A while back I needed more disk space so I deleted the PC restore
partition on my Inspiron 1200. Now, unfortunately I find myself in the
position of having to completely restore WindowsXP. My question is
this: Does the Dell reinstallation CD also contain the other programs
that shipped with the original computer, programs such as Realplayer,
Quicktime, etc.? What about drivers for the original hardware such as
the internal modem, CD/DVD player, etc.? Also, are there any caveats
to look out for during the reinstallation process? Thanks.
Sal wrote:
> A while back I needed more disk space so I deleted the PC restore
> partition on my Inspiron 1200. Now, unfortunately I find myself in the
> position of having to completely restore WindowsXP. My question is
> this: Does the Dell reinstallation CD also contain the other programs
> that shipped with the original computer, programs such as Realplayer,
> Quicktime, etc.? What about drivers for the original hardware such as
> the internal modem, CD/DVD player, etc.? Also, are there any caveats
> to look out for during the reinstallation process? Thanks.
With my Latitude, I received 4 CDs. (1) Operating System,
(2) Device Drivers, (3) Cyberlink PowerDVD software, and
(4) Roxio software.
With things like RealPlayer, Quicktime, etc. I wouldn't think
they would be on any of these CDs, but those can be downloaded.
With the device drivers, you should be able to download
everything from Dell's support website using your Service Tag
number.
this link is to a dell page that will walk you through the reinstallation of
your operating system from the dell provided cds. http://tinyurl.com/2aqbte
essentially it amounts to inserting the windows xp cd in the cd drive and
rebooting from the cd, installing windows, then installing drivers from the
drivers cd (chipset drivers being critical), then installing dvd player
(decoder) software and/or cd/dvd writer software if they came with your
system. you are then on your own to install anti-virus software, and
everything else. the first of the everything else would be to visit http://update.microsoft.com and select custom to get all windows updates.
this needs to be repeated again and again until it reports no more critical,
optional, or driver updates (be careful with the driver updates as some are
not desirable, but you can roll the driver back in system properties if you
encounter a problem). with every new install of windows i visit www.java.com and select 'do i have java' then 'verify', etc to install the
latest java engine, i think visit www.adobe.com/downloads three times to get
acrobat reader, flash, and shockwave. realplayer can be had from visiting
their site. if you are installing microsoft office then be sure that you
visit http://officeupdate.microsoft.com to collect all the latest office
updates for your version and where you may want to download and install the
office 2007 compatibility pack so that you can open office 2007 documents.
time how long the entire process takes and post back. we recently had a
thread about how long it takes to reinstall windows and i think that people
underestimate the amount of time this process takes (like ever optimistic
gamblers who never seem to remember their losses).
"Sal" <here@softcom.net> wrote in message
news:1192983726.979799.184220@k35g2000prh.googlegr oups.com...
> Hi,
>
> A while back I needed more disk space so I deleted the PC restore
> partition on my Inspiron 1200. Now, unfortunately I find myself in the
> position of having to completely restore WindowsXP. My question is
> this: Does the Dell reinstallation CD also contain the other programs
> that shipped with the original computer, programs such as Realplayer,
> Quicktime, etc.? What about drivers for the original hardware such as
> the internal modem, CD/DVD player, etc.? Also, are there any caveats
> to look out for during the reinstallation process? Thanks.
>
> Sal
>
On Oct 21, 9:42 am, "Le...@Clark.com" <Le...@Clark.com> wrote:
> Sal wrote:
> > A while back I needed more disk space so I deleted the PC restore
> > partition on my Inspiron 1200. Now, unfortunately I find myself in the
> > position of having to completely restore WindowsXP. My question is
> > this: Does the Dell reinstallation CD also contain the other programs
> > that shipped with the original computer, programs such as Realplayer,
> > Quicktime, etc.? What about drivers for the original hardware such as
> > the internal modem, CD/DVD player, etc.? Also, are there any caveats
> > to look out for during the reinstallation process? Thanks.
>
> With my Latitude, I received 4 CDs. (1) Operating System,
> (2) Device Drivers, (3) Cyberlink PowerDVD software, and
> (4) Roxio software.
>
> With things like RealPlayer, Quicktime, etc. I wouldn't think
> they would be on any of these CDs, but those can be downloaded.
> With the device drivers, you should be able to download
> everything from Dell's support website using your Service Tag
> number.
