I've been having a problem with my Dell Dimension 8100. It seems like no matter what I try, I cannot get the display driver to install. My video card is a nVidia GeoForce 2 GTS. I've tried using 3 different compatible drivers, one from Dell's website, one from my resource CD, and the unified driver on NVIDIA's website, but no luck. Everytime I try to install the driver, the computer reboots, and it will start to load windows, but the icons and taskbar only appear momentarily, then disappear, leaving just the Windows background. Further attempts to reboot yield the "Sytem Halted" error, or an error saying that I need to reinstall Windows ME. So I have to reboot in safe mode and remove the driver for everything to go back to normal. Well, it did every time except for last time, when it corrupted all of my Windows files and I had to reformat again. No anti-virus is on the computer either. I've also tried reseating the display adapter. I'm having to reinstall in the first place because the old hard drive in the computer went bad, and Dell had to send a technician to replace it.

Just so that nobody tells me to try this, I have already posted my problem at the Dell forum, and contacted tech support. Both stop replying after a while. ( I been at it trying to fix this computer for nearly 4 months now.)

What Video card are you running now ? Is it "Onboard" ?
Or was it included with the system ?
Onboard video always should be disabled before adding another type..
If it is Onboard, you will need to Boot into BIOS - Usually the Del or F1 Key,
You should get some kind of prompt on the screen for "setup"..
Go into Integrated features section and Disable the Onboard video, then save all changes and exit.. Then Reboot..
If it is Onboard the system is prob. having some conflicts..usually with extra components...Or Using the same IRQ address...
Typically with prioritized storebought computers..
You mentioned Windows ME ? - Windows ME is a mistake in the first place..
It was very unstable. That is why it disappeared so fast..
What speed processor and how old is that system ?
Depending on that, it may not be compatible at all..
Otherwise, Take it back apart, Install the video to another PCI Slot..
If that card is PCI, (I forget) - The slots assign IRQ's, which may be conflicting..Usually relocating solves this..My System can only use my Video capture card in the very last Slot #5..
If it is AGP Go back into the BIOS and check all the settings, Look for
"Use First" - AGP/PCI/Onboard..etc.. And Select accordingly..
If all this still does not work..I would suggest an upgrade, or Windows XP..
XP will load almost any component it has an extensive driver list..
Stay with the True NVidia drivers..
Good Luck..