Using Dell OEM software to test non dell hardware

Check your copy of Dell OEM XP again. I've had no trouble using it to load up a non-Dell machine, except that it requests a COA, of course. I do not know how Dell distributed ME and whether or not the restore-install medium is somehow restricted to Dell-only.

Loading the OS is one way to test hardware pretty thoroughly. HP is VERY deficient in terms of the software they have available on-line. But at the IBM web site you can download comprehensive diagnostics for whatever model of IBM box you have there. Also you can run memtest-86 and the drive manufacturer's diagnostic tests to exercise the hardware. I invariably do so when I set up a computer with hardware that may be uncertain. The issue with using Windows as as hardware test is hardware failure isolation. So the computer blue screens when installing Windows? Now what? What caused it? ... Ben Myers