Xp reinstall dvd

I have a Dell Inspiron E1505, 100 gig drive 2.0 processor, 2 gig of ram, and XP media center.
The dvd that came with it says the following:
OPERATING SYSTEM
ALREADY INSTALLED ON YOUR COMPUTER
Rinstallation DVD
Microsoft Window XP Media Version2005 with Update Rollup 2.

The laptop was purchased new from Dell in December 2007.

My question is this: Back when I had my first PC, I had Windows 95, and one could install the DVD-CD and it would chck one's PC for errors in the operating system. (I think that is how I remember it---95 was such a long time ago).
Will the above DVD do the same thing?
Thank you
scott

 

When you boot from cd it should prompt for setup or repair. Here's a link for a clean install but you should see the initial screen
http://www.youcanbuildapc.com/computer_assembly/windows_xp_software_installation.shtml

 

Please excuse my lack of knowledge, but your web site was for XP Prof. Also, it stated if I were to do a full install, I would need the product number which I do not have. Yes I was to see if there are any thing that NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED, AND I DO NOT want to do a FULL INSTALL.
So are you saying this reinstall DVD will show a "repair option".
Do understand this, I am not smart at this stuff......
THANK YOU
SCOTT

 

Instructions for doing a repair install (on any version of XP) can be found :
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
A more concise, but not as informative, XP repair guide is available through Microsoft:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/doug92.mspx

 

Thank you both for your help. I am trying to find out from Dell if this "Reinstalltion DVD" is the same as the Original CD from Microsoft for XP Media.
But as usual DELL is no help! I have chatted online with them and they cannot tell me if this is a resource cd or what.

 

Mark, that is what I am trying to find out. What kind of CD this is.
I am waiting to hