Help with System Restore Windows XP

Chances are either the system pre-dates the quick restore, or a manual install was done at some point - which renders the quick restore inoperable.  Back up the c:\dell directory to a CD or flash drive (it contains the drivers) and do a manual install (from your Windows CD).

I did some sort of a full system restore at some point- maybe 3 years ago.  I have a few CD's that came from dell when i purchased the laptop 12/2004.  three are application CD's, one drivers and utilities, and one operating system/reinstallation CD.

I just tried to use the OS reinstallation CD/ it just reinstalled my OS.  Is there a way to do a complete system restore?

You will find a guide for reinstalling your operating system and drivers here:  Dell Installation Guide.

The short version of this is that you boot from the operating system CD and use it to wipe the drive and perform the installation.  You then use the Dell Resource CD to install the device drivers, the first few in the following order:  Dell Notebook System Software, Intel Chipset Driver, Display Adapter Driver, Network Interface Adapter Driver, and Sound Adapter Driver.  If you have others you may install them in the order of your choice.

Once you have finished installing the drivers you begin installing your applications, one at a time, beginning with your anti-virus.

A couple of additional notes:

1.  Your installation CD is probably Windows XP with Service Pack 1 or 2.  Microsoft has released Service Pack 3 and after July of this year that is the only service pack that will be supported.  I recommend that you use the computer you are using to post to download Service Pack 3 from this page:  Windows XP Service Pack 3 Update.  Copy it to a USB memory key or blank CD.  When you have finished installing your drivers, use this file to update your OS to SP3.  The installation will go more easily if the update is performed before you install the anti-virus.

2.  If you copied your existing drivers from C:\Dell\Drivers per ejn63's advice, you can recreate that directory on your C: drive (if it doesn't already exist) and copy your old drivers to that directory.  You will need to be able to identify which driver is which because the only way most of them will install is by using the Device Manager's Change or Update Driver wizard and pointing the wizard to the correct directory containing the driver for the device you are trying to install.

3.  After you have the device drivers and the SP-3 update installed you should install your anti-virus or your internet security program.  Do not connect the machine to the internet before doing this.

THANK YOU! it finally worked and I was able to system restore.  I will now load the drivers as instructed.  THANK YOU!

We are happy we could help.  Best of luck to you.