Using The Operating System Media; Before You Begin; Reinstalling Windows Xp Or Windows Vista - Dell Inspiron 545 MT User Manual

Using the Operating System Media

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 "Determining Whether a Device Driver is the Source of a
Device Problem" on page 79. Then try Device Driver Rollback (see "Replacing
a Driver With a Previous Version of the Driver" on page 79).
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
Restore" on page 265).
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 media
• Dell Drivers and Utilities media
NOTE:
The Dell Drivers and Utilities media contains drivers that were installed
during the assembly of the computer. Use the Dell Drivers and Utilities media to load
any required drivers. Depending on the region from which you ordered your
computer, or whether you requested the media, the Dell Drivers and Utilities media
and Operating System media 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 media 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.
Restoring Your Operating System
® ®
Windows System
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