Next question Mariah.

Do you have a Windows 98 CD, or a Dell 'Recovery CD'? There should have been installation disks which accompanied the system when new, and which could be used to restore the system to its originally shipped state.

Also, which model of Dell do you have? Saying you have "a Dell" is sorta like syaing to the Auto spare parts fella "I've got a Ford!" It sounds good but it's bugger all help for identification purposes.

Saying you have a 'Dell Dimension' wouldn't help much more, because that's a product range. But saying you have, for example, a 'Dell Dimension 8100' would identify the model you have there.

If you have a 'Recovery CD' you simply need to pop it in the drive and reboot the system. The installation process should run from CD. If you have a Windows 98 CD, the process is more complex, and there are some preparations to perform first. In both cases you should back up all your data to CD first.


If, on the other hand, that PC was purchased secondhand, had Windows on it when you bought it, and didn't have the CDs with it when sold, you would need to purchase a copy of Windows before you can wipe it and start over.

the model of Dell I have is Dell Dimension L433cx and no I don't have a Windows 98 CD, or a Dell Recovery CD I bought this computer from someone and all they gave me with it was a boot disk...

I think you just answered your first question!

If you can get a copy of the windows 98 cd, Dell should have the drivers for your system on their site.

If you want to put Windows XP on that system, Dell have drivers listed for it as well:

http://support.dell.com/filelib/Devi...PNT_CEL_L___CX

Here is the relevent Windows 98 Download page though:

http://support.dell.com/filelib/Devi...PNT_CEL_L___CX


I'd consider Windows XP to be a better option, and it's easier to get hold of a retail copy of it nowadays!

How do I backed up any of my data on my computer and do I need a certain amount of RAM before i can install XP onto my computer?

Best way to back up your data is to use a CD burner or copy it to another PC across a network. For stand-alone systems, burners are now very cheap to purchase.

Don't forget your Internet 'Favourites', which you back up using 'Import and Export' on the Files menu in Internet Explorer. Also your Mail, for which you'll need to find out the procedures for whichever email program you use.

If it's Outlook Express or MS Outlook, please indicate and I'll give you links to relevent articles.

ok thanxz alot for all the help.

Oh, I forgot!

You really should have 256Mb of RAM for Windows XP. 128Mb is the absolute minimum you should consider having, and more than 256Mb is better.

lol ok thank you