248 Your Operating System
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Reinstalling Microsoft
®
Windows
®
XP
NOTE: See Advanced Troubleshooting for information on identifying drivers, creating a restore
point, and resolving software and hardware incompatibilities.
Before You Reinstall
If you are considering reinstalling the Windows XP operating system to correct a problem
with a newly installed driver, use System Restore to return your operating system to the
operating state it was in before you installed the new device driver.
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
Dell
Drivers and Utilities
CD contains drivers that were factory-installed during
assembly of the computer. Use the
Drivers and Utilities
CD to load any required drivers,
including those drivers required if your computer has a redundant array of independent disks
(RAID) controller.
• 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 using 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 instructed to do so by a Dell technical support representative.
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.
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