Reinstalling Drivers and the Operating System 281
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.
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.
Booting From the Operating System CD
1
Save and close any open files and exit any open programs.
2
Insert the
Operating System
CD. Click
Exit
if
Install Windows XP
message appears.
3
Restart the computer.
4
Press <F12> immediately after the DELL™ logo appears.
If the operating system logo appears, wait until you see the Windows desktop, and then shut
down the computer and try again.
5
Press the arrow keys to select
CD-ROM
, and press <Enter>.
6
When the
Press any key to boot from CD
message appears, press any key.
Windows XP Setup
1
When the
Windows XP Setup
screen appears, press <Enter> to select
To set up Windows now
.
2
Read the information on the
Microsoft Windows Licensing Agreement
screen, and press <F8>
to accept the license agreement.
3
If your computer already has Windows XP installed and you want to recover your current
Windows XP data, type
r
to select the repair option, and remove the CD.
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