How to Restore Dell Windows XP

Before you run PC Restore
1. Before you do anything else, copy all your computer files to CD or DVD, or write them to a flash drive.
2. Disconnect all printers, scanners, external drives and other peripherals.
3. Depending on the severity of the computer problems you're having, you might not even need to run Dell's PC Restore program. Microsoft's System Restore program can solve a multitude of Windows XP-related problems. Go to the Start menu and then select 'Accessories/System Tools/System Restore.' The program will prompt you to choose a date and time to restore your system to. Afterwards, reboot your computer and reconnect your peripheral devices. Did Microsoft System Restore solve your problem? If not, proceed to the next section.
Running Dell PC Restore
4. If you haven't backed up your files yet, do it now.
5. Reboot your computer.
6. Watch for the Dell splash screen to appear. When it does, hold down the 'Ctrl' key and then press 'F11.'
7. The 'Dell PC Restore by Symantec' window appears. Choose 'Restore.'
8. Press 'Confirm' to acknowledge that all existing data on your computer will be lost.
9. A progress bar appears. In less than ten minutes, it will go away and you'll see a message that the recovery was successful.
10. Now you can put the files you saved in Section 1, Step 1 back on your computer.