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Reinstalling Software 149
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 142. 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 144.
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.
1
Save and close any open files and exit any open programs.
2
Insert the
Operating System
disc.
3
Click
Exit
if the
Install Windows
message appears.
4
Restart the computer.
When the DELL logo appears, press <F12> immediately.