Using the operating system media – Dell Vostro 1200 (Early 2009) User Manual

Page 116

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Reinstalling Software

Using the Operating System Media

Before you Begin

If you are considering reinstalling the Windows operating system to correct a

problem with a newly installed driver, first try using Windows Device Driver

Rollback. See "Using Windows Device Driver Rollback" on page 106. 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 Microsoft

Windows

System

Restore" on page 111.

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, you need the following items:

• Dell™ Operating System media
• Dell Drivers and Utilities media

NOTE:

The

Dell Drivers and Utilities media

contains drivers that were installed

during the assembly of the computer. Use the

Dell Drivers and Utilities media

to

load any required drivers. Depending on the region from which you ordered your

computer, or whether you requested the media, the

Dell Drivers and Utilities

media

and

Operating System

media may not ship with your computer.

Reinstalling Windows XP or Windows Vista

The reinstallation process can take one to two 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 media provides options for reinstalling

Windows XP. The options can overwrite files and possibly affect programs that are

installed on your hard drive. Therefore, do not reinstall Windows XP unless a Dell

technical support representative instructs you to do so.

1 Save and close any open files and exit any open programs.
2 Insert the Operating System disc.
3 Click Exit if the Install Windows message appears.
4 Restart the computer.

When the DELL logo appears, press <F12> immediately.

book.book Page 116 Wednesday, December 12, 2007 10:32 AM

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