Reformatting problem
 

Computer is really out of date and essentially a paperweight but I was thinking of reformatting it so I could use it for some random things. But here comes in the problem, the pc doesn't read the Windows ME disc at all. It already has a problem with startup because I can't get passed the Dell screen (that might have solved this problem... never should have gotten a Dell) without me entering BIOS and then exiting. And on top of that I can't even run normal mode. I have to manually enter Safe mode just to run the computer. So I'm really just stumped. I was thinking about calling Dell but its just going to take way to long and probably get nothing done.

Try and turn off your Splash screen in the bios, if Dell allows this. This will allow you to see the post and then you should be able to see where its freezing at. As for the CD problem, try and burn another copy of the ME CD on another computer and see if the freshly burned one works. Sometimes older CD-roms wont read scratched CDs as well as newer ones, so this could solve the problem with the CD not being read. Also if you have another CDRom you could try, that would be another way you can do it.

If none of this works you can try and download a Linux Live CD and see if you can do anyhting with it. That is if you are willing to try Linux. This CD doesnt install anything on your HDD, but still boots into a usable OS, initially a prompt but can go into a gui interface. The CD comes with troubleshooting software for many different OS's donno if ME is included tho. Best thing about it is that its free ;) just a simple 700mb dowload from www.knoppix.org

Hope you get it to work

Is the ME CD bootable? If it's not a bootable OS CD, then it all gets more complicated. Make sure to have the CD as the first boot in BIOS. If none of that helps, I'd say the CD is fucked.

-Lasereth

Don't know about the BIOS problem, but you said you can only get the computer up in safe mode, and that it's not reading the Me CD. Safe mode doesn't load CD-ROM drivers. Do you mean it's not booting off the CD? If that's the case, go to bootdisk.com, and make a bootable floppy with CD-ROM drivers and get to the CD that way.

Hope that helps.

Itchy93

98 and higher are bootable

if all you can do is boot in safe mode thats prety bad, i would recomend geting any important files off it.

then format and reenstal a good OS 2000 or 98

ME is the retarded bastard child of 98 and 2000, it should be take out and shot.

and im prety sure that safe mode does load the cd drivers.