Dell YT583 manual Using the Operating System Disc, Before you Begin, 137

Using the Operating System Disc

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 page 130. 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 "Using Microsoft Windows System Restore" on page 132.

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 disc

•Dell Drivers and Utilities disc

NOTE: The Dell Drivers and Utilities disc contains drivers that were installed during the assembly of the computer. Use the Dell Drivers and Utilities disc to load any required drivers. Depending on the region from which you ordered your computer, or whether you requested the disc, the Dell Drivers and Utilities disc and Operating System disc 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 disc 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.

1Save and close any open files and exit any open programs.

2Insert the Operating System disc.

3Click Exit if the Install Windows message appears.

4Restart the computer.

When the DELL logo appears, press <F12> immediately.

Reinstalling Software

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