Dell reinstallation disk

psivert · 10-30-2003, 04:17 PM

Can anyone tell me how to use my Dell reinstallation disk on my new non Dell computer?
Thanks

Lostman · 10-30-2003, 05:46 PM

You can't.

mikesgroovin · 10-30-2003, 07:25 PM

I am not sure about Dell, however Gateway has the same sort of "compatability check" that it does to make sure that it is a Gateway PC. I have a friend that I walked through this process and he was able to do it.
You need a Windows 98 boot disk or a bootdisk from www.bootdisk.com
Boot with this disk and create a partition using the fdisk program located on the disk. After you create the partition, use the "format c: /s" command to format the disk and make it bootable. After this boot with the disk and choose "Windows 98 with CD-ROM support" (or something like that....key here is CD-ROM support.
After it loads, goto that drive ie, D: or E: (whichever is the CD-ROM drive). You'll know that it's the cd-rom drive because it will have a i386 directory when you type the dir command. Then you want to run an executable on the disk. So let's say that the CD-ROm drive is E:. After booting to the A: drive type:
e: (enter)
cd i386 (enter)
winnt (enter)
When the setup starts, then it will ask you where the install files are located. It will default to "E:\i386". Change the path to just "E:\" and then it should run.
I've done this several times before with other vendor disks.

-Michael

Lostman · 10-31-2003, 11:14 AM

Just keep in mind that anytime you are doing a cross-install (an OEM disk to a different computer) you are just asking for problems.

10-30-2003, 04:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
psivert Newb Techie Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 3	Dell reinstallation disk Can anyone tell me how to use my Dell reinstallation disk on my new non Dell computer? Thanks

10-30-2003, 05:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
Lostman Ultra Techie Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 753	You can't. __________________ www.lostman.us

10-30-2003, 07:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
mikesgroovin honk if you route packets Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 4,206	I am not sure about Dell, however Gateway has the same sort of "compatability check" that it does to make sure that it is a Gateway PC. I have a friend that I walked through this process and he was able to do it. You need a Windows 98 boot disk or a bootdisk from www.bootdisk.com Boot with this disk and create a partition using the fdisk program located on the disk. After you create the partition, use the "format c: /s" command to format the disk and make it bootable. After this boot with the disk and choose "Windows 98 with CD-ROM support" (or something like that....key here is CD-ROM support. After it loads, goto that drive ie, D: or E: (whichever is the CD-ROM drive). You'll know that it's the cd-rom drive because it will have a i386 directory when you type the dir command. Then you want to run an executable on the disk. So let's say that the CD-ROm drive is E:. After booting to the A: drive type: e: (enter) cd i386 (enter) winnt (enter) When the setup starts, then it will ask you where the install files are located. It will default to "E:\i386". Change the path to just "E:\" and then it should run. I've done this several times before with other vendor disks. -Michael __________________ A+, Net+, Sec+, Server+, Linux+, MOUS(2000 & '03), MCSE, MCSA, MCT, CNA, CCNA, CCDA, CCNP, CCSP

10-31-2003, 11:14 AM	#4 (permalink)
Lostman Ultra Techie Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 753	Just keep in mind that anytime you are doing a cross-install (an OEM disk to a different computer) you are just asking for problems. __________________ www.lostman.us

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode