Dell PP21L Owner's Manual

Also see for Inspiron 1300: Owner's manual Service manual Service manual

Contents

Solving Problems 81Using the Operating System CDBefore You BeginIf you are considering reinstalling the Windows XP operating system to correct a problem with a newlyinstalled driver, first try using Windows XP Device Driver Rollback. See “Using Windows XP DeviceDriver Rollback” on page 75. If Device Driver Rollback does not resolve the problem, then use SystemRestore to return your operating system to the operating state it was in before you installed the newdevice driver. See “Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore” on page 78.To reinstall Windows XP, you need the following items:• Dell™ Operating System CD• Dell Drivers and Utilities CDNOTE: The Drivers and Utilities CD contains drivers that were installed during assembly of the computer. Use theDrivers and Utilities CD to load any required drivers. Depending on the region from where you ordered yourcomputer, or whether you requested the CDs, the Drivers and Utilities CD and Operating System CD may not shipwith your system.Reinstalling Windows XPTo reinstall Windows XP, perform all the steps in the following sections in the order in which they arelisted.The reinstallation process can take 1 to 2 hours to complete. After you reinstall the operating system, youmust 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 filesand possibly affect programs installed on your hard drive. Therefore, do not reinstall Windows XP unless a Delltechnical support representative instructs you to do so.NOTICE: To prevent conflicts with Windows XP, disable any virus protection software installed on your computerbefore you reinstall Windows XP. See the documentation that came with the software for instructions.1 Save and close any open files and exit any open programs.2 Insert the Operating System CD. Click Exit if the Install Windows XP message appears.3 Restart the computer.4 Press immediately after the DELL™ logo appears.If the operating system logo appears, wait until you see the Windows desktop, and then shut down thecomputer and try again.5 Press the arrow keys to select CD-ROM, and press .6 When the Press any key to boot from CD message appears, press any key.7 When the Windows XP Setup screen appears, press .8 Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the reinstallation.9 When the operating system reinstallation completes, reinstall drivers and applications as necessary.