How do I Reinstall Windows XP on a Dell Laptop?

The Windows XP operating system can be reinstalled on your Dell laptop in order to troubleshoot problems and restore the system's default settings. The system can be reinstalled on any Dell notebook or laptop that is able to run XP. A CD key is required in order to complete the setup of the operating system after reinstalling it. This CD key can be found on a sticker on the bottom of your Dell laptop if it came with XP installed. If you upgraded to XP by purchasing the operating system, the CD key will be located on the Windows XP CD case.

Things You'll Need

• XP setup CD
• Storage device

Instructions

1. Save all of the files you would like to keep, before reinstalling XP. Files can be saved to a CD-R, CD-RW or other storage source. Visit Dell's "Drivers & Downloads" website at www.support.dell.com/support/downloads. Download the drivers for your specific laptop model. Save these files to the same storage device.

2. Uninstall Internet Explorer 7 in preparation for the XP reinstall. Click on "Start," then select "Run." Type in "appwiz.cpl" and click "OK" to continue. Locate "Windows Internet Explorer 7" in the list of programs and click it to highlight it. Click the "Remove" button, and Internet Explorer 7 will be removed from your computer.

3. Load the XP setup CD into the CD drive. Click on the "Install Windows XP" button in the window that appears after the CD has been loaded. Select "Upgrade (Recommended)" on the "Windows Setup" page. You will be brought to the "License Agreement" page. Click "I accept this agreement" to acknowledge these terms.

4. Type the XP CD key into the box provided. Verify that the key is entered correctly and click "Next" to validate your copy of XP. Choose to download and install the recommended "Setup Files" on the page that follows. Windows will go through an automatic reinstallation process after downloading these files.

5. Copy the previously saved Dell drivers and files to your computer from the storage device that you saved them on. Open the drivers by double-clicking on each one individually, and you will be walked through an installation process. This will ensure that the reinstalled version of XP functions properly with your Dell laptop's hardware. After the drivers have been reinstalled, XP will be ready for normal use.

References

• Microsoft Support: How to Perform an In-place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP
• Microsoft Support: How to Uninstall Internet Explorer 7

Resources

• Dell: Drivers & Downloads