My daughter gave me an older Dell Inspiron 5150 and I have two questions;
1- Dell lost class action re melting and there is an agreement to repair these. Do you know how I can initiate it if not to late?
2-Where can I find instructions for reformat and reinstallation?
I thought xp instructions would all be the same but in comparing notes with my desktop 4600 they are a bit different.
Specifically for now, do you know how to: configure the pc so I can display the available boot devices so I can place ide cd-rom at the top. I got as far as hilighting cd\dvd\cd-r -rw\dvd+r +rw. It says to then press enter but nothing happens -what is the way to display the available boot devices?
Thank you

 

For the recall, contact Dell.

For the new installation, insert the installation disk and boot the computer. It should run the CD by default, select new install and format entire drive. Selecting a boot device can be done in the BIOS or at boot time. Pressing DEL at boot time will all you to change the order in which drives are read during the bootstrap process. Pressing F12 or F2 will allow you to make that change otherwise.

Hope this helps.

 

Dell Class Action info:

http://www.lieffcabraser.com/dell-inspiron-2.htm

 

The class action expires April 2 07.
I will again try as you say to reformat and reinstall.
I gather from your note that reformat and install can be done from the xp reinstallation disc.
Thank you