64 Reinstalling Software
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 Dell™ Operating System media and the
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 Dell
Operating System
media may not ship with your computer.
Reinstalling Windows
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.
1
Save and close any open files and exit any open programs.
2
Insert the
Operating System
media.
3
If the
Install Windows
message appears, click
Exit
.
4
Restart the computer.
When the DELL logo appears, press <F12> immediately.
NOTE: If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue
to wait until you see the Microsoft
®
Windows
®
desktop; then, shut down your
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.
5
When the boot device list appears, highlight
CD/DVD/CD-RW Drive
and press <Enter>.
6
Press any key to
Boot from CD-ROM
, and follow the instructions on the
screen to complete the installation.
