My 2 cents….
Download an ISO Image of Hiren's BootCD, Version 9 or older ( this is more simple to use ) and burn to CD
Check the BIOS as mentioned in the posts above. Make CD/DVD boot BEFORE HDD or use F12 to select boot options and choose boot from CD/DVD.
Reboot into the Hiren's Disc, on screen one, hit enter on the MORE line in options, on the SECOND DOS screen select MBR Tools, on the next screen select option 1
MBR Work 1.04b. Click enter on all options CHANGE NOTHING including swap files and it will open.
When it opens, select option 3, then enter then Y then enter, then select option 4 click Y and then enter, then select option 5 click Y then select number 2 click Y then enter. This makes the HDD read as NEW (RAW) and any data that was once on it is unrecoverable. This method is like a level 9 DOD wipe, and any previous data on it is gone forever, i have tried this many times, and NO DATA RECOVERY SOFTWARE available has ever found anything on any HDD i have wiped this way, so you should have no trouble installing anything new.
Click E to exit MBRWork the screen will come up to R:// with a blinking cursor.
Remove the Hiren's disc from the CD/DVD drive, and replace it with your Windows,Ubuntu or other O/S disc.
Type reboot and it should start into the install of the O/S you have chosen, then just follow the prompts to install your new system.
Overall this is not a bad PC, would be fine for most user's not into games
Specs :
Processor
Processor type Athlon 64 X2 4400+
Processor speed 2300.0 MHz
Memory
Memory size 3072.0 MB
Display
Included monitor No
Graphics
Primary Graphics Chipset Nvidia GeForce 6150SE
Video Bus Integrated
Video Memory Type Using main memory
Storage
Raid type none
Drive size 320.0 GB
Expansion slots
Open PCI Express X16 Slots 2.0
Open PCI Express X1 Slots 1.0
Number of PCI slots 3.0
Number of PCI-Express Slots 1.0
Green
Energy Star compliant 0.0
Optical Drive
Optical Drive Type DVD±RW
Included Software
Operating System Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (32 bit)
Ports and Connections
Ethernet Type Ethernet (10/100 Mbps)
Available Interfaces
USB - Universal Serial Bus (rear) (x4)
USB - Universal Serial Bus (front) (x2)
Slots 3
Parallel Port No
Case
Chassis style Tower (Mini)
Internal Drive Bays 2
External Drive Bays 3
As a general use, or student PC this would be fine. Would make an excellent Office PC as was wanted aswell.
Drivers for Windows are here :
http://support.gateway.com/us/en/emac/product/default.aspx?modelId=1299
I would install Vista Ultimate as the O/S, to make use of the shared memory and easier security control. If you need a copy let me know by PM.