take it to an expert before you wipe all
your data and make the job take twice as long and cost four times as much.
From: Anna on 7 Apr 2010 12:09

>>> "Diane"<Diane(a)discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>>> news:3111F76C-2035-440C-86C5-24A381A46627(a)microsoft.com...
>>>> I have read lots of answers for a clean install, but none of say how
>>>> and
>>>> where are these "Bios" at. This is a Dell Dimension 8100. I have two
>>>> programs
>>>> (?) on start up. One is setting, and the other is boot setting. Is one
>>>> of
>>>> these Bios. I am a beginner at this, and really need some help. But
>>>> could
>>>> you
>>>> put it into simple terms, pretty please.
>>>> If you ask, why do I think I need a clean install, I will tell you. Did
>>>> a
>>>> clean install years ago with the help of Dell. Computer came with WinMe
>>>> on
>>>> it, and we had to do alot of re-installs on it. Finally give up on
>>>> WinMe,
>>>> and
>>>> ask Dell to help me do a clean install for XP Home, which I bought.
>>>> They
>>>> said
>>>> that they could only help me thru the debug and that it. Dell won't
>>>> talk
>>>> to
>>>> me now. About a 2 years ago, the Dell clashed. A friend suggested that
>>>> we
>>>> put in SP2 disk, which it putted back which it needed for run the
>>>> computer.
>>>> About four days ago, the computer can't run some of the programs that I
>>>> use
>>>> to. Including Java, which I need to play on POGO. Try uninstalling and
>>>> reinstalling four times. Computer won't run Java running time, and now
>>>> I
>>>> notice a program thats been on the computer for over a month, is a new
>>>> program. I think I told you every thing you need to know.
>>>> So please, in simple terms. How do I get to bios to be able to run
>>>> debug.
>>>> XP has all current updates including SP3
>>>> Thank you so much for your help.




>> "Anna" wrote:
>>> Diane:
>>> Forget, for a moment, about the BIOS and similarly forget, for a moment,
>>> about "debug", OK?
>>>
>>> When you mention a "clean install" (of the Windows XP operating system
>>> (OS))
>>> do you understand that a "clean install" generally means a "fresh
>>> install"
>>> of the OS? And if you fresh install the XP OS that means that *all* the
>>> data
>>> on your hard drive (HDD) disappears and is gone for good. So a fresh
>>> install
>>> means that *only* the OS is installed on the HDD.
>>>
>>> So is that what you really want - a fresh install of the OS? Or do you
>>> *really* mean you want a re:install of the OS so that all the present
>>> data
>>> on your HDD - all your programs& personal data - would be retained, but
>>> you
>>> would have a new install of the OS that is free from corruption, is
>>> bootable
>>> without any problem, and is perfectly functional?
>>>
>>> From what I can gather from your post, you were able to purchase (from
>>> Dell)
>>> a Windows XP OS installation CD (Home Ed.) some years ago. And you used
>>> that
>>> CD to originally install the XP OS onto your HDD? And eventually you
>>> installed SP2 onto your machine?
>>>
>>> Presumably the machine has been working just fine for the past few years
>>> and
>>> it's only been recently that you've experienced the problems you relate?
>>>
>>> As to the problem(s) you're experiencing at this time...
>>>
>>> Are you able to boot to your Desktop without any problem? No error
>>> messages
>>> of any kind? A normal bootup?
>>>
>>> Assuming no problem with the boot, could you describe *precisely* the
>>> problem(s) you're experiencing? Is it that you can access some
>>> programs/data
>>> but not other programs/data?
>>>
>>> Are you able to connect to the Internet and use your mail program with
>>> no
>>> problem?
>>>
>>> You've been able to post your message to this newsgroup using your
>>> Dimension
>>> 8100?
>>>
>>> Are you aware that pressing the F2 key during the initial stage of
>>> booting
>>> up your machine will access the BIOS? Is that *really* where you want to
>>> go?
>>>
>>> Anyway, if you decide to respond to this post please answer the above
>>> questions in some detail and as best you can. Please try to detail the
>>> precise nature of the problem(s) you're experiencing and what your
>>> specific
>>> objective(s) is/are, OK?
>>> Anna


> On 07/04/2010 03:31, Diane wrote:
(SNIP)
>> Anna: Yes I know what "clean install" means. If I knew how to do it, I
>> would
>> even do a low level format on the hard drive. What I read that formatting
>> doesn't really remove all of the data. Maybe I am still having some of
>> WinMe
>> problems on the hard drive. No didn't purchase XP Home from Dell, got it
>> from
>> Best Buy. Yes I am able to boot from the hard drive, in fact talking to
>> you
>> on the Dell. So yes on the internet. Problems: No Sound. Java running
>> time
>> won't load, yet Java say its loaded right. But the whole Java program
>> isn't
>> in Add and Remove. Java won't run. Memory is forget full. Programs that
>> were
>> load month ago are now being showed as "new". Program that were running
>> before, don't run on the internet. Yes I can use MSN mail. Anna what I
>> would
>> like, is a clean install, from the ground up. Format, fdisk, etc. I hope
>> this
>> answer all your question. All I really need to know is how can I get to
>> debug
>> to start typing all the stuff in. Pretty Please
>> Thanks again all


Diane:
1. I'm going to assume that there is no hardware-type problem with your PC
and whatever problems you've experienced now & in the past are due to (for
one reason or another) a corrupted OS.

2. I'm further assuming that when you installed the XP OS onto your Dell PC
some years ago using the XP OS installation CD you purchased from Best Buy
you also were able to obtain & install the necessary drivers, e.g., sound,
video, motherboard, etc. following the installation of the OS so that the
system operated without any problems.

Some time later, after experiencing some problem(s) with the PC you
installed SP2 and somehow you were able to return the system to a bootable,
functional state.

Is all the above correct?

3. So now all you're interested in is fresh-installing the XP OS. And you
fully understand that if you're able to do this all your programs and
personal data will disappear. Presumably you've backed up whatever data you
can.

4. Hopefully you can install the OS onto your HDD using your XP OS
installation CD. There is no need to pre-partition, pre-format your HDD; the
setup of the OS will take care of that. There is no need to invoke the fdisk
or debug commands or any other commands.

Again, I'm assuming that you have available the necessary drivers as I
indicated in 2. above. You do understand that if you are able to
fresh-install the OS it is necessary to subsequently install the required
drivers so that the system will be completely functional, right?

5. You must set the boot priority order of your Dell machine so that the PC
will boot to your bootable XP OS installation CD (and not to your HDD).
After powering-on your machine and inserting the CD you press the F2 key a
number of times while the system is booting up. This will access the
motherboard's BIOS so that you can change the boot priority order in order
that the first boot will be made to your CD-ROM drive (and not to your HDD).

Hopefully you'll then be able to boot to the XP OS installation CD and use
the setup process to fresh-install the OS onto your HDD.

Again, please understand that if you're able to successfully install the OS
you will need to install the necessary drivers as explained above. And, of
course, install all the programs & personal data you desire.

If all goes well you should later install SP2. And still later, SP3. Both of
those SPs are available for downloading from Microsoft.
Anna


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