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Using the Operating System CD
Before You Begin
If you are considering a reinstall of the Windows Vista operating system to
correct a problem with a newly installed driver, first try using Windows Vista
Device Driver Rollback (see "Using Windows Device Driver Rollback" on
page 92). 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 96).
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
CD
•
Drivers and Utilities
CD
NOTE: The Drivers and Utilities CD contains drivers that were installed during
assembly of the computer. Use the Drivers and Utilities CD to load any required
drivers. Depending on the region from where you ordered your computer, or
whether you requested the CDs/DVDs, the Drivers and Utilities CD and
Operating System CD may not ship with your system.
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 CD provides options for reinstalling Windows XP or
Windows Vista. The options will overwrite files and possibly affect programs
installed on your hard drive. Therefore, do not reinstall Windows Vista 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
CD. Click
Exit
if the
Install Windows
message appears.
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