94 Troubleshooting ToolsUsing the Operating System CDBefore You BeginIf you are considering reinstalling the Windows operating system to correct aproblem with a newly installed driver, first try using Windows Device DriverRollback. (see "Using Windows Device Driver Rollback" on page 84). IfDevice Driver Rollback does not resolve the problem, then use SystemRestore to return your operating system to the operating state it was in beforeyou installed the new device driver (see "Using Microsoft Windows SystemRestore" on page 88).NOTICE: Before performing the installation, back up all data files on your primaryhard drive. For conventional hard drive configurations, the primary hard drive is thefirst drive detected by the computer.To reinstall Windows, you need the following items:• Dell™ Operating System CD• Drivers and Utilities mediaNOTE: The Drivers and Utilities media contains drivers that were installed duringassembly of the computer. Use the Drivers and Utilities media to load any requireddrivers. Depending on the region from where you ordered your computer, orwhether you requested the CDs or DVDs, the Drivers and Utilities media andOperating System CD may not ship with your system.Reinstalling Windows XP or Windows VistaThe reinstallation process can take 1 to 2 hours to complete. After you reinstallthe operating system, you must also reinstall the device drivers, virusprotection program, and other software.NOTICE: The Operating System CD provides options for reinstalling WindowsVista. The options will overwrite files and possibly affect programs installed on yourhard drive. Therefore, do not reinstall Windows Vista unless a Dell technicalsupport representative instructs you to do so.NOTE: It is highly recommended that you attempt to perform a Windows systemrestore first and then, if necessary, a Dell operating system restore (to take it backto as-shipped condition), before attempting a complete operating systemreinstallation. Complete reinstallation of the operating system is a complex task.
