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 XP, you need the following items:
Dell Operating System CD
Dell Drivers and Utilities CD
NOTE: The Dell Drivers and Utilities CD contains drivers that were factory-installed during
assembly of the computer. Use the Drivers and Utilities CD to load any required drivers,
including those drivers required if your computer has a redundant array of independent disks
(RAID) controller.
Product Key (Product ID Number) ____________________
NOTE: The Product Key is the bar code number on the sticker that is located on the external
side cover of your computer. You may be prompted for the Product Key when using the Operating
System CD under certain conditions.
To reinstall Windows XP, perform all the steps in the following sections in the order in which they are listed.
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 XP. The options
can overwrite files and possibly affect programs installed on your hard drive. Therefore, do not
reinstall Windows XP unless instructed to do so by a Dell technical support representative.
NOTICE: To prevent conflicts with Windows XP, disable any virus protection software installed
on your computer before you reinstall Windows XP. See the documentation that came with the
software for instructions.
When the Windows XP Setup screen appears, press <Enter> to select To set up
Windows now.
Read the information on the Microsoft Windows Licensing Agreement screen, and
press <F8> to accept the license agreement.
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 remove the CD
from the drive.
If you want to install a new copy of Windows XP, press <Esc> to select that option.
Press <Enter> to select the highlighted partition (recommended), and then follow
the instructions on the screen.
The Windows XP Setup screen appears, and the operating system begins to copy files and install the devices. The computer automatically restarts multiple times.
NOTE: The time required to complete the setup depends on the size of the hard drive and the
speed of your computer.
NOTICE: Do not press any key when the following message appears: Press any key to
boot from the CD.
When the Regional and Language Options screen appears, select the settings for your
location, and then click Next.
Enter your name and organization (optional) in the Personalize Your Software screen
and click Next.
If you are reinstalling Windows XP Home Edition, at the What's your computer's name
window, enter a name for your computer (or accept the name provided) and click
Next.
If you are reinstalling Windows XP Professional, at the Computer Name and Administrator Password window, enter a name for your computer (or accept the one provided) and a password, and then click Next.
If 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 the Networking Settings screen appears, click Typical and click Next.
If you are reinstalling Windows XP Professional and you are prompted to provide
further information regarding your network configuration, enter your selections. If you
are unsure of your settings, accept the default selections.
Windows XP installs the operating system components and configures the computer. The computer automatically restarts.
NOTICE: Do not press any key when the following message appears: Press any key to
boot from the CD.
When the Welcome to Microsoft screen appears, click Next.
When the How will this computer connect to the Internet? message
appears, click Skip.
When the Ready to register with Microsoft? screen appears, select No, not at this
time and click Next.
When the Who will use this computer? screen appears, you can enter up to five users.
Click Next.
Click Finish to complete the setup, and remove the CD from the drive.
Reinstall the appropriate drivers using the ResourceCD.
NOTICE: The Operating System CD provides options for reinstalling Windows
2000. The options
can overwrite files and possibly affect programs installed on your hard drive. Therefore, do not
reinstall Windows 2000 unless instructed to do so by a Dell technical support representative.
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.
Save and close any open files and exit any open programs.
Insert the Operating System CD. If any program starts automatically, exit the program
before proceeding.
Shut down the computer through the Start menu and 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.
Press the arrow keys to select CD-ROM, and then press <Enter>.
When the Press any key to boot from CD message appears, press any key.
When the Windows 2000 Setup window appears, ensure that To setup Win2000 now,
press ENTER is highlighted. Then press <Enter>.
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
<Enter>.
Press <Enter> 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.
The computer automatically restarts.
Reinstall the appropriate drivers using the ResourceCD.
The Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system provides a Files and Settings Transfer wizard to move data from the source computer to the new computer. You can move data such as:
E-mails
Toolbar settings
Window sizes
Internet bookmarks
You can transfer the data to the new computer over a network or serial connection, or you can store it on a removable medium, such as a writable CD or floppy disk.
To prepare the new computer for the file transfer:
Click the Start button, point to All Programs® Accessories® System Tools, and then
click Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.
When the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard welcome screen appears, click Next.
On the Which computer is this? screen, click New Computer and click Next.