Actually I'm not that concerned with any of the third-party software
that came with the PC. I'm more concerned about the basic hardware
drivers like the display, CD/DVD drive, internal modem and ethernet
adapter. Shouldn't these be on the reinstallation CD and install
automatically on a clean install? Also, there's a 16MB FAT partition
on my hard drive. Can I safely delete it and just make one partition
of the whole drive? Thanks. (P.S. I've already tried a repair install.)
"Christopher Muto" <muto@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:13hn58k2hg0g7bb@corp.supernews.com...
> this link is to a dell page that will walk you through the reinstallation
> of your operating system from the dell provided cds.
> http://tinyurl.com/2aqbte
> essentially it amounts to inserting the windows xp cd in the cd drive and
> rebooting from the cd, installing windows, then installing drivers from
> the drivers cd (chipset drivers being critical), then installing dvd
> player (decoder) software and/or cd/dvd writer software if they came with
> your system. you are then on your own to install anti-virus software, and
> everything else. the first of the everything else would be to visit
> http://update.microsoft.com and select custom to get all windows updates.
> this needs to be repeated again and again until it reports no more
> critical, optional, or driver updates (be careful with the driver updates
> as some are not desirable, but you can roll the driver back in system
> properties if you encounter a problem). with every new install of windows
> i visit www.java.com and select 'do i have java' then 'verify', etc to
> install the latest java engine, i think visit www.adobe.com/downloads
> three times to get acrobat reader, flash, and shockwave. realplayer can
> be had from visiting their site. if you are installing microsoft office
> then be sure that you visit http://officeupdate.microsoft.com to collect
> all the latest office updates for your version and where you may want to
> download and install the office 2007 compatibility pack so that you can
> open office 2007 documents. time how long the entire process takes and
> post back. we recently had a thread about how long it takes to reinstall
> windows and i think that people underestimate the amount of time this
> process takes (like ever optimistic gamblers who never seem to remember
> their losses).
>
> "Sal" <here@softcom.net> wrote in message
> news:1192983726.979799.184220@k35g2000prh.googlegr oups.com...
>> Hi,
>>
>> A while back I needed more disk space so I deleted the PC restore
>> partition on my Inspiron 1200. Now, unfortunately I find myself in the
>> position of having to completely restore WindowsXP. My question is
>> this: Does the Dell reinstallation CD also contain the other programs
>> that shipped with the original computer, programs such as Realplayer,
>> Quicktime, etc.? What about drivers for the original hardware such as
>> the internal modem, CD/DVD player, etc.? Also, are there any caveats
>> to look out for during the reinstallation process? Thanks.
>>
>> Sal
>>
>
>
strange is it not we are now all expected to have 2 computers, one to be
working on the other displaying the manual..............
do not delete the utility partition!!
to save what, 16mb?
this is used for diagnosing system problems and testing your system.
the drivers should be on the driver cd, which you can use after you
install from the regular windows cd that came with your computer if any
drivers are needed.
Sal wrote:
> Actually I'm not that concerned with any of the third-party software
> that came with the PC. I'm more concerned about the basic hardware
> drivers like the display, CD/DVD drive, internal modem and ethernet
> adapter. Shouldn't these be on the reinstallation CD and install
> automatically on a clean install? Also, there's a 16MB FAT partition
> on my hard drive. Can I safely delete it and just make one partition
> of the whole drive? Thanks. (P.S. I've already tried a repair install.)
>
Sal wrote:
> On Oct 21, 9:42 am, "Le...@Clark.com" <Le...@Clark.com> wrote:
>> Sal wrote:
>>> A while back I needed more disk space so I deleted the PC restore
>>> partition on my Inspiron 1200. Now, unfortunately I find myself in the
>>> position of having to completely restore WindowsXP. My question is
>>> this: Does the Dell reinstallation CD also contain the other programs
>>> that shipped with the original computer, programs such as Realplayer,
>>> Quicktime, etc.? What about drivers for the original hardware such as
>>> the internal modem, CD/DVD player, etc.? Also, are there any caveats
>>> to look out for during the reinstallation process? Thanks.
>> With my Latitude, I received 4 CDs. (1) Operating System,
>> (2) Device Drivers, (3) Cyberlink PowerDVD software, and
>> (4) Roxio software.
>>
>> With things like RealPlayer, Quicktime, etc. I wouldn't think
>> they would be on any of these CDs, but those can be downloaded.
