Reinstalling Software

  Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities

  Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities

  Using Microsoft® Windows® System Restore

  Reinstalling Windows® XP

  Reinstalling Windows 2000

Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities

Dell ships your computer to you with required drivers and utilities already installed—no further installation or configuration is needed.

NOTICE: The Drivers and Utilities CD may contain drivers for operating systems that are not on your computer. Ensure that you are installing software appropriate for your operating system.

To reinstall drivers for optional devices such as wireless communications and DVD drives, you may need the CD and documentation that came with those devices.

NOTICE: The Dell Support website, support.dell.com, and the Drivers and Utilities CD provide approved drivers for Dell™ computers. If you install drivers from other sources, your computer might not work correctly.

To reinstall a driver or utility from your Drivers and Utilities CD:

1. Save and close any open files, and exit any open programs.
   
   
2. Insert the Drivers and Utilities CD.
   
   

In most cases, the CD starts running automatically. If it does not, start Microsoft® Windows® Explorer, click your CD drive directory to display the CD contents, and then double-click the autorcd.exe file. The first time that you run the CD, it might prompt you to install setup files. Click OK, and follow the instructions on the screen to continue.

3. From the Language drop-down menu in the toolbar, select your preferred language for the driver or utility (if available).
   
   

A welcome screen appears.

4. Click Next. The CD automatically scans your hardware to detect drivers and utilities used by your computer.
   
   

After the CD completes the hardware scan, you can also detect other drivers and utilities. Under Search Criteria, select the appropriate categories from the System Model, Operating System, and Topic drop-down menus.

A link or links appear(s) for the specific drivers and utilities used by your computer.

5. Click the link of a specific driver or utility to display information about the driver or utility that you want to install.
   
   
6. Click the Install button (if present) to begin installing the driver or utility. At the welcome screen, follow the screen prompts to complete the installation.
   
   

If no Install button is present, automatic installation is not an option. For installation instructions, either see the appropriate instructions in the following subsections, or click Extract, follow the extracting instructions, and read the readme file.

If instructed to navigate to the driver files, click the CD directory on the driver information window to display the files associated with that driver.

Manually Reinstalling Drivers for Windows XP

NOTE: If you are reinstalling an infrared-sensor driver, you must first enable the infrared sensor in the system setup program before continuing with the driver installation.

1. After extracting the driver files to your hard drive as described previously, right-click My Computer.
   
   
2. Click Properties.
   
   
3. Click the Hardware tab and click Device Manager.
   
   
4. Double-click the type of device for which you are installing the driver (for example, Modems or Infrared devices).
   
   
5. Double-click the name of the device for which you are installing the driver.
   
   
6. Click the Driver tab and click Update Driver.
   
   
7. Select Install from a list or specific location (Advanced) and click Next.
   
   
8. Click Browse, and browse to the location to which you previously extracted the driver files.
   
   
9. When the name of the appropriate driver appears, click Next.
   
   
10. Click Finish and restart your computer.
    
    

Using the Windows XP Device Driver Rollback

If you install a new device driver that causes system instability, you can use the Windows XP Device Driver Rollback to replace the new device driver with the previously installed version of the device driver. If you cannot reinstall your previous driver by using the Device Driver Rollback process, then use System Restore to return your operating system to its previous operating state before you installed the new device driver. To use Device Driver Rollback:

1. Click the Start button and right-click My Computer.
   
   
2. Click Properties.
   
   
3. Click the Hardware tab and click Device Manager.
   
   
4. In the Device Manager window, right-click the device for which the new driver was installed and then click Properties.
   
   
5. Click the Drivers tab.
   
   
6. Click Roll Back Driver.
   
   

Manually Reinstalling Drivers for Windows 2000

NOTE: If you are reinstalling an infrared driver, you must first enable the infrared sensor in the system setup program before continuing with the driver installation.

1. After extracting the driver files to your hard drive as described previously, click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
   
   
2. Double-click the System icon.
   
   
3. Click the Hardware tab.
   
   
4. Click Device Manager.
   
   
5. Double-click the type of device for which you are installing the driver (for example, Modems or Infrared devices).
   
   
6. Double-click the name of the device.
   
   
7. Click the Driver tab and click Update Driver.
   
   
8. Click Next.
   
   
9. Ensure that Search for a suitable driver for my device (recommended) is selected, and then click Next.
   
   
10. Ensure that the Specify a location check box is checked and that all other check boxes are unchecked, and click Next.
    
    
11. Click Browse to browse to the location to which you previously extracted the driver files.
    
    
12. When the name of the appropriate driver appears, click Next.
    
    
13. Click Finish and restart your computer.
    
    

Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities

In the Microsoft® Windows® XP and Windows 2000 operating systems, IRQ conflicts occur if a device either is not detected during the operating system setup or is detected but incorrectly configured. See the following subsection that corresponds to your operating system to check for IRQ conflicts on your computer.

Windows XP

1. Click the Start button and click Control Panel.
   
   
2. Click Performance and Maintenance and click System.
   
   
3. Click the Hardware tab and click Device Manager.
   
   
4. In the Device Manager list, check for conflicts with the other devices.
   
   

Conflicts are indicated by a yellow exclamation point (!) beside the conflicting device or a red X if the device has been disabled.

5. Double-click any conflicting device listed to bring up the Properties window so that you can determine what needs to be reconfigured or removed from the Device Manager.
   
   
6. Resolve these conflicts before checking specific devices.
   
   
7. Double-click the malfunctioning device type in the Device Manager list.
   
   
8. Double-click the icon for the specific device in the expanded list.
   
   

The Properties window appears.

If an IRQ conflict exists, the Device status area in the Properties window reports what other devices are sharing the device's IRQ.

9. Resolve any IRQ conflicts.
   
   

You can also use the Windows XP Hardware Troubleshooter. To use the troubleshooter, click the Start button and click Help and Support. Type hardware troubleshooter in the Search field, and then click the arrow to start the search. Click Hardware Troubleshooter in the Search Results list. In the Hardware Troubleshooter list, click I need to resolve a hardware conflict on my computer and click Next.

Windows 2000

1. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
   
   
2. Double-click the System icon.
   
   
3. Click the Hardware tab.
   
   
4. Click Device Manager.
   
   
5. Click View and click Resources by connection.
   
   
6. Double-click Interrupt request (IRQ) to view the IRQ assignments.
   
   

Conflicts are indicated by a yellow exclamation point (!) beside the conflicting device or a red X if the device has been disabled.

7. Double-click any conflicting device listed to bring up the Properties window so that you can determine what needs to be reconfigured or removed from the Device Manager. Resolve these conflicts before checking specific devices.
   
   
8. Double-click the malfunctioning device type in the Device Manager list.
   
   
9. Double-click the icon for the specific device in the expanded list.
   
   

The Properties window appears.

If an IRQ conflict exists, the Device status area in the Properties window reports what other devices are sharing the device's IRQ.

10. Resolve any IRQ conflicts.
    
    

You can also use the Windows 2000 Hardware Troubleshooter. To use the troubleshooter, click the Start button and click Help. Click Troubleshooting and Maintenance on the Contents tab, click Windows 2000 troubleshooters, and then click Hardware. In the Hardware Troubleshooter list, click I need to resolve a hardware conflict on my computer, and then click Next.

Using Microsoft® Windows® System Restore

The Microsoft Windows XP operating system provides a System Restore feature that allows you to return your computer to an earlier operating state if changes to the computer's hardware, software (including new hardware or program installations), or system settings have left the computer in an undesirable operating state. You can also undo the last system restore.

System Restore automatically creates system checkpoints. You can also manually create your own checkpoints by creating restore points. To limit the amount of hard disk space used, older restore points will be automatically purged.

To resolve an operating system problem, you can use System Restore from Safe Mode or Normal Mode to return your computer to an earlier operating state.

System Restore does not cause you to lose personal files stored in the My Documents folder, data files, or e-mail messages after restoring the computer to an earlier time. If you restore the computer to an operating state that existed before you installed a program, the program's data files are not lost, but you must reinstall the actual program again.

NOTICE: It is important to make regular backups of your data files. System Restore does not monitor changes to or recover your data files. If the original data on the hard disk is accidentally erased or overwritten, or if it becomes inaccessible because of a hard disk malfunction, use your backup files to recover the lost or damaged data.

System Restore is enabled on your new computer. However, if you reinstall Windows XP with less than 200 MB of free hard-disk space available, System Restore is automatically disabled. Before you use System Restore, confirm that it is enabled:

1. Click the Start button and click Control Panel.
   
   
2. Click the Performance and Maintenance.
   
   
3. Click System.
   
   
4. Click the System Restore tab.
   
   
5. Ensure that Turn off System Restore is not checked.
   
   

Creating a Restore Point

In Windows XP, you can either use the System Restore Wizard or manually create a restore point.

Using the System Restore Wizard

To use the System Restore Wizard, click the Start button, click Help and Support, click System Restore, and then follow the instructions in the System Restore Wizard window. You can also create and name a restore point if you are logged on as the computer administrator or a user with administrator rights.

Manually Creating a Restore Point

1. Click the Start button, point to All Programs®
   Accessories® System Tools, and then click System Restore.
   
   
2. Click Create a restore point.
   
   
3. Click Next.
   
   
4. Type a name for the new restore point in the Restore point description field.
   
   

The present date and time are automatically added to the description of the new restore point.

5. Click Create.
   
   
6. Click OK.
   
   

Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State

If problems occur after installing a device driver, first try using Device Driver Rollback. If Device Driver Rollback does not resolve the problem, then use System Restore.

NOTICE: Before restoring the computer to an earlier operating state, save and close all open files and exit all open programs. Do not alter, open, or delete any files or programs until the system restoration is complete.

1. Click the Start button, point to All Programs®
   Accessories® System Tools, and then click System Restore.
   
   
2. Ensure that Restore my computer to an earlier time is selected and click Next.
   
   
3. Click a calendar date to which you want to restore your computer.
   
   

The Select a Restore Point screen provides a calendar that allows you to see and select restore points. All calendar dates with available restore points appear in bold.

4. Select a restore point and click Next.
   
   

If a calendar date has only one restore point, then that restore point is automatically selected. If two or more restore points are available, click the restore point that you want to use.

NOTICE: Save and close all open files and exit all open programs. Do not alter, open, or delete any files or programs until the system restoration is complete.

5. Click Next.
   
   

In Windows XP, the Restoration Complete screen appears after System Restore finishes collecting data, and then the computer automatically restarts.

6. After the computer restarts, click OK.
   
   

To change the restore point, you can either repeat the steps using a different restore point, or you can undo the restoration.

Undoing the Last System Restore

NOTICE: Save and close all open files and exit all open programs. Do not alter, open, or delete any files or programs until the system restoration is complete.

1. Click the Start button, point to All Programs®
   Accessories® System Tools, and then click System Restore.
   
   
2. Select Undo my last restoration and click Next.
   
   

NOTICE: Save and close all open files and exit all open programs. Do not alter, open, or delete any files or programs until the system restoration is complete.

3. Click Next.
   
   

The System Restore screen appears, and then the computer automatically restarts.

4. After the computer restarts, click OK.
   
   

Reinstalling Windows® XP

Before reinstalling the Microsoft® Windows XP operating system to correct a problem, try correcting the problem by using Windows 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, do not reinstall your operating system unless instructed to do so by a Dell technical support representative.

1. Insert the Operating System CD.
   
   
2. Shut down the computer, and then turn on the computer.
   
   
3. Press any key when the Press any key to boot from CD message appears on the screen.
   
   
4. When the Windows XP Setup screen appears, press <Enter> to select To set up Windows now.
   
   
5. Read the information in the License Agreement window, and then press <F8> on your keyboard to agree with the license information.
   
   
6. 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 15.
   
   

If you want to install a new copy of Windows XP, press <Esc> to select the fresh copy option and then press <Enter> 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.

7. 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.
   
   
8. When the Regional Settings screen appears, select the settings for your locale and click Next.
   
   
9. Enter your name and organization in the Personalize Your Software screen and click Next.
   
   
10. If you are reinstalling Windows XP Home Edition, enter a name for your computer when the Computer Name window appear and 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 click Next.

11. If you have a modem installed, the Modem Dialing Information screen appears. Enter the requested information and click Next.
    
    
12. Enter the date, time, and time zone in the Date and Time Settings window and click Next.
    
    
13. 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.

14. 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.
    
    
15. Remove the CD from the drive.
    
    
16. Reinstall the appropriate drivers.
    
    
17. Reinstall your virus protection software.
    
    

Reinstalling Windows 2000

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, do not reinstall your operating system unless instructed to do so by a Dell technical support representative.

1. Turn on the computer, and enter the system setup program as directed by a Dell technical support representative or as follows:
   
   
   1. Shut down the computer.
      
      
   2. Before the computer boots into Windows, press <F2> to enter the system setup program.
      
      
   3. Press <Alt><P> to move to the Boot menu.
      
      
   4. 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.
      
      
   5. Press <Esc> to save your changes and exit the system setup program.
      
      
   6. Press any key to boot the computer from the CD.
      
      
2. When the Windows 2000 Setup window appears, ensure that To setup Win2000 now, press ENTER is highlighted. Then press <Enter>.
   
   
3. Read the information in the License Agreement window and press <F8> to continue.
   
   
4. 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.
   
   
5. 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 <Enter>.
   
   
6. Press <Enter> again to restart your computer.
   
   
7. Click Next when the Welcome to the Windows 2000 Setup Wizard window appears.
   
   
8. When the Regional Settings window appears, select your region, and then click Next.
   
   
9. Enter your name and organization in the Personalize Your Software window and click Next.
   
   
10. Enter the Windows product key, which is printed on the Microsoft label on your computer. Then click Next.
    
    
11. When the Computer Name and Administrator Password window appears, enter a name for your computer and a password, if desired. Then click Next.
    
    
12. Enter the date and time in the Date and Time Settings window and click Next.
    
    

Windows 2000 installs components and configures the computer.

13. When the Completing the Windows 2000 Setup Wizard window appears, remove the CD from the drive and click Finish.
    
    

The computer automatically restarts.

Enabling Hibernate Mode

1. Click the Start button, point to Settings and click Control Panel.
   
   
2. Double-click the Power Management icon.
   
   
3. Click the Hibernate tab.
   
   
4. Ensure that Enable hibernate support is selected and click Apply.
   
   
5. Click OK to close the Control Panel.