How to Reinstall a Windows Operating
System
By
Corey Sandler from
Fix Your Own Computer For Seniors For Dummies
When you buy a new PC from a retailer or directly from a
manufacturer, it ordinarily comes with a version of the Windows
operatingsystem already installed. However, if you’re
experiencing issues, reinstalling Windows should fix almost any problem.
Reinstallation works best if:
The manufacturer
supplied a restore disk with the computer. That disk returns a PC to its
original factory-delivered state. If you don’t have a restore disk, you have to
perform an ordinary installation from the original Windows discs.
Your computer is able
to start, and you can get to the operating system.
You can make backup
copies of all your personal data.
Be sure to keep the alphanumeric product key that came with your
Windows installation disc. You can’t install Windows properly without this key.
To reinstall Windows:
1.Make
copies of all the personal files on your computer.
Remember that a complete reinstallation wipes the hard drive
clean, removing all
software and all your personal files. You don’t
need to make backup copies of your software programs; you’ll need to reinstall
those programs anyway when Windows is back in place.
2.Choose
Start→Turn Off Computer→Restart to restart your computer and watch the screen
carefully.
You should see a message to press a
function key (F2 probably) or another key
combination to enter the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) screen.
3.Press
the designated key or key combination.
You have only a few seconds to press this key to interrupt the
startup process and enter the BIOS screen.
4.Look
for an option called First Boot Device, Boot Sequence, or something similar;
press the arrow keys on your keyboard to select this field and then press Enter.
You may have to select Advanced Options or another submenu to
find it.
5.In
the resulting screen, select CDROM/DVD and then press the Esc key until you
return to the main BIOS screen. Follow the onscreen instructions to save your
new settings and exit BIOS setup.
Your computer will restart from the CD/DVD drive.
6.Insert
your Windows installation CD into the drive and then restart your computer.
Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7
present slightly different startup screens.
These steps describe the Windows 7 procedure, but the procedures in Windows XP
and Vista are similar. The object is to get through the opening screens to the
custom install screen, where you can reformat your hard drive and begin a clean
installation.
7.In
the startup screen, select the Install Now option. In the next screen, select I
Accept the License Terms and click the Next button.
You’re asked what kind of installation you want to do.
8.Select
Custom (Advanced). If you’re given a choice of partitions, select the larger
partition for your Windows installation.
In most cases, you have only one or two choices: maybe a small
partition (200MB or so) and a large one (30GB–100GB or larger).
9.9.In
the next screen, click Advanced to expand the options at the bottom of the
screen and choose the option to reformat your drive. Follow the onscreen
instructions to reformat your drive and install Windows.
You’re prompted to enter the Windows product key. This key — a
set of 25 letters and numbers — may be on the Windows CD/DVD case or on a
separate sheet of paper that came with the software. Some manufacturers also
place a copy of the key on a sticker affixed to the computer case.
10.Follow
the onscreen instructions to complete the installation.
You’re all done!