[Help] Getting Old PC into Boot Mode

[sethoramma4]

Hi, since i have been learning new stuff about OS's and computers i have become interested in trying to restore an old computer i have.

The computer crashed twice, the first time we had a partition of old and new OS, the second time we did a clean install.
Then it crashed again and i think my dad gave up.
Currently it is just sitting, but i would like to mess with it to get it working. Im not sure how it boots, but is it always possible to get it into boot mode? I was thinking i would format the harddrive and then start it in its bootmode and use some discs i have to install windows XP back on it.

It is a Dell Dimension 8200, 1.8 ghz intel pentium 4 processor, ummm 256 or 512 mb ram, only a 40gb harddrive.
I figure if its collecting dust i might as well try something. Any advice or knowledge on getting it formatted and booting the disc?
thanks

[Hitchhiker]

u can format through the xp cd

[sethoramma4]

so when its all set up, i turn it on and put the cd in?
will it automatically recognize the cd or do i hit the "F #" key to select boot mode and boot from the cd?
i saw that on the osx86 wiki, that they got 10.4.8 working on a very similar build dell so im gonna try that first.

[Hitchhiker]

I don't think it matters what kind of PC u have (as long as it is a desktop and not a laptop)
all u need to do is to set it to boot from cd
then when turn it on you'll see:"to boot from cd press any key" then press any key and the windows xp setup will start

hope I helped...

[sethoramma4]

thanks dude. at the moment i am downloading osx86 tiger, and that will take a while, but i figure i'd try tiger first, then if that doesnt work ill try XP.

I think by sunday i will have the old computer all out and hooked up and will try it. ill let u know if it works. if it does work, then i will probably upgrade the memory and buy an external hard-drive cuz then it becomes my own computer. ..... so i definitely hope it works!

[iPodLoser]

try linux

[sethoramma4]

maybe ill look into it.
is linux good?
i really wanna get a mac in the future so i figure trying this would be good for me to learn stuff about them.

[Hitchhiker]

good luck with that I hope it will work
let me know how it ends up...

[dajavax]

well.. linux would be the best if it was able to run every windows program without having difficulties... at the moment i recommend windows.... ummm i would normally say vista... but for that old computer install xp... a linux live cd will work without harddrive ... i use that in an old computer i have (when i use it, mostly never)... the hardrive somehow is not recognized anymore in it... ohhh and... i don't see a point in installing os x... if you don't care to not have windows programs... linux is the best... if not... windows :p... but well maybe the best thing is to install the OS it was made for... windows xp... when u get a mac then have os x haha (of course with boot camp)

[sethoramma4]

yeah my plan is to try mac first, because i wanna learn the OS. and if it works i might upgrade some stuff on it, cuz the comp can accept up to 2gb RAM, and my uncle could install it for me.
the other thing is that because it isnt necessarily a great computer, and it has been just sitting in my attic, its not a problem if anything gets screwed up, so id like to experiment with it