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From: Diane on 6 Apr 2010 11:39
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.
From: Peter Foldes on 6 Apr 2010 12:16
Diane

The Bios is a complete different thing. You do not need to touch it. To reformat
your system to a clean install do the following after saving all necessary data and
files unto a CD\DVD
First slipstream you SP3 into your XP Sp2 disk.
Instructions on how to do this is below
http://apcmag.com/how_to_create_a_bootable_xp_sp3_cd.htm?page=1


Next when done with the above insert the XP SP3 CD into your computer and shut it
off with the CD in there. Then when you open the computer it will give you the
options and one of them being to reformat and to install the CD. You select it and
let the computer reformat and install the XP SP3.When done remove the CD
Next when it finished installing you go Windows or Microsoft Update and install all
the available Updates. When done install your Anti Virus or Security based programs.
After that you can start to install all your programs back unto your computer
--
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: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.

From: LVTravel on 6 Apr 2010 12:51


"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.

There is no "debug" in the bios.

Read Peter's post first.

Now that you are back, The Dell Dimension 8100 which originally came with
Windows ME and was upgraded to XP Home with an install disk provided by Dell
probably has an XP Upgrade disk and not a retail disk. When I got my Dell
8100 XP Home upgrade disk to upgrade ME it was just that, an Upgrade disk.
(You should have also received a driver disk.) If your XP disk says it is an
upgrade on the label you will also need the original ME disk when installing
from scratch. By default Dell shipped the 8100 with the bios set to boot
first from the CD drive then the hard drive. If this has not been changed
you do not have to anything to start the rebuild process but follow Peter's
instructions. When the installation program asks for the upgrade qualifying
operating system simply remove the XP installation disk, put in the ME disk
and accept the response. It will then tell you to remove the ME disk and
insert the XP disk again to complete the install.

If the computer will not boot from the XP CD and boots from the hard drive
you may need to enter the bios to change the boot order. Pressing the F2
key immediately when it prompts for it will start the bios system setup.
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dsleest/syssetup.htm is the
support manual for your computer.

From: db on 6 Apr 2010 13:00
you may have a splash
screen set up that hides
the bios testing at startup.

however if you need/want
to do a clean install,

then it is likely you have
to enter the bios to set
up the cd/dvd drive as
the primary boot device.

if the above is what you
are seeking then,

you might try holding down
the f2 key immediately after
powering up the pc.

if you enter the bios then
set your cd/dvd drive as
primary boot device,

then look around for that
splash screen setting and
disable it.

click to save and exit the
bios.

if the f2 key doesn't work
then consult the dell
website or your computer
manual on how to enter
the bios at power up.

perhaps, you may have to
hold down the del key instead
of the f2 key.

incidentally, I would also
check with the dell website
for your model.

you may not have to use
a xp cd for a clean install
if you computer is capable
of initiating a "factory
restore"

the above could mean that
you have a hidden partition
on the hard drive containing
the setup files to restore your
machine back to its factory
state.


--
db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- @Hotmail.com
- nntp Postologist
~ "share the nirvana" - dbZen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>
>

"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.

From: Ken Blake, MVP on 6 Apr 2010 16:02
On Tue, 6 Apr 2010 08:39:01 -0700, Diane
<Diane(a)discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

> 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.


No. It is not any part of Windows. How to get into your BIOS depends,
not on Windows, but on what motherboard/BIOS you have. As a matter of
fact, you have to access the BIOS before Windows even starts to boot.
One common way is to press the Del key when you first power on, but
that's not necessarily right for your computer. Watch the screen
carefully when you first boot; there's often a message there telling
you what to do. If not, check your system documentation or check with
your vendor.

Also look here: http://michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm
Or just try the Del key. There's a good chance that's correct for you.

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003
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