Complete Windows ME Dell laptop overhaul

[Msbsgblue]

Here is the deal: My secondary computer Dell Inspiron 4000 has major problems, won't system restore, checking msconfig. doesn't work, getting a lot of dll errors. Not in safe mode but an error of somekind occured that has left everything large on the computer making it impossible to install and paly games. Have tried everything, so now someting else has to be done.

WHAT I WANT TO DO IS: Either completely un-install and re-install Windows ME or un-install and Install my Windows Xp to the system.

PROBLEM: I know you mean well when telling me to go to the Microsoft pages telling how to do this, but I CANNOT UNDERSTAND FORMATTING. I read it but since I am a novice, I do not understand what I am rading.

QUESTION: Is the Windows Xp that goes on my desktop compatible for putting on laptop? Regardless of wether I install ME again or XP should I uninstall what is on the laptop now? If so, HOW DO I DO THAT?

I know a lot of you build computers so I am sure someone on here can help if you would please.

Thank you for your undertanding and patience.

Shirrell

MY PREFERENCE would be to put Xp on it, but again I do not understand formatting.

IS FORMATTING NECESSARY?

If I begin and get stuck can I come her and ask what I need to do on step so-and-so?

[Cliffh]

What part of formatting don't you understand - what it does or how to do it?

Is the Windows Xp that goes on my desktop compatible for putting on laptop?

It should work, but, you might want to find out if it's allowable per the End User License Agreement (EULA). Most products you pay for only allow installation on one computer for each copy you purchase. For example, if you want to install WinXP on two computers, you buy two copies of Windows. You'd also have to make sure that the WinXP drivers are available for all of the hardware components in the laptop - Windows may not have drivers for everything.

IS FORMATTING NECESSARY?

That's your call. When upgrading the operating system (OS), it's usually recommended that you do format. Any problems that the current OS has might be carried over during the upgrade.

Have you considered using the Restore disk(s) that came with the laptop to format and reinstall?

[Msbsgblue]

I don't know what they mean when they tell me I need to partition and format even in I just completely re-install the Windows ME that is already on there.

[Cliffh]

Since the drive already has Windows on it, it's partitioned and you don't have to worry about that part.

Formating wipes out everything on the drive.

If you format, you start with a fresh copy of Windows. You'll have to reinstall all drivers and programs. Although, if you're using a Restore disk all of the drivers should be reinstalled for you - you should end up with Windows configured just as it was when the computer left the factory.

If you just reinstall Windows over-top of the existing Windows (over-install Windows), you might fix the Windows problems - then again, you might not.

Over-installing Windows will not fix or get rid of virus' or spyware. With a very few exceptions, formating will get rid of virus' and spyware.

You can't uninstall Windows ME, it doesn't work that way. The only time there is an uninstall option for Windows is if you've done an over-install of Windows; and uninstalling Windows simply takes you back to the previous version of Windows - if the uninstall works correctly. Some times you end up with a total mess after using the uninstall option. Then you end up formating the drive to get rid of everything.

You can get a fresh install of Windows ME by:

a) Deleting the existing Windows directory

or

b) Formating the hard drive.

Using option a) you'll still have all the other data left on the hard drive, but the drivers and programs will have to be reinstalled.

Using option b) everything will be gone.

[Msbsgblue]

How do I just delete the existing directory? Where and what is it?

[markp62]

A good reason msconfig, or system restore will not work is because your computer is infected with a virus, and it disabled these items for you.
To delete the windows directory, or format the drive, you will need a bootdisk.
Go to Bootdisk's (http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm) and download the file for Windows ME OEM. Do not copy this file to a floppy and expect it to work, it won't. Put a floppy into the drive, and double click the file. The bootdisk will be made for you.
Put the floppy into the drive, and select with CD rom support when the option appears. Watch the screen, you will get a message about what letter your CD drive will be, it will not be the normal letter. It may be E, F, or could be R.
You may need to know this if you have a Microsoft ME CD. This message will be just above the A:\>.
When you see A:\> appear, use one of these commands, the first will format, the second set will delete the system restore folder and the windows directory (folder). Your choice.
format c:
You can see it is not hard to format.

deltree c:\_restore
deltree c:\windows
Type a Y that you want to delete. The reason to delete the c:\_restore is that a virus will be there, and it isn't working for you anyway, and needs to be cleared out.

When done, insert the CD, and type this command, use the CD letter off of the screen in place of the X below.
X:\setup
I do believe the setup.exe exists at the root of that CD. Have the Product Key ready, you will need this to install windows. The Product Key consists of a bunch of letters and numbers, located on the back of the package the CD is in. It is not printed on the CD.