>> With the device drivers, you should be able to download
>> everything from Dell's support website using your Service Tag
>> number.
>
> Actually I'm not that concerned with any of the third-party software
> that came with the PC. I'm more concerned about the basic hardware
> drivers like the display, CD/DVD drive, internal modem and ethernet
> adapter. Shouldn't these be on the reinstallation CD and install
> automatically on a clean install? Also, there's a 16MB FAT partition
> on my hard drive. Can I safely delete it and just make one partition
> of the whole drive? Thanks. (P.S. I've already tried a repair install.)
With the Operating System CD you should be able to create
a basic functioning Windows. You may not be able to get
all display resolutions, maybe no wireless functionality, etc.
but probably enough to get to the internet with Ethernet.
On my system the extra FAT partition is DellUtility which
has diagnostics which is bootable from BIOS. I believe
that's all that is there. So if you don't want it you
could make one partition.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Sal [mailto:here@softcom.net]
> Posted At: Sunday, October 21, 2007 12:22 PM
> Posted To: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
> Conversation: Using the reinstallation CD
> Subject: Using the reinstallation CD
>
> Hi,
>
> A while back I needed more disk space so I deleted the PC restore
> partition on my Inspiron 1200. Now, unfortunately I find myself in the
> position of having to completely restore WindowsXP. My question is
> this: Does the Dell reinstallation CD also contain the other programs
> that shipped with the original computer, programs such as Realplayer,
> Quicktime, etc.? What about drivers for the original hardware such as
> the internal modem, CD/DVD player, etc.? Also, are there any caveats
> to look out for during the reinstallation process? Thanks.
>
> Sal
Nope and Nope.
It is not a restore CD. It is a real XP CD. It does not contain all
the drivers. It does not contain all the applications.
You should have gotten separate disks for those.
Before you do anything, go to support.dell.com and download the latest
drivers. Burn them to a CD or put them on a USB Key.
Install XP. Install the Chipset drivers FIRST. Then everything else.
Then install a good AV program. I suggest AVG, which is free
(free.grisoft.com).
I'd only install applications as you find you need them.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Sal [mailto:here@softcom.net]
> Posted At: Sunday, October 21, 2007 2:09 PM
> Posted To: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
> Conversation: Using the reinstallation CD
> Subject: Re: Using the reinstallation CD
>
> On Oct 21, 9:42 am, "Le...@Clark.com" <Le...@Clark.com> wrote:
> > Sal wrote:
> > > A while back I needed more disk space so I deleted the PC restore
> > > partition on my Inspiron 1200. Now, unfortunately I find myself in
> the
> > > position of having to completely restore WindowsXP. My question is
> > > this: Does the Dell reinstallation CD also contain the other
> programs
> > > that shipped with the original computer, programs such as
> Realplayer,
> > > Quicktime, etc.? What about drivers for the original hardware
such
> as
> > > the internal modem, CD/DVD player, etc.? Also, are there any
> caveats
> > > to look out for during the reinstallation process? Thanks.
> >
> > With my Latitude, I received 4 CDs. (1) Operating System,
> > (2) Device Drivers, (3) Cyberlink PowerDVD software, and
> > (4) Roxio software.
> >
> > With things like RealPlayer, Quicktime, etc. I wouldn't think
> > they would be on any of these CDs, but those can be downloaded.
> > With the device drivers, you should be able to download
> > everything from Dell's support website using your Service Tag
> > number.
>
> Actually I'm not that concerned with any of the third-party software
> that came with the PC. I'm more concerned about the basic hardware
> drivers like the display, CD/DVD drive, internal modem and ethernet
> adapter. Shouldn't these be on the reinstallation CD and install
> automatically on a clean install? Also, there's a 16MB FAT partition
> on my hard drive. Can I safely delete it and just make one partition
> of the whole drive? Thanks. (P.S. I've already tried a repair
install.)
No, they shouldn't be on an XP CD. Why would Microsoft keep up with the
drivers for every possible computer?
You should have received a Drivers CD too. You could use that, but
there are likely newer drivers available, which is why I suggested you
download them.
I, for one, much prefer a real XP CD than a reimage CD. I particularly
like the Dell combination of a real CD and a reinstallation partition.
Unfortunately, you killed that option.
The small partition is for diagnostics. Personally, I'd keep it, but you
can safely delete it. You can get the same diags by booting the
resource/drivers CD.
Using the reinstallation CD 
Linear Mode
