DELL NX046 User Manual

Reinstalling Software

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 142. 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

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 disc
• Dell Drivers and Utilities disc 

The Dell Drivers and Utilities disc contains drivers that were installed during 

the assembly of the computer. Use the Dell Drivers and Utilities disc to load any 

required drivers. Depending on the region from which you ordered your computer, 

or whether you requested the disc, the Dell Drivers and Utilities disc and Operating 
System

 disc may not ship with your computer.

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.

The Operating System disc 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.