@rdunnilI
I thought they were offering an upgrade to Windows 8 for around $39, or has that offer now passed. Still, Windows 8 needs a CPU with PAE, NX , as well as SSE2 instruction sets and at least 1gB, lets face it 2gB RAM. This Dimension 3100 has a 3.0GHz P4 (MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, EM64T) and only 512MB RAM.
Why would I need a retail version XP if I have this OEM XP 'recovery' CD? Although I'm still not sure (unless I try it) if it's going to require product re-activation and whether the existing ID and 'CD' keys that Key Finder dug out are valid.
@SpeedStep
No, I've not done anything yet, or given up on the PC Restore. It got to 1.30am and I thought it best to sleep-on it, rather than doing anything rash.
You mention an 8gB 'hidden' partition. As I mentioned in my first post the Unknown (FAT32) partition I'm referring to is 3gB size of which 1.79gB is occupied.
Guess I need to get my head into these 'repair' DSR possibilities. Thought it was going to be straightforward, as my wife also complained this morning.
I might add also, no hardware, other than a printer and, for a couple of months, a Wireless G PCI adapter, has been added or changed. The 80gB hard drive is the original. No RAM upgrades or anything.
Cheers.