System Recovery Options
Operating System Reinstallation
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. 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 “System Restore” on page 43.
NOTICE: Before performing the installation, back up all data files on your hard drive. For conventional hard drive configurations, the hard drive is the first drive detected by the computer.
Use Operating System Reinstallation media only as the last method to restore your operating system.
To reinstall Windows, you need the following items:
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•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. Alternatively, you can also use the Dell Factory Image Restore as it contains all the drivers that are available on your computer.
Reinstalling Windows Vista
The reinstallation process can take 1 to 4 hours to complete. After you reinstall the operating system, you must also reinstall the device drivers, virus protection program, and other software.
