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How to reinstall Windows XP ??

  • 30-08-2007 1:30pm
    #1
    juror
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 196 ✭✭


    Hi, I've had a dell pc for roughly 4 years and its getting a little sluggish so I'm thinking about reinstalling windows xp on it... I have no idea how to or whats involved

    ... any help??

    thanks


Comments

  • #2
    Ruu_Old
    Closed Accounts Posts: 36,634 ✭✭✭✭Ruu_Old


    Did you get a Windows XP disc with your PC?


  • #3
    juror
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 196 ✭✭juror


    Ya i did, i have it stored safe & sound!!


  • #4
    8T8
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,757 ✭✭✭8T8


    Well Dell's often come with a recovery disc that will wipe the machine of it's exiting OS and restore it to the state when you first powered on the PC so thats one option.

    Another is if you have the XP install CD and you can perform whats often called a "clean install" this is essentially wiping the OS from the computer and re-installing Windows manually. The advantage of this is that you can cut out any bloat or extras the Dell image includes in it's restore package so you avoid those but you must install all the drivers for your hardware after the install along with service packs etc.

    The drivers can be located on Dell's website if you look up your model number/service tag.

    There is a visual guide here on the clean install if you feel like giving it a go.

    (Remember to first back up all your personal data onto something else like an external HD or DVD-R)

    (If your XP CD does not have service pack 2 integrated then it would be a good idea to install that first once Windows is up and running before installing any drivers or you can slipstream SP2 into an XP CD as well)


  • #5
    juror
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 196 ✭✭juror


    I like the sound of the recovery disc, a bit less complicated ... that'll keep all the drivers and do just as good a job as reinstalling windows?


  • #6
    8T8
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,757 ✭✭✭8T8


    Pretty much yeah.

    If you want to remove any of the Dell bundled extras (this does not include drivers) it can be done easily with this utility which automates the process. It will be near enough to a clean install as can be without actually doing it.


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  • #7
    The Tourist
    Closed Accounts Posts: 376 ✭✭The Tourist


    What sort of speed up can be expected from a reinstall? I have a 4 year old laptop that is slowing down a bit. For the most part it's not a problem but the boot up time is painfully slow. Is there a less work intensive option than reinstalling windows? I am assuming I would have to reinstall all my applications if I reinstalled windows?


  • #8
    juror
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 196 ✭✭juror


    Thanks 8T8 for the help, think i'll use the dell recovery disc and the utility you linked to (love the name of it!)
    Sound out


  • #9
    ethernet
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,568 ✭✭✭ethernet


    The Tourist wrote:
    What sort of speed up can be expected from a reinstall? I have a 4 year old laptop that is slowing down a bit. For the most part it's not a problem but the boot up time is painfully slow. Is there a less work intensive option than reinstalling windows? I am assuming I would have to reinstall all my applications if I reinstalled windows?
    Better than now! Hard to say but things just run more smoothly. Yes, you'd need to install all programs again and restore documents you would have backed up before formatting. After this, it's a good idea to ghost your hard drive and restore the image whenever things slow down again.


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