I purchased a Dell Dimension 4500 with factory installed 2003 XP
Professional; and it came with the Operating System Reinstallation CD; except
when I tried to use it to start over for start fresh (after too much software
loaded and then deleted; registry problems; and the like) - it gave me the
message that my computer had a later or upgraded version. If I can't get the
right Reinstallation CD - (who would I contact for this?) I don't remember
getting the upgrade. How do I go about deleting the upgrade to find the
version the one that the Reinstallation CD would work on?

What am I missing here?
--
jkg

The information is on the Dell web. I have a Dimension 4400 and reinstall is
explained here:
http://support.dell.com/support/topi...7E3&l=en&s=gen.

Frank

"Jk Gregory" <JkGregory@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:92122C67-1045-4A0E-A124-7807FF2B595F@microsoft.com...
>I purchased a Dell Dimension 4500 with factory installed 2003 XP
> Professional; and it came with the Operating System Reinstallation CD;
> except
> when I tried to use it to start over for start fresh (after too much
> software
> loaded and then deleted; registry problems; and the like) - it gave me the
> message that my computer had a later or upgraded version. If I can't get
> the
> right Reinstallation CD - (who would I contact for this?) I don't remember
> getting the upgrade. How do I go about deleting the upgrade to find the
> version the one that the Reinstallation CD would work on?
>
> What am I missing here?
> --
> jkg

On Sat, 17 Oct 2009 15:25:01 -0700, Jk Gregory
<JkGregory@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

> I purchased a Dell Dimension 4500 with factory installed 2003 XP
> Professional; and it came with the Operating System Reinstallation CD; except
> when I tried to use it to start over for start fresh (after too much software
> loaded and then deleted; registry problems; and the like) - it gave me the
> message that my computer had a later or upgraded version. If I can't get the
> right Reinstallation CD - (who would I contact for this?) I don't remember
> getting the upgrade. How do I go about deleting the upgrade to find the
> version the one that the Reinstallation CD would work on?
>
> What am I missing here?


What you are missing is that you are doing the reinstallation
completely wrong. You want to do a clean reinstallation, and when you
do it correctly it doesn't matter what is on the drive (or even
whether anything is on the drive). The installation done correctly
will begin by formatting the drive.

To do the installation correctly, you need to boot from the CD drive.
Go into the BIOS setup and make sure the CD is first in the boot
order.

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

Jk Gregory wrote:
> I purchased a Dell Dimension 4500 with factory installed 2003 XP
> Professional; and it came with the Operating System Reinstallation
> CD; except when I tried to use it to start over for start fresh
> (after too much software loaded and then deleted; registry problems;
> and the like) - it gave me the message that my computer had a later
> or upgraded version. If I can't get the right Reinstallation CD -
> (who would I contact for this?) I don't remember getting the upgrade.
> How do I go about deleting the upgrade to find the version the one
> that the Reinstallation CD would work on?
>
> What am I missing here?

What exactly do you want to do? Do you want to perform a Repair Install
or do you truly want to "start fresh" and perform a Clean Install? If
the latter, keep in mind that a Clean Install will wipe *everything* off
your hard drive, so you would need to make sure *all* your important
data (including e-mails and browser favorites) is backed up first. The
answer to your question hinges upon what you intend to do.

Also keep in mind that a reinstall of Windows is rarely needed! Instead,
perhaps you would like to give us complete details and we can offer a
far less drastic solution to you particular problem?

Either way, we will be happy to help.

"Jk Gregory" wrote:

> I purchased a Dell Dimension 4500 with factory installed 2003 XP
> Professional; and it came with the Operating System Reinstallation CD; except
> when I tried to use it to start over for start fresh (after too much software
> loaded and then deleted; registry problems; and the like) - it gave me the
> message that my computer had a later or upgraded version. If I can't get the
> right Reinstallation CD - (who would I contact for this?) I don't remember
> getting the upgrade. How do I go about deleting the upgrade to find the
> version the one that the Reinstallation CD would work on?
>
> What am I missing here?
> --
> jkg

Try setting the BIOS to boot from CD and then "press any key to boot from
CD" when prompted. You can't do a clean install from within Windows.

You just need to create a new XP CD with SP3 added via Slipstreaming.


TUTORIALS:

Slipstreamed Windows XP CD Using SP3 Final
http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstre...3_cd_final.htm

Slipstreaming Windows XP with Service Pack 3
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase...slipstream.asp

Create a Slip Stream version of Windows XP
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/slipstream.htm


FILES:

WinXP SP3 Installation Package 316MB
Web: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en
Download: http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...P3-x86-ENU.exe

WinXP SP3 ISO CD Image File 545MB
Web: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en
Download:
http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...86fre_spcd.iso

The SP3 CD by mail
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pro...3/default.mspx
Look below for the "Order the Windows XP SP3 CD" drop box
that says, "Please select your preferred language". Just
select a language and click "Go" to begin the download.

XP ISO Builder 1.45 MB (Freeware)
http://winfuture.de/xpisobuilder3_en

AutoStreamer 844 KB (Freeware)
http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=223562
Alternate Download Link:
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/S...streamer.shtml


INFORMATION:

WinXP SP3 Information
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/w.../bb794714.aspx

Information about Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936929

Steps to take before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717


ju.c


"Jk Gregory" <JkGregory@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:92122C67-1045-4A0E-A124-7807FF2B595F@microsoft.com...
> I purchased a Dell Dimension 4500 with factory installed 2003 XP
> Professional; and it came with the Operating System Reinstallation CD; except
> when I tried to use it to start over for start fresh (after too much software
> loaded and then deleted; registry problems; and the like) - it gave me the
> message that my computer had a later or upgraded version. If I can't get the
> right Reinstallation CD - (who would I contact for this?) I don't remember
> getting the upgrade. How do I go about deleting the upgrade to find the
> version the one that the Reinstallation CD would work on?
>
> What am I missing here?
> --
> jkg

On Sat, 17 Oct 2009 21:44:42 -0700, "ju.c"
<bibidybubidyboop@mailinator.com> wrote:

> You just need to create a new XP CD with SP3 added via Slipstreaming.


Sorry, that's not correct. That's pertinent to some situations, but
not his. Please read the reply I sent earlier in this thread.




> "Jk Gregory" <JkGregory@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:92122C67-1045-4A0E-A124-7807FF2B595F@microsoft.com...
> > I purchased a Dell Dimension 4500 with factory installed 2003 XP
> > Professional; and it came with the Operating System Reinstallation CD; except
> > when I tried to use it to start over for start fresh (after too much software
> > loaded and then deleted; registry problems; and the like) - it gave me the
> > message that my computer had a later or upgraded version. If I can't get the
> > right Reinstallation CD - (who would I contact for this?) I don't remember
> > getting the upgrade. How do I go about deleting the upgrade to find the
> > version the one that the Reinstallation CD would work on?
> >
> > What am I missing here?
> > --
> > jkg

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003
Please Reply to the Newsgroup