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Reinstalling Microsoft
Before You Begin
If you are considering reinstalling the Windows XP operating system to correct a problem with a
newly installed driver, first try using Windows XP Device Driver Rollback (see page 56). If Device
Driver Rollback does not resolve the problem, then use System Restore (see page 57) to return your
operating system to the operating state it was in before you installed the new device driver.
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 ResourceCD
NOTE:
ResourceCD to load any required drivers.
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. Click Exit if Install Windows XP message appears.
2
Restart the computer.
3
Press <F12> 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
60
Advanced Troubleshooting
Before performing the installation, back up all data files on your primary hard drive. For
The ResourceCD contains drivers that were installed during assembly of the computer. Use the
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
®
®
Windows
XP
message appears, press any key.
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