I have a Dell Dimension 4100. I recently succesfully upgraded my virus protection to McCafee 2006. After which the startup sequence ran but was slow. Today (2 days later)I reinstalled my Lexmark printer driver software and when I now try to re-boot the system freezes right after it performs a scan disk process. I can use Cntrl/Alt/Del to shut down no responding programs but I can never get teh system to fully reboot

Try uninstalling the McAfee and see if all is well again.

I thought about that but the PC freezes up before I can get access to any of the commands i.e. wallpaper only no icons. I tried to startup in safe mode but this froze as well. and teh PC is not recognizing my aftermarket CD drive as a boot drive.

Have you tried a windows me boot disk?

I am encountering similar issues with a Dell Dimension 4100, for one of my clients. I have eliminated many of the technical possibilities and I am down to the last resort, which will be re-installing the OS (Operating System) once again from scratch. It will not be the first time following this procedure, but it will be the last one. If the problems still persist after that action, it will only determine that Dell did sell a configuration which was not study enough, before putting it out in the market. If you are a consumer, which I know all of you are, I suggest you joint our AAAIE (American Alliance Against Irresponsible Entities). This will be the only way something can be done, let us all come together and face a judge, to form a solid case. This way the passive legal system of USA will not throw off the case and think it's a single isolated issue. It is the only way for us to make this possible and to teach the irresponsible entities to respect the rights of us consumers.