Restting Old PC?

Hi guys,
I just found my old PC (Dell OptiPlex GX150) and I'm considering just using it to store music and play poker on. I dont have microsoft office on it, but I think it would probably be better to just reset the whole thing.

A) How do I do this?
Is there anything I should look out for?

I had a look through the forum and couldn't see anything to help me. I'm an absolute moron tho when it comes to computers

AlmightyCushion

Do you have the windows disks that came with it? If so, just put that in the dvd drive and re-start the computer.

When the computer starts up you need to go into the bios (this usually requires you to tap a button while the computer is starting up). Change the boot order so that cd/dvd drive is first. Then save and exit.

The computer will boot from the cd. Delete the existing partition, then create a new partition and format it (Don't worry it will tell you how to do all these things). This will install windows when it's done. Then it will reboot, install all the drivers and anything else you want.

Edit: I found a guide, follow it instead. It explains things a lot better.

No, I bought it 2cd hand when a mates office was having a clear out. All it had on it originally was windows 2000. No disc.

That site says I need the disc too. If I do this will I need to buy windows 2000 again?

AlmightyCushion

You should have a perfectly legal license for windows so you shouldn't need to buy it again. Look around for the license key, it will probably be on a green sticker some where on the laptop. If you find it then all you need to do is get your hands on a windows 2000 disk (might be easier said than done). It will need to be the same version e.g. if your license is for windows 2000 professional, you'd need a windows 2000 professional disk.

Yeah its windows 2000 professional. On the hunt I go so. I have that license key anyway

trout

Optiplex GX150 == very old desktop, maybe 6/7 years old.
It probably has a small hard drive, which limits your music storage, and quite basic graphics which may limit your poker sessions.

The Win2K licence key should be on the right hand side of the PC, on a green/white sticker about the size of a sticky plaster (band-aid).

It may be very hard to find a Win2K install CD
It may also be hard to find Win2K versions of the software you want to run. stuff like anti-virus, anti-spyware etc. Maybe even your poker client.

Are you sure you want to go to the trouble of wiping & re-installing a machine this old ? If it boots up at all, just clear down what-ever data & applications are on it manually ... this might be easier.

Maybe this is a good time to buy a computer-savvy friend a few pints ?
Or else, you could look at it as a learning exercise, but be prepared for some effort.

Best of luck

Lazarus2.0

Where in Dublin are you , Papa Smut ? I got a 2kPro CD here somewhere ...

sheesh

I was gonna suggest some version of linux but its a laptop and might be hellish to configure it although that kind of stuff has gotten alot easier It would be handy for surfing the web. something to consider.

trout

If it's an Optiplex, it's either a small-factor desktop, or midi-tower, depending on the model.
I don't think there was ever a Dell Laptop branded as Optiplex.

OP ... can you see a Dell Service Tag anywhere on this machine ?
If you do ... try running that service tag through the Dell Support site ... see what it tells you. Might even have the original config available online.

Hey guys thanks for all your help so far.

@ nessie. I live in Bray but always in the city centre

@ Trout

The original config according to the servive tag is
{OPTIPLEX GX150 SMT}PIII 1.0GHZ/256K, IN
{IRISH - }SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION (IRISH)
128MB SDRAM MEMORY, (1X128MB)
3.5IN 1.44MB FLOPPY DRIVE
20GB IDE (5, 400RPM) HARD DRIVE
48X CD-ROM DRIVE
{UK/IRELAND - }15IN FLAT PANEL MIDNIGHT
32MB ATI RAGE 128 ULTRA GRAPHICS CARD
{UK/IRELAND - }HARMAN KARDON 395 MIDNIGH
MICROSOFT MIDNIGHT GREY PS/2 INTELLIMOUS
UK/IRISH(QWERTY) - DELL PS/2 ENTRY MIDNI
{ENGLISH - }MICROSOFT WINDOWS 2000, SP2
{ENGLISH - }MICROSOFT WINDOWS 2000, SP2

So, I was planning on taking everything I don't need off, putting on 15 gigs of music and about 6 poker clients. Firefox and maybe open source word.

Oh and it's 6 years old

getting the Win2000 Pro CD off of nessyguin tomoorow. Thanks for that again!