Hey Everyone !!
I'm new here but I hear this is the place to hang out for all the best information.
Well here's my first post.
I just aquired a Dell Dimension 3000 and it's been in a closet for quite awhile.
Well I know that b-4 it gets its update to win xp sp-2 it should have it's BIOS updated RIGHT?
Anyway 3 questions I have.
1. How to find the motherboard manufacturer.
2. How to find the motherboard model.
3. How to find the BIOS manufacturer.

I understand that I would need theses three things in order to get the right BIOS update.
Hope I'm correct in assuming that.
Thx in adv.:cool:

Hello 192837 and welcome to the PC Guide,
Your motherboard specs should be silk screened on the Motherboard itself somewhere, usually in big white letters. That will give you manufacturer and model most times. If you find something that is cryptic then I would google what info you have and see what comes up, I'd google the info anyway to get to the right manufacturer website.
I would not automatically flash your BIOS, that can be very dangerous and render your computer unusable. The only time I do anything with my BIOS is when there is a significant upgrade to the running of the computer. This is a case of "if it ain't broke don't fix it". I have computers from the 80s and 90s that will run XP just fine for what I want.
If you just got the computer and it is older, I'd first of all see if it will boot and then check out what specs. can be seen from device manager so you will have some idea of what you have, go to the Dell site or google the computer make and model itself. Get a general idea of what you are working with. Then if all looks pretty good I'd go ahead and try an XP install.
Make sure before you try a boot that you blow out the inside of the computer with compressed air, if it's been sitting you never know what may be inside so it's a good idea to take a look. Make sure everything is hooked up, all cables and such. Be sure you are grounded when you do this, Electro-Static Discharge can fry a computer.
LG;)

System Information for Windows [SIW] (http://www3.sympatico.ca/gtopala/about_siw.html) is a FREE portable program that can be run within Windows from any device [floppy, Flash Drive, external HDD] that Windows can access.
It will scan your PC and display lots of very useful info about software, hardware, etc.
e.g. See the screenshot below.
.

Wow guy's thanks so much for your help !!!
This is a good start for me.
I really hadn't expected to hear back @ 4:30 in the am.
I thought Only a few of us weary souls kept these hours !!
:D

I'm in Scotland, and it was 9:20 a.m. here at that time.

That's the great thing about people replying from all over planet earth. :D :cool: