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Using the Operating System CD
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 84). 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 88).
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
media
NOTE: The Drivers and Utilities media contains drivers that were installed during
assembly of the computer. Use the Drivers and Utilities media to load any required
drivers. Depending on the region from where you ordered your computer, or
whether you requested the CDs or DVDs, the Drivers and Utilities media 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
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.
NOTE: It is highly recommended that you attempt to perform a Windows system
restore first and then, if necessary, a Dell operating system restore (to take it back
to as-shipped condition), before attempting a complete operating system
reinstallation. Complete reinstallation of the operating system is a complex task.
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