Dell Dimension 4300 Reinstalling Windows XP, Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State

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2.Click Create a restore point.

3.Click Next.

4.Type a name for your new restore point in the Restore point description field.

The present date and time are automatically added to your restore point.

5.Click Create (click Next in Windows Me).

6.Click OK (click Close in Windows Me).

Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State

If problems occur after installing a device driver, first try using Device Driver Rollback. If that is unsuccessful, then use System Restore.

NOTICE: Before restoring the computer to an earlier time, save and close all open files and close all open programs. Do not alter, open, or delete any files or programs until the system restoration is complete.

1.Click the Start button, point to All Programs (Programs in

Windows Me)—>Accessories—>System Tools, and then click System Restore.

2.Be sure Restore my computer to an earlier time is selected, and then click Next.

3.Click a calendar date to which you want to restore your computer.

The Select a Restore Point (Choose a Restore Point in Windows Me) screen provides a calendar that allows you to see and select restore points. All calendar dates with available restore points appear in bold.

4.Select a restore point, and then click Next.

If a calendar date has only one restore point, then that restore point is automatically selected. If two or more restore points are available, click the restore point that you want to use.

NOTICE: Save and close all open files and close all open programs. Do not alter, open, or delete any files or programs until the system restoration is complete.

5.Click Next (click OK in Windows Me).

The Restoration Complete screen appears (the Restoration in Progress screen in Windows Me) after System Restore completes collecting data, and then the computer automatically restarts.

6.After the computer restarts, click OK.

To change the restore point, you can either repeat the steps using a different restore point, or you can undo the restoration.

Undoing the Last System Restore

NOTICE: Before undoing the last system restore, save and close all open files and close all open programs. Do not alter, open, or delete any files or programs until the system restoration is complete.

1.Click the Start button, point to All Programs (Programs in Windows Me)—> Accessories—> System Tools, and then click System Restore.

2.Select Undo my last restoration and click Next.

NOTICE: Save and close all open files and close all open programs. Do not alter, open, or delete any files or programs until the system restoration is complete.

3.Click Next (click OK in Windows Me).

4.The System Restore (Undoing Last Restoration in Windows Me) screen appears, and then the computer automatically restarts.

5.After the computer restarts, click OK.

Reinstalling Windows XP

Before reinstalling the Windows XP operating system to correct a problem, try correcting the problem by performing a Windows XP System Restore.

NOTICE: The Operating System CD provides options for reinstalling your Windows XP operating system. The options can potentially overwrite files installed by Dell and possibly affect programs installed on your hard drive. Therefore, Dell does not recommend that you reinstall your operating system unless instructed to do so by a Dell technical support representative.

NOTICE: To prevent conflicts with Windows XP, you must disable any virus protection software installed on your computer before you reinstall Windows XP.

1.Insert the Operating System CD into the CD or DVD drive.

Close any program or utility that may start to run after you insert the CD into the drive.

HINT: The CD that you need to place in your CD or DVD drive is titled Operating System.

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Contents Dell Dimension Hints, Notices, and CautionsAbbreviations and Acronyms Diagnostic Codes Diagnostic Code Definition Corrective ActionSystem Codes and Messages Post Beep Codes System MessagesBeep Codes Possible Cause Corrective Action Message Possible Cause Corrective ActionPost Documentation Printed DocumentationOnline Documentation Downloading the Tell Me How Help File and Associated FilesSafety Instructions When Using Your ComputerWhen Working Inside Your Computer Adding PartsShutting Down the Computer Reattaching the Front Door and Hinge ArmsReattaching the Hinge Arms Opening the Computer Cover Adding Cards Open the computer coverRemoving Cards Close the computer coverAdding Memory Replacing an AGP Card Adding a Second Hard Drive Adding Other Drives Inch DevicesShut down the computer Inch Devices Replacing the Microprocessor Page Installing the Microprocessor Replacing the Power Supply Removing the Power SupplyRemoving the Front I/O Panel Replacing the Power Supply Replacing the System BoardRemoving the System Board Closing the Computer Cover Replacing the System BoardPage Solving Problems Accessing Help FilesPower Problems Start-Up Error Messages Video and Monitor ProblemsAdjust the Windows display settings If the screen is blankSound and Speaker Problems Printer ProblemsIf you cannot print to a parallel port printer If you cannot print to a USB printerScanner Problems Modem ProblemsVerify that the modem is communicating with Windows Control Panel, double-clickPhone and Modem OptionsMouse Problems Keyboard ProblemsDrive Problems Check the mouse settingsIf you have a hard drive problem Under Error-checking, click Check NowIf you cannot play a DVD movie If the CD-RW drive stops writingNetwork Problems Microsoft Windows Error MessagesGeneral Program Problems Internet Connection Problems Mail ProblemsResolving Other Technical Problems Reinstalling Drivers Using the Windows XP Device Driver RollbackAt the Welcome Dell System Owner screen, click Next Click PropertiesClick Performance and Maintenance, and then click System Resolving Software and Hardware IncompatibilitiesWindows Me WindowsUsing System Restore Creating a Restore PointClick Performance and Maintenance Click the System Restore tabReinstalling Windows XP Undoing the Last System RestoreClick Create a restore point Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating StateReinstalling Windows Me Click Next in the Welcome to Windows Me windowReinstalling Windows Click I accept the Agreement, and then click NextBack to Contents Technical Specifications SpecificationsPower Audio3Video Controls and LightsPage System Setup Program Viewing SettingsSystem Setup Program Screens OverviewOption Function Clearing Forgotten Passwords PXE BISInternal View System Board Connectors and Sockets Technical OverviewPower Supply Socketed MicroprocessorDC Power Connectors Pin Number Signal name 18-AWG WireDC Power Connector P2 DC Power Connectors P3, P5, P6, P8, and P9DC Power Connector P7 IDE Interface Cable Connections for Dell-Installed Drives Placement of Dell-Installed CardsPin Number Signal Name 22-AWG Wire IDE Channel IDE Connector Location Dell Installed DriveControls and Lights Front ViewBack View Windows LabelSerial Connector Hints, Notices, and Cautions Abbreviations and Acronyms