Dell NY105 Restoring Your Operating System

Reinstalling Software 105

3

In the

Fix a Problem

section, click

Hardware Troubleshooter

.

4

In the

Hardware Troubleshooter

list, select the option that best describes the problem and click

Next

to follow the remaining troubleshooting steps.

Microsoft Windows Vista

1

Click the Windows Vista start button

, ,

and click

Help and Support

.

2

Typ e

hardware troubleshooter

in the search field and press <Enter> to start the search.

3

In the search results, select the option that best describes the problem and follow the remaining

troubleshooting steps.

Restoring Your Operating System

You can restore your operating system in the following ways:

• Microsoft Windows XP System Restore and Microsoft Windows Vista System Restore return your

computer to an earlier operating state without affecting data files. Use System Restore as the first

solution for restoring your operating system and preserving data files.

• If you received an

Operating System

media with your computer, you can use it to restore your operating

system. However, using the

Operating System

media also deletes all data on the hard drive. Use the

media

only

if System Restore did not resolve your operating system problem.

Using Microsoft® Windows® System Restore

The Windows operating systems provide a System Restore option which allows you to return your

computer to an earlier operating state (without affecting data files) if changes to the hardware, software,

or other system settings have left the computer in an undesirable operating state. Any changes that

System Restore makes to your computer are completely reversible.

NOTICE: Make regular backups of your data files. System Restore does not monitor your data files or recover

them.

NOTE: The procedures in this document were written for the Windows default view, so they may not apply if you

set your Dell™ computer to the Windows Classic view.

Starting System Restore

NOTICE: Before you restore the computer to an earlier operating state, save and close any open files and exit any

open programs. Do not alter, open, or delete any files or programs until the system restoration is complete.

Microsoft Windows XP

1

Click

Start

→

All Programs

→

Accessories

→

System Tools

→

System Restore

.

2

Click either

Restore my computer to an earlier time

or

Create a restore point

.

3

Click

Next

and follow the remaining on-screen prompts.

Contents

Main Notes, Notices, and Cautions Contents 1 Finding Information 2 About Your Computer 3 Transferring Information to a New Computer 4 Using a Battery 5 Using the Keyboard 6 Using the Display 7 Setting Up and Using Networks 8 Using Multimedia 9Using Cards 10 Securing Your Computer 11 Troubleshooting Page 12 System Setup Program 13 Reinstalling Software 14 Adding and Replacing Parts 15 Dell QuickSet 16 Traveling With Your Computer 17 Specifications 18 Getting Help 19 Appendix Finding Information NOTE: 12 NOTE: 14 , Dell QuickSet Help To vi ew NOTE: About Your Computer Front View Page NOTE: 18 Left Side View Page Right Side View Back View 22 Page Page Bottom View Page Transferring Information to a New Computer Microsoft Windows XP Running the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard With the Operating System Media Running the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard Without the Operating System Media Microsoft Windows Vista Easy Transfer Cable for Windows Vista Page Using a Battery Battery Performance Checking the Battery Charge Dell QuickSet Battery Meter Microsoft Windows Power Meter Charge Gauge 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 Replacing the Battery Storing a Battery Page Page Using the Keyboard 40 Battery Display Functions Power Management Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions Touch Pad Customizing the Touch Pad and Track Stick Changing the Track Stick Cap Using the Display Adjusting Brightness Using the Ambient Light Sensor Switching the Video Image Setting Display Resolution and Refresh Rate Dual Independent Display Mode Swapping Primary and Secondary Displays 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 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 Mobile Broadband (or Wireless Wide Area Network) What You Need to Establish a Mobile Broadband Network Connection Checking Your Dell Mobile Broadband Card Connecting to a Mobile Broadband Network Enabling/Disabling the Dell Mobile Broadband Card Managing Your Network Settings Through the Dell QuickSet Location Profiler Dell Wi-Fi Catcher Network Locator Microsoft Windows Firewall Page Page Using Multimedia Playing Media Copying Media How to Copy Media Using Blank Media Helpful Tips Adjusting the Volume Adjusting the Picture Microsoft Windows XP Operating System Microsoft Windows Vista Operating System Using Cards Card Types PC Cards ExpressCards Smart Cards Installing a PC Card or ExpressCard PC Card ExpressCards Removing a Card or Blank Page Securing Your Computer Security Cable Lock Smart Card About Smart Cards Installing a Smart Card Passwords About Passwords Using a Primary (or System) Password Using an Administrator Password Using a Hard Drive Password Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Enabling the TPM Feature Security Management Software Activating the Security Management Software Using the Security Management Software Computer Tracking Software If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen Page Troubleshooting Dell Technical Update Service Dell Diagnostics When to Use the Dell Diagnostics Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive Starting the Dell Diagnostics from the Drivers and Utilities Media Dell Diagnostics Main Menu Dell Support Utility Accessing the Dell Support Utility Clicking the Dell Support Icon Double-Clicking the Dell Support Icon Drive Problems Media drive problems If you cannot eject the CD, CD-RW, DVD, or DVD+RW drive tray If you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding sound Hard drive problems E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems Page Error Messages Page Page IEEE 1394 Device Problems Keyboard Problems External Keyboard problems Unexpected characters Lockups and Software Problems The computer does not start up The computer stops responding A program stops responding or crashes repeatedly A program is designed for an earlier Microsoft Windows operating system Memory Problems Network Problems General Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) Mobile Broadband (Wireless Wide Area Network) PC Card Problems Power Problems Ensuring Sufficient Power for Your Computer Docking Power Considerations Printer Problems Scanner Problems Sound and Speaker Problems No sound from integrated speakers No sound from external speakers No sound from headphones Touch Pad or Mouse Problems Video and Display Problems If the display is blank If the display is difficult to read If only part of the display is readable System Setup Program Overview Viewing the System Setup Screens System Setup Screens Commonly Used Options Changing the Boot Sequence Changing Printer Modes Changing COM Ports Page Reinstalling Software Drivers What Is a Driver? Identifying Drivers Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities Page Using the Hardware Troubleshooter Tool Microsoft Windows XP Microsoft Windows Vista Restoring Your Operating System Using Microsoft Windows System Restore Using the Operating System Media Page Page Adding and Replacing Parts Before You Begin Recommended Tools Turning Off Your Computer Before Working Inside Your Computer Hinge Cover Keyboard Page Internal Card With Bluetooth Wireless Technology Coin-Cell Battery Memory Page Page Page Page Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) Card Page Mobile Broadband Card Page Page Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Card Hard Drive Page Media Bay Removing Media Bay Devices FCM (Flash Cache Module) Page Page Dell QuickSet Page Traveling With Your Computer Identifying Your Computer Packing the Computer Travel Tips Traveling by Air Specifications Page Page Page Page Page 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 Contacting Dell For customers in the United States, call 800-WWW-DELL (800-999-3355). Page Appendix Cleaning Your Computer Computer, Keyboard, and Display Touch Pad Mouse Floppy Drive CDs and DVDs FCC Notice (U.S. Only) FCC Class B Page Glossary A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P R S Page T U V W X Z