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Reinstalling Microsoft® Windows® XP
Before You Begin
If you are considering reinstalling the Windows XP operating system to correct a problem with a newly installed driver, first try using Windows XP Device Driver Rollback (see page 56). If Device Driver Rollback does not resolve the problem, then use System Restore (see page 57) to return your operating system to the operating state it was in before you installed the new device driver.
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 XP, you need the following items:
•Dell™ Operating System CD
•Dell ResourceCD
NOTE: The ResourceCD contains drivers that were installed during assembly of the computer. Use the ResourceCD to load any required drivers.
Reinstalling Windows XP
To reinstall Windows XP, perform all the steps in the following sections in the order in which they are listed.
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 installed on your hard drive. Therefore, do not reinstall Windows XP unless a Dell technical support representative instructs you to do so.
NOTICE: To prevent conflicts with Windows XP, disable any virus protection software installed on your computer before you reinstall Windows XP. See the documentation that came with the software for instructions.
Booting From the Operating System CD
1Save and close any open files and exit any open programs.
2Insert the Operating System CD. Click Exit if Install Windows XP message appears.
3Restart the computer.
4Press <F12> immediately after the DELL™ logo appears.
If the operating system logo appears, wait until you see the Windows desktop, and then shut down the computer and try again.
5Press the arrow keys to select
6When the Press any key to boot from CD message appears, press any key.
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