Before reinstalling the Windows XP operating system to correct a problem, try correcting the problem by using Windows System Restore (see "Using Microsoft® Windows® System Restore").
NOTICE: The Operating System CD provides options for reinstalling the
Windows XP operating system. The options can potentially overwrite files
installed by Dell and possibly affect programs installed on your hard drive.
Therefore, Dell does not recommend that you reinstall your operating system
unless instructed to do so by a Dell technical support representative.
HINT: The CD that you
need to place in your CD
or DVD drive is titled
Operating System.
Insert the Operating System CD.
Shut down the Dell computer, and then turn on the computer.
Press any key when the Press any key to boot from CD message
appears on the screen.
When the Windows XP Setup screen appears, press
to
select To set up Windows now.
Read the information in the License Agreement window, and then
press
to agree with the license information.
If your computer already has Windows XP installed and you want to
recover your current Windows XP data, type r to select the repair
option, and then go to step 15.
If you want to install a new copy of Windows XP, press
to select the fresh copy option and then press
to select the highlighted partition (recommended). Then follow the instructions on the screen.
The Windows XP Setup screen appears and Windows XP begins to
copy files and install the device drivers. The computer automatically
restarts multiple times before it requires additional input.
When the Welcome to Microsoft screen appears, click the green arrow
icon at the bottom of the screen to continue. Then follow the
instructions on the screen to finish the installation.
When the Regional Settings screen appears, select the settings for
your locale, and then click Next.
Enter your name and organization in the Personalize Your Software
screen, and then click Next.
If you are reinstalling Windows XP Home Edition, enter a name for your
computer when the Computer Name window appears, and then click
Next.
If you are reinstalling Windows XP Professional, enter a name for your computer and a password when the Computer Name and Administrator Password window appears, and then click Next.
If you have a modem installed, the Modem Dialing Information
screen appears. Enter the requested information and click Next.
Enter the date, time, and time zone in the Date and Time Settings
window and click Next.
If your computer has a network adapter, select the appropriate network
settings. If your computer does not have a network adapter, you do not
see this option.
Windows XP begins to install its components and configure the computer. The computer automatically restarts.
When the Welcome to Microsoft screen appears, click the green arrow
icon at the bottom of the screen to continue. Then follow the
instructions on the screen to complete the installation.
to
select To set up Windows now.
to agree with the license information.
to select the fresh copy option and then press 
to select the highlighted partition (recommended). Then follow the instructions on the screen.