should I have gotten a driver CD with the machine ?

If so, I will have to search it out.

Yes, you can re-install the OS from the OS cd that came with your computer.  The next thing you want to do is load the driver cd. You would probably have to re-install the NIC driver, and other peripherals driver.  To check what drivers you are missing, you can go to the device manager. 

The driver cd I am referring to is the dimension resouce cd.  If you have both reinstalltion cd and resouce cd, you are good to go.  If you don't have the resource cd, you might want to download all the drivers for your computer from the dell website on a usb drive or floppy before reinstalling the OS.  Just go to support and type in your service tag or the serial number of your computer.

How did your reinstall go? I am about to do the exact same thing and have the same question about the formatting. The response wasn't very clear - could you explain how you formatted before doing the re-install

 

Thanks

 

Ted

Message Edited by simpswr on 03-03-2006 03:18 PM

I find the whole process to be unclear, simply because the relevant info is spread over many places and web sites.

DELL provides little guidance on reinstallation options and gotchas (in writing that is). The DELL forum guys are helpful.


In any case, I remembered that I should do my taxes before I do anything drastic with my machine. I use TAXCUT and all previous records are stored on my hard drive ( and backups !!). It will be another week or two before I am ready to efile my returns.
Then I can afford to play with a clean install.

I will provide feedback.

another query: Anyone know if the DELL reinstallation CD (circa 2001/2002) will let you go into recovery mode ?
Some OEM versions of XP will not. I need to use it to run FIXMBR since I currently dual boot with Linux.

A GREAT post !! Makes me much more comfortable.


- disconnect all peripherals (including cable modem).and any internal USB cards
**I have a combo USB2/firewire card I guess I have to pull.
- Boot from XP CD
- Delete partition and recreate
**Does this mean delete the LINUX partition and add that space to C: partition ?
**Can I do the partition stuff ahead of time with Partition Magic ?
- reformat
- install XP HOME from Dell reinstall CD
**Do you know if the Reinstall CD has the Recovery Console on it ?
- install service pack 2
- install Chipset Driver
- install Network Card Driver
- install LCD display, Video Card and sound drivers
- install antivirus and firewall
- connect cable modem and run Windows update
- update virus defs
- install ad/mal-ware sw
- connect peripherals and install drivers where necessary
- install "must have" software (basically MS Office)
- Image the drive
- install remaining software

You can download the chipset and other drivers prior to reinstalling and burn to CD to make things go smoother, also, this is a great guide for reinstalling on a Dell: http://www.djdenham.com/Install%20Procedures.htm

Message Edited by simpswr on 03-03-2006 03:18 PM