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40 Reinstalling Software
Using the Operating System Media
Before reinstalling the operating system, try the following:
• Windows Device Driver Rollback (see "Returning to a Previous Device
Driver Version" on page 36)
• Microsoft System Restore (see "Using Microsoft
®
Windows
®
System
Restore" on page 38)
NOTICE: Before performing the installation, back up all data files from your primary
hard drive to another media. For conventional hard drive configurations, the primary
hard drive is the first drive detected by the computer.
To reinstall Windows, you need the Dell™ Operating System media and the
Dell Drivers and Utilities media. The Dell
Drivers and Utilities
media
contains
drivers that were installed at the time you ordered your computer.
NOTE: Depending on the region from which you ordered your computer, or
whether you requested the media, the Dell Drivers and Utilities media and Dell
Operating System media may not ship with your computer.
Reinstalling Windows
NOTE: The reinstallation process can take 1 to 2 hours to complete.
1
Save and close any open files and exit any open programs.
2
Insert the
Operating System
media.
3
If the
Install Windows
message appears, click
Exit
.
4
Restart the computer, and when the DELL logo appears, press <F12>
immediately.
If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, wait until you
see the Microsoft
®
Windows
®
desktop; then, restart your computer and
try again.
5
When the boot device list appears, highlight
CD/DVD/CD-RW Drive
and press <Enter>.
This selection changes the boot sequence for one time only.
6
Press any key to
Boot from CD-ROM
, and follow the instructions on the
screen to complete the installation.
7 Reinstall the device drivers, virus protection program, and other
software.