Reinstalling Software 113
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
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 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.
1
Save and close any open files and exit any open programs.
2
Insert the
Operating System
media.
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.