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    mommyoftwins200's Avatar
    mommyoftwins200 Posts: 62, Reputation: 2
    Junior Member
    		  
    #1

    Nov 10, 2008, 04:22 PM
    Reformatting a computer
    I have an old Dell computer probably older then 04', I am looking to reformat it from when I took it out of the box. I know its like ALT & 4 when you start it up or something. Nothing seems to be working. Help.
    larryregas's Avatar
    larryregas Posts: 11, Reputation: 2
    New Member
    		  
    #2

    Nov 10, 2008, 05:40 PM
    Assuming that you still have the operating system disk like xp or windows 2000.

    Place the cd in the computer and turn it on or restart it. It should boot the computer into the install menu automatically if the bios has the bott sequence pointing to the cdrom drive before the hard drive.

    If it doesn't boot straight into the install then you need to enter the bios settings and changing the boot sequence.

    Pay attention to the text in DOS for the correct button to press to enter the bios settings. Customarily it is F1 or F2 or some times delete.

    Change the boot sequence so it looks to the cd rom before the hardrive and then save the settings. Then reboot.



    WHEN you get into the install menus just follow the prompt to reinstall. It will ask you if you would like to keep the file structure or if you want to reformat. Just select the reformat.

    After you reformat if there are any drivers you are missing go to Dell's website under the support->drivers section and enter the service code on the back or bottom of your PC and it will show you all of the hardare and drivers that came with your computer. You can download them. I hope this Post helps ;)


    Larry
    seahwk83's Avatar
    seahwk83 Posts: 3,276, Reputation: 212
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #3

    Nov 10, 2008, 11:41 PM

    As mentioned, do you have the original disks that came with the computer?

    What computer model do you have? Do you have the model # of the Dell?
    mommyoftwins200's Avatar
    mommyoftwins200 Posts: 62, Reputation: 2
    Junior Member
    		  
    #4

    Nov 11, 2008, 09:39 AM

    I don't have the disk, no idea what happened to it. It got lost when we moved the computer. I am not sure what model it is.
    ScottGem's Avatar
    ScottGem Posts: 64,966, Reputation: 6056
    Computer Expert and Renaissance Man
    		  
    #5

    Nov 11, 2008, 09:49 AM

    The model is listed on the tower case.

    Also listed should be a serial number. You can contact Dell for instructions on doing a system recovery.
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