beautypg.com

Reinstalling microsoft® windows® xp, Reinstalling microsoft, Before you begin – Dell Inspiron 300m User Manual

Page 97: Reinstalling windows xp, Windows

background image

Solving Problems

97

Reinstalling Microsoft

®

Windows

®

XP

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. 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 Windows XP Device Driver Rollback" on page 92 and "Using Microsoft

®

Windows

®

XP System Restore" on page 95.

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 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: The

Operating System CD provides options for reinstalling Windows XP. The options

can 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: To prevent conflicts with Windows XP, disable any virus protection software installed

on your computer before you reinstall Windows XP. See the documentation that came with the
software for instructions.