Before reinstalling the Microsoft® Windows XP operating system to correct a problem, try correcting the problem by using System Restore.
NOTICE: The Operating System CD provides options for reinstalling the
Windows XP operating system. The options can potentially overwrite files
installed by Dell and possibly affect programs installed on your hard drive.
Therefore, Dell does not recommend that you reinstall your operating system
unless instructed to do so by a Dell technical support representative.
HINT: The CD that you
need to place in your CD
or DVD drive is titled
Operating System.
Insert the Operating System CD.
Shut down the computer (see "Accessing Help"), and then turn on the
computer.
Press any key when the Press any key to boot from CD message
appears on the screen.
When the Windows XP Setup screen appears, press
to
select To set up Windows now.
Read the information in the License Agreement window, and then
press
on your keyboard to agree with the license information.
If your computer already has Windows XP installed and you want to
recover your current Windows XP data, type r to select the repair
option, and then go to step 14.
If you want to install a new copy of Windows XP, press
to select the fresh copy option and then press
on the next screen to select the highlighted partition (recommended). Then follow the instructions on the screen.
The Windows XP Setup screen appears and Windows XP begins to copy files and install the device drivers. The computer automatically restarts multiple times before it requires additional input.
When the Welcome to Microsoft screen appears, click the green arrow
icon at the bottom of the screen to continue. Then follow the
instructions on the screen to finish the installation.
When the Regional Settings screen appears, select the settings for
your locale, and then click Next.
Enter your name and organization in the Personalize Your Software
screen, and then click Next.
If you are reinstalling Windows XP Home Edition, enter a name for your
computer when the Computer Name window appears, and then click
Next.
If you are reinstalling Windows XP Professional, enter a name for your computer and a password when the Computer Name and Administrator Password window appears, and then click Next.
If you have a modem installed, the Modem Dialing Information
screen appears. Enter the requested information and click Next.
Enter the date, time, and time zone in the Date and Time Settings
window and click Next.
If your computer has a network adapter, select the appropriate network
settings. If your computer does not have a network adapter, you do not
see this option.
Windows XP begins to install its components and configure the computer. The computer automatically restarts.
When the Welcome to Microsoft screen appears, click the green arrow
icon at the bottom of the screen to continue. Then follow the
instructions on the screen to complete the installation.
NOTICE: The Operating System CD provides options for reinstalling the
Windows 2000 operating system. The options can potentially overwrite files
installed by Dell and possibly affect programs installed on your hard drive.
Therefore, Dell does not recommend that you reinstall your operating system
unless instructed to do so by a Dell technical support representative.
HINT: The CD that you
need to place in your CD
or DVD drive is titled
Operating System.
Turn on the computer, and enter the system setup program as directed
by a Dell technical support representative or as follows:
Shut down the computer.
Before the computer boots into Windows, press
to enter the
system setup program.
Press
to move to the Boot menu.
In the system setup program Boot menu, follow the instructions
on the screen to change the boot sequence so that the CD or DVD
drive boots first. Then insert the Operating System CD into the
drive.
Press
to save your changes and exit the system setup
program.
Press any key to boot the computer from the CD.
When the Windows 2000 Setup window appears, ensure that To setup
Win2000 now, press ENTER is highlighted. Then press
.
Read the information in the License Agreement window, and then
press
to continue.
When the Windows 2000 Professional Setup window appears, press
the arrow keys to select the Windows 2000 partition option that you
want. Then press the key for the partition option you chose.
When the Windows 2000 Professional Setup window reappears, press
the arrow keys to select the type of file system that you want Windows
2000 to use, and then press
.
Press
again to restart your computer.
Click Next when the Welcome to the Windows 2000 Setup Wizard
window appears.
When the Regional Settings window appears, select your region, and
then click Next.
Enter your name and organization in the Personalize Your Software
window, and then click Next.
Enter the Windows product key, which is printed on the Microsoft
label on your computer. Then click Next.
When the Computer Name and Administrator Password window
appears, enter a name for your computer and a password, if desired.
Then click Next.
Enter the date and time in the Date and Time Settings window, and
then click Next.
Windows 2000 installs components and configures the computer.
When the Completing the Windows 2000 Setup Wizard window
appears, remove the CD from the drive, and then click Finish.
to
select To set up Windows now.
on your keyboard to agree with the license information.
to select the fresh copy option and then press 
on the next screen to select the highlighted partition (recommended). Then follow the instructions on the screen.
to enter the
system setup program.
to move to the Boot menu.
to save your changes and exit the system setup
program.
.
to continue.
.
again to restart your computer.