Dell 1200 Using the Operating System Media

116 Reinstalling Software

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

WindowsXP. 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.

1

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

2

Insert the

Operating System

disc.

3

Click

Exit

if the

Install Windows

message appears.

4

Restart the computer.

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

book.book Page 116 Wednesday, December 12, 2007 10:32 AM

Contents

Main Notes, Notices, and Cautions ____________________ Contents 3 Using a Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 4 Using the Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 5 Using the Display. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 6 Using Multimedia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 7 Setting Up and Using Networks . . . . . . . 55 8 Using Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 9 Securing Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 10 Troubleshooting Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 11 Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 12 System Setup Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 13 Reinstalling Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 14 Traveling With Your Computer. . . . . . . . 119 15 Getting Help. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 Page Page Finding Information NOTE: 12 NOTE: 14 NOTE: NOTE: Page Page Page Page About Your Computer Front View Page The green lights located above the keyboard indicate the following: 22 NOTE: Left Side View Right Side View Back View Page Page Bottom View Page Page Using a Battery Battery Performance Checking the Battery Charge Microsoft Windows Power Meter Low-Battery Warning Conserving Battery Power Power Management Modes Standby and Sleep Mode Hibernate Mode Configuring Power Management Settings Accessing Power Options Properties Charging the Battery Removing the Battery Storing a Battery Page Using the Keyboard Numeric Keypad 40 Key Combinations System Functions Power Management Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions Speaker Functions Touch Pad Customizing the Touch Pad Using the Display Adjusting Brightness Using a Projector Making Images and Text Look Bigger or Sharper Using Both a Monitor and Your Computer Display Using a Monitor as Your Primary Display Page Page Using Multimedia Playing CDs or DVDs Page Copying CDs and DVDs How to Copy a CD or DVD Using Blank CDs and DVDs Helpful Tips Adjusting the Volume Adjusting the Picture Setting Up and Using Networks Connecting a Network or Broadband Modem Cable Setting Up a Network in the Microsoft Windows XP Operating System Setting Up a Network in the Microsoft Windows Vista Operating System Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) What You Need to Establish a WLAN Connection Checking Your Wireless Network Card Setting Up a New WLAN Using a Wireless Router and a Broadband Modem Connecting to a WLAN Page Microsoft Windows Firewall Page Using Cards ExpressCards ExpressCard Blanks Installing an ExpressCard Removing an ExpressCard or Blank Page Securing Your Computer Security Cable Lock Passwords About Passwords Using a Primary (or System) Password Using an Administrator Password Computer Tracking Software Fingerprint Reader (Optional) If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen Page Page Troubleshooting Tools Diagnostic Lights Diagnostic Light Codes During POST 74 System Messages Press <F1> to load defaults. page 88. Page 76 information. station. Service Manual Reseat the memory (see Memory in your adapter or docking station may be defective. battery or system board may be defective. Hardware Troubleshooter Dell Diagnostics When to Use the Dell Diagnostics Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive Page Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities Media Dell Diagnostics Main Menu Page 84 NOTE: Troubleshooting Battery Problems E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems Page Error Messages Lockups and Software Problems Page Memory Problems Network Problems Power Problems Printer Problems Scanner Problems Sound and Speaker Problems Touch Pad or Mouse Problems Video and Monitor Problems Power Lights Dell Technical Update Service Dell Support Utility Accessing the Dell Support Utility Clicking the Dell Support Icon Double-Clicking the Dell Support Icon Page System Setup Program Overview Viewing the System Setup Screens System Setup Screens Commonly Used Options Changing the Boot Sequence Page Enabling the Infrared Sensor Reinstalling Software Drivers What Is a Driver? Identifying Drivers Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities Page Page Page Hardware and Software Problems Restoring Your Operating System Using Microsoft Windows System Restore Page Using Dell PC Restore and Dell Factory Image Restore Page Page Using the Operating System Media Page Page Traveling With Your Computer Identifying Your Computer Packing the Computer Travel Tips Traveling by Air Page Page Getting Help Obtaining Assistance Technical Support and Customer Service DellConnect Online Services AutoTech Service Automated Order-Status Service Problems With Your Order Product Information Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit Before You Call 128 Contacting Dell Page Specifications Page Page Page Page Page Appendix FCC Notice (U.S. Only) FCC Class B Cleaning Your Computer Computer, Keyboard, and Display Mouse (Non-Optical) Touch Pad CDs and DVDs Page Glossary A B C D Page E F G H I K L M N O P R S Page T U V W X Z Page Page Index A B C D E F H I K L M N O R S T V W