Reinstalling Windows Xp - Dell Inspirion 510m Owner's Manual

NOTICE:
conventional hard drive configurations, the primary hard drive is the first drive detected by the computer.
To reinstall Windows XP, you need the following items:
• Dell™ Operating System CD
• Dell 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.
• Product Key (Product ID Number)
NOTE:
The Product Key is the bar code number on the sticker that is located on the external side cover
of your computer. You may be prompted for the Product Key when you use the Operating System CD
under certain conditions.

Reinstalling Windows XP

To reinstall Windows XP, perform all the steps in the following sections in the order in which they
are listed.
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:
overwrite files and possibly affect programs installed on your hard drive. Therefore, do not reinstall
Windows XP unless a Dell technical support representative instructs you to do so.
NOTICE:
computer before you reinstall Windows XP. See the documentation that came with the software for
instructions.
Booting From the Operating System CD
Save and close any open files and exit any open programs.
1
Insert the Operating System CD. If any program starts automatically, exit the program before
2
proceeding.
Restart the computer.
3
Press <F2> immediately after the DELL™ logo appears.
4
If the operating system logo appears, wait until you see the Windows desktop, and then shut
down the computer and try again.
Press the arrow keys to select CD-ROM, and press <Enter>.
5
When the
6
98
Solving Problems
Before performing the installation, back up all data files on your primary hard drive. For
The Operating System CD provides options for reinstalling Windows XP. The options can
To prevent conflicts with Windows XP, disable any virus protection software installed on your
Press any key to boot from CD
message appears, press any key.