Installing OEM XP on DELL 2000 HD

I currently own a DELL Dimension 4300 Desktop which is running on Windows 2000 currently. They do not offer DELL Boot CDs anymore.
I have an OEM Windows XP CD I'd like to install on the HardDrive but it will not allow me to, how do I remove the "stop" that is currently on the HD that will allow me to install XP on it?
(It is possible, DELL has admitted that, but wants to charge me $50 an hour to explain how)

Or maybe where I can download a copy of the DELL Dimension 4300 Windows 2000 bootdisk.

Please help!

 

What happens when you try to boot the XP cd? however you probably won't be able to use the OEM key and activate windows.

 

It gives me an error when I try to boot it as I hit a key, it will not allow me to get to the partition list.
The files are corrupt, I cannot boot into Windows and use the command prompt either.

 

What are the specs of the pc

 

I haven't really even opened it and looked, I'll go take a peek and reply shortly.

 

I found it had two harddrives. One was a Seagate Baracuda, the other a Quantum Fireball. One has the OS on it, the other I assume the protection program.
The one with the OS, I plugged into my PC and tried to install XP and it gave me the error "INF file txtsetup.sif is corrupt or missing, status 4096."

 

Still nothing, anyone have any advice?

 

Couldn't find any definitive information on whether the Dell came with a restore partition or not. I'm not sure what your boot options are set at, but most newer Dells aren't set to boot from CDROM first and this must be changed in the BIOS. Here is a link to your model and the BIOS options, http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/SYSTEMS/dim4300/syssetup.htm#1097056. After setting the computer to boot from CDROM first, save and exit the setup program.

Only problem that I can see to installing XP on this system would be a lack of memory installed, as XP has a minimum amout of 128 megs to install, and your system was running Win 2000 which will install and run with 64 megs, so that is something to check on. According to the spec sheet for your computer, the motherboard will support 512 megs max, so XP should install and run if adequate memory is present, although it won't be at blazing speed.

Hope this helps!

 

Looking around I think it's a generic driver issue.

 

I installed Xp on a 4300 a while back WITH a copy of my XP that cam with my Inspiron laptop! ANY DELL OEM DISK will install on ANY DELL COMPUTER reguardless of make/model! I had a old dell 7000 laptop that had 98se installed and it took XP without any COA problems of hardware probs. You may have to check the bios to make sure it will boot from the CD. Some won't!