Reinstalling Software 101
Using the Operating System CD
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 page96. If Device Driver Rollb ack 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 "Restoring Your Operating System" on page98.
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
CD
•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 CDs, the
Dell
Drivers and Utilities
media
and
Operating System CD may not ship with your computer.
Reinstalling Windows XP or Windows Vista
The reinstallation process can take 1 to 2 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 CD 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.
1
Save and close any open files and exit any open programs.
2
Insert the
Operating System
CD.
3
Click
Exit
if the
Install Windows
message appears.
4
Restart the computer.
When the DELL logo appears, press <F12> immediately.
NOTE: If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the
Microsoft® Windows® desktop; then, shut down your computer and try again.
NOTE: The next steps change the boot sequence for one time only. On the next start-up, the computer boots
according to the devices specified in the system setup program.
5
When the boot device list appears, highlight
CD/DVD/CD-RW Drive
and press <Enter>.
6
Press any key to
Boot from CD-ROM
.
7
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation.