Using the Operating System Media, Before you Begin, 116 | Dell 1200

Using the Operating System Media

Before you Begin

If you are considering reinstalling the Windows operating system to correct a problem with a newly installed driver, first try using Windows Device Driver Rollback. See "Using Windows Device Driver Rollback" on page 106. If Device Driver Rollback does not resolve the problem, then use System Restore to return your operating system to the operating state it was in before you installed the new device driver. See "Using Microsoft Windows System Restore" on page 111.

NOTICE: Before performing the installation, back up all data files on your primary hard drive. For conventional hard drive configurations, the primary hard drive is the first drive detected by the computer.

To reinstall Windows, you need the following items:

•Dell™ Operating System media

•Dell Drivers and Utilities media

NOTE: The Dell Drivers and Utilities media contains drivers that were installed during the assembly of the computer. Use the Dell Drivers and Utilities media to load any required drivers. Depending on the region from which you ordered your computer, or whether you requested the media, the Dell Drivers and Utilities media and Operating System media may not ship with your computer.

Reinstalling Windows XP or Windows Vista

The reinstallation process can take one to two hours to complete. After you reinstall the operating system, you must also reinstall the device drivers, virus protection program, and other software.

NOTICE: The Operating System media provides options for reinstalling

Windows XP. The options can overwrite files and possibly affect programs that are installed on your hard drive. Therefore, do not reinstall Windows XP unless a Dell technical support representative instructs you to do so.

1Save and close any open files and exit any open programs.

2Insert the Operating System disc.

3Click Exit if the Install Windows message appears.

4Restart the computer.

When the DELL logo appears, press <F12> immediately.

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Reinstalling Software

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Dell 1200 owner manual Using the Operating System Media, Before you Begin, Reinstalling Windows XP or Windows Vista, 116

Contents

W . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m November RK930 Contents Customizing the Touch Pad Connecting a Network or Broadband Modem Cable Microsoft Windows Firewall Securing Your Computer 102 Dell Technical Update Service101 105 119120 123 126 127129 137 Contents Finding Information What Are You Looking For? Find It Here Dell Product Information Guide License What Are You Looking For? Site Dell Support Utility Windows Help and Support On the operating system you ordered Finding Information About Your Computer Front View Display About Your Computer V I C E S T a T U S L I G H T S Left Side View In-1 memory card reader Right Side View Back View D E M C O N N E C T O R RJ T W O R K C O N N E C T O R RJ Battery Battery-bay latch release Bottom View About Your Computer About Your Computer Using a Battery Battery Performance Low-Battery Warning Checking the Battery ChargeMicrosoft Windows Power Meter Standby and Sleep Mode Conserving Battery PowerPower Management Modes Hibernate Mode Configuring Power Management Settings Charging the BatteryAccessing Power Options Properties Windows XP Removing the Battery Storing a Battery Using a Battery Using the Keyboard Numeric Keypad Power Management Key CombinationsSystem Functions Speaker Functions Touch Pad Customizing the Touch Pad Mouse Properties window Using a Projector Using the DisplayAdjusting Brightness Windows Vista Making Images and Text Look Bigger or SharperMicrosoft Windows XP Using Both a Monitor and Your Computer Display Using a Monitor as Your Primary Display Click the Settings tab→ Advanced→ Displays tab Using the Display Using Multimedia Playing CDs or DVDs DVD player includes the following basic buttons How to Copy a CD or DVD Copying CDs and DVDs Using Blank CDs and DVDs Media Type Read Write Rewritable Helpful Tips DVD-Writable Drives Adjusting the Volume Adjusting the Picture Setting Up and Using Networks Connecting a Network or Broadband Modem Cable Setting Up and Using Networks Wireless Local Area Network Wlan Checking Your Wireless Network CardWhat You Need to Establish a Wlan Connection Start Button and Connect To Option Order Confirmation for Your Computer Connecting to a Wlan Determining the Wireless Network Device Manager Click Start→ Settings→ Control Panel→ Network Connections Microsoft Windows Firewall Completing the Connection to the Wlan Setting Up and Using Networks Using Cards ExpressCards Installing an ExpressCard ExpressCard Blanks Removing an ExpressCard or Blank Slot Passwords About PasswordsSecuring Your Computer Security Cable Lock Using a Primary or System Password Type of Password Features Using an Administrator Password If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen Computer Tracking SoftwareFingerprint Reader Optional Securing Your Computer Securing Your Computer Troubleshooting Tools Diagnostic LightsDiagnostic Light Codes During Post Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution System Messages Light Pattern Troubleshooting Tools Correct AC adapter to the computer or docking station E S E M E S S a G E S . See System Setup Program on Hardware Troubleshooter Dell for assistance see Contacting Dell on Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive Dell DiagnosticsWhen to Use the Dell Diagnostics Troubleshooting Tools Press Tab to select Test System and then press Enter Dell Diagnostics Main Menu Option Function Encountered TabFunction Tab Function Troubleshooting Battery Problems Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems Click Start→ All Programs→ Modem Helper Error Messages Do not use these characters in filenames Program stops responding Lockups and Software ProblemsComputer stops responding Solid blue screen appears Program crashes repeatedlyProgram is designed for an earlier Windows operating system Memory Problems Other software problems Network Problems Power Problems Printer Problems Scanner Problems Click Properties and click Ports Sound and Speaker Problems No sound from speakers Touch Pad or Mouse Problems No sound from headphones Video and Monitor Problems Screen is blank Screen is difficult to read Only part of the display is readable Power Lights3D image quality is poor Dell Technical Update Service Dell Support Utility Double-Clicking the Dell Support Icon Accessing the Dell Support UtilityClicking the Dell Support Icon 100 101 System Setup ProgramOverview Viewing the System Setup Screens System Setup ScreensChanging the Boot Sequence Commonly Used Options Performing a One-Time Boot 103 Enabling the Infrared Sensor 104 Reinstalling Software What Is a Driver?Drivers Identifying Drivers Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities Using Windows Device Driver RollbackMicrosoft Windows XP Microsoft Windows Vista At the Welcome Dell System Owner screen, click Next 107 Using the Drivers and Utilities Media 108 Manually Reinstalling Drivers 109 110 Hardware and Software ProblemsRestoring Your Operating System 111 Using Microsoft Windows System RestoreStarting System Restore 112 Undoing the Last System RestoreEnabling System Restore 113 Using Dell PC Restore and Dell Factory Image RestoreWindows XP Dell PC Restore 114 Windows Vista Dell Factory Image Restore 115 Using the Operating System Media Reinstalling Windows XP or Windows VistaBefore you Begin 116 117 118 Traveling With Your Computer Identifying Your ComputerPacking the Computer 119 120 Travel TipsTraveling by Air 121 122 123 Getting HelpObtaining Assistance 124 Technical Support and Customer ServiceDellConnect Online Services Problems With Your Order AutoTech ServiceAutomated Order-Status Service 125 126 Before You Call 127 Diagnostics Checklist 128 Contacting Dell 129 130 Specifications 131 132 CommunicationsVideo Audio Keyboard 133Display Battery 134Touch Pad AC Adapter 135 DrivesPhysical Environmental 136 Appendix FCC Notice U.S. OnlyFCC Class B 137 Cleaning Your Computer Computer, Keyboard, and Display 138 139 Mouse Non-OpticalCDs and DVDs 140 Glossary 141 142 143 Product ID 144 Device driver See driver 145 146 147 148 149 Module bay See media bay 150 NIC See network adapter 151 152 153 154 Video resolution See resolution 155 156 157 158 Index 159 160 See also wireless switch 161 162 163 164