Dell Inspiron 531s (Mid 2007) - Manual (Page 99)

Troubleshooting Tools
99
To reinstall Windows, you need the following items:
• Dell™ Operating System CD
• Drivers and Utilities media
NOTE:
The Drivers and Utilities media contains drivers that were installed during
assembly of the computer. Use the Drivers and Utilities media to load any required
drivers. Depending on the region from where you ordered your computer, or
whether you requested the CDs or DVDs, the Drivers and Utilities media and
Operating System
CD may not ship with your system.
Reinstalling Windows XP or Windows Vista
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
Operating System. The options will overwrite files and possibly affect programs
installed on your hard drive. Therefore, do not reinstall Windows unless a Dell
technical support representative instructs you to do so.
NOTE:
It is highly recommended that you attempt to perform a Windows Vista
system restore first and then, if necessary, a Dell OS restore (to take it back to
as-shipped condition), before attempting a complete OS reinstallation. Complete
reinstallation of the operating system is a complex task.
1 Save and close any open files and exit any open programs.
2 Insert the Operating System CD. Click Exit if the
Install Windows
Vista message appears.
3 Restart the computer. 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.
NOTE:
The next steps change the boot sequence for one time only. On the
next start-up, the computer boots according to the devices specified in the
system setup program.
4 When the boot device list appears, highlight CD/DVD/CD-RW Drive and
press <Enter>.
5 Press any key to Boot from CD-ROM.
6 Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation.
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