I want to replace my hard drive in a dell dimensions 4300 pc. The original operating system was Win ME (Dell OEM) with an upgrade to XP Home (Dell OEM). How do I reload the operating system?

haveu formmated your disk & installed an operating system ie Win7/Xp it seems u have not got an operating system.

get a new hard drive ( solid state not a disc drive unit)
install win 7 and it will be alright
use kaspershy anti virus for security and don't listen to your daughter
the hard drive was probably on the way out before you did the download

Well download a disc from here http://www.tipandtrick.net/2008/download-unmodified-original-windows-xp-with-sp3-integrated-full-retail-and-vl-install-cd-iso-image-from-msdntechnet-plus-via-http-or-torrent/ download which ever version came with your computer either home or pro, burn it using a iso burner, and viola' you're good to go on a reinstallation.

Here is the manual information
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim4300/replace.htm#1124764
That shows you how to do the physical hardware change. The operating system may be another story. If the other Dell is the same model, you may not have a lot of trouble, if the model is different, you will most likely have to re-install Windows and all applications

Try this Boot to the BIOS

press ALT+E (single Beep)
ALT+F another beep
ALT+B system will reboot and re-detect drives

once done, you should be able to install XP on HDD

Go on Ebay and purchase a Windows XP OS Disk with OEM number there. Make sure its Original and not someone's copy. I use WIndows XP Professional myself.

You can move it but you have to remember that its going to have different hardware then your dell 4300 so it might require you to install drivers for the hardware that windows XP pro can't recognize. Keep that in mind so as long as you know where to go to get drivers for the hardware in that other machine, it won't be a problem.

Hello,

connect your hard drive to other computer and then have it clean by scanning with antivirus. and then copy the important files on it to the working computer. after copying the files thats the time to return back the original hardrive to the dell dimension and then reformat and reinstall the system again again. please use original operating from dell or what ever is applicable.

mlenavz

You can change the hard drive, but it will create major driver issues.
You will have to let the computer tell you which drivers are missing and go back and download them from the manufacturers website or use the software that you have.
You cannot damage the hdd doing this.

The easy way to do this would be to install this as a secondary hdd, this would allow for more storage and less problems.

You would have to contact dell for the OS disk.

I dont think you can install the hard disk in place of floppy drive. An external Hard disk would be a better option.