Restoring Windows XP

Question

Hey there,   I have a Dell Dimension 4550 desktop.  It seems I have a virus running on my computer and I have tried EVERYTHING to get rid of it.  Unfortunatly, I was unsuccessful, which leads me to believe if I do a complete machine restore, I should be ok.  Where can I find the exact steps to performing a restore?  I will back up all my data on DVDRs so I should be ok.  Do I have to erase my hard drive before peforming a restore or can I simply insert the restore CD while my machine is currently running(w/ a virus)?  Thank you for your help.

Majestic · Answer

Click here for a Dell Knowledge Base article on how to restore Windows XP on your model.

simpswr · Answer

This is a good guide for reinstalling on a Dell:  http://www.djdenham.com/Install%20Procedures.htm   wrs

simpswr · Answer

Might take a gander at this wrs

rmaher07 · Answer

Hey, thanks for the help. I having trouble w/ some USB devices though. I beleive the drivers loaded correctly, b/c there is no error messages in Device Manager.

The two devices I'm having trouble with are a Mini Ipod and a USB 256MB Storage Device.

My computer crashes whenever I connect either one. I also installed Service Pack 2. Any ideas? I tried upgrading the drivers, but I believe they are up to date. How can I be sure? I check on the site here, but no luck.

rmaher07 · Answer

Thank you for the link.  My only problem with that is that when I try to update the drivers, it will only let me choose from removable media (floppy, cd-rom drives) or  browse to a specific location on my hard drive.  I have two concerns:   1)  How can I update my USB drivers over the Internet?   2)  I contacted Dell Support -  Well, It turns out that I am having Hard drive issues instead.  I performed a IDE Drive Diagnostics Test and it has failed w/ Return code 7.   I can boot my computer and use it just fine.............Until I connect a USB device. I'm will try replacing my hard drive and see if that solves the problem.  Any other ideas?

simpswr · Answer

Download the file from Dell to a location on your hard drive, then double click it to install. If the Dell diagnostics failed I would back up any important data quickly . . then replace the drive. wrs

simpswr · Answer

1)  Do you think it could be related to system board?    Could be, but I'd try new drivers first   2)  When I get the new drive, can I just image the drive using Norton Ghost, and copy the drive?  If I do that though, won't that copy the error I am having in regards to the drive?  Should I just reload  all software from scratch?  I prefer loading from scratch . . it does not take much longer than imageing and you will know you have a stable system   3) What about if I switch the IDE cable to another IDE port on the Motherboard ( If one is available).  Maybe the port on the Motherboard is bad?   Also possible   4) and as for the USB drivers, they aren't listed on Dell.com  =(   .  I have a  dimension 4550.  I can only use the drivers that came on the cd when I bought my machine.  Try installing the chipset drivers  . . That may enable the usb and take care of other issues as well   wrs

rmaher07 · Answer

Yeah, it did fail the IDE Device Connection test.  I will do that later today........some thoughts though.   1)  Do you think it could be related to system board?  I don't b/c I'm able to boot up into Windows fine and use the computer.     2)  When I get the new drive, can I just image the drive using Norton Ghost, and copy the drive?  If I do that though, won't that copy the error I am having in regards to the drive?  Should I just reload  all software from scratch?   3) What about if I switch the IDE cable to another IDE port on the Motherboard ( If one is available).  Maybe the port on the Motherboard is bad?    4) and as for the USB drivers, they aren't listed on Dell.com  =(   .  I have a  dimension 4550.  I can only use the drivers that came on the cd when I bought my machine.    Thanks for your help man!  I  Appreciate it!

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