On the Do you have a Windows XP CD? screen, click I will use the wizard from the
Windows XP CD and click Next.
When the Now go to your old computer screen appears, go to your old or source
computer. Do not click Next at this time.
To copy data from the old computer:
On the old computer, insert the Windows XP Operating System CD.
On the Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP screen, click Perform additional tasks.
Under What do you want to do?, click Transfer files and settings.
On the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard welcome screen, click Next.
On the Which computer is this? screen, click Old Computer and click Next.
On the Select a transfer method screen, click the transfer method you prefer.
On the What do you want to transfer? screen, select the items you want to transfer
and click Next.
After the information has been copied, the Completing the Collection Phase screen appears.
Click Finish.
To transfer data to the new computer:
On the Now go to your old computer screen on the new computer, click Next.
On the Where are the files and settings? screen, select the method you chose for
transferring your settings and files and click Next.
The wizard reads the collected files and settings and applies them to your new computer.
When all of the settings and files have been applied, the Finished screen appears.
NOTE: The procedures in this help file were written for the Windows default view, so the options
might be different if you switch to the classic view.
You can change the Control Panel, the Start menu, and the Microsoft® Windows® desktop so they look like they did in previous versions of the Windows operating system.
By default, the Desktop Cleanup Wizard moves desktop icons that are not frequently used from your desktop to a designated folder 7 days after you first start your computer and every 60 days after that. The appearance of the Start menu changes as desktop icons are moved.
To turn off the Desktop Cleanup Wizard:
Right-click an empty spot on the desktop and click Properties.
Click the Desktop tab and click Customize Desktop.
Click Run Desktop Cleanup Wizard every 60 days to remove the check mark.
Click OK.
To run the Desktop Cleanup Wizard at any time:
Right-click an empty spot on the desktop and click Properties.
Click the Desktop tab and click Customize Desktop.
Click Clean Desktop Now.
When the Desktop Cleanup Wizard screen appears, click Next.
To leave an icon on the desktop, click the icon name to remove the check mark, and
then click Next.
Click Finish to remove the shortcuts and close the wizard.
The Internet Connection Firewall provides basic protection from unauthorized access to the computer while the computer is connected to the Internet. The firewall is automatically enabled when you run the Network Setup Wizard. When the firewall is enabled for a network connection, the firewall icon appears with a red background in the Network Connections section of the Control Panel.
Note that enabling the Internet Connection Firewall does not reduce the need for virus-checking software.
For more information, see the Help and Support Center (Microsoft® Windows® XP).
The Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system provides a Network Setup Wizard to guide you through the process of sharing files, printers, or an Internet connection between computers in a home or small office.
Click the Start button, point to All Programs® Accessories® Communications, and
then click Network Setup Wizard.
On the welcome screen, click Next.
Click Checklist for creating a network.
NOTE: Selecting the connection method This computer connects directly to the Internet enables
the integrated firewall provided with Windows XP.
Complete the checklist and required preparations.
Return to the Network Setup Wizard and follow the instructions on the screen.
After the Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system is installed, the administrator or a user with administrator rights can create additional user accounts.
Click the Start button and click Control Panel.
In the Control Panel window, click User Accounts.
Under Pick a task, click Create a new account.
Under Name the new account, type the name of the new user and click Next.
Under Pick an account type, click one of the following options:
Computer administrator — You can change all computer settings.
Limited — You can change only your own personal settings, such as your password. You cannot install programs or use the Internet.
NOTE: Additional options may be available, depending on whether you are using Windows XP
Home Edition or Windows XP Professional. Also, options available in Windows XP Professional
vary depending on whether your computer is connected to a domain.
NOTE: Fast User Switching is unavailable if your computer is running Windows XP
Professional and is a member of a computer domain, or if your computer has less than 128 MB
of memory.
Fast User Switching allows multiple users to access one computer without requiring the previous user to log off.
Click the Start button and click Log Off.
In the Log Off Windows window, click Switch User.
When you use Fast User Switching, programs that previous users were using remain running in the background, which might decrease your computer's response time. Also, multimedia programs, such as games and DVD software, might not work with Fast User Switching. For more information, see the Windows Help and Support Center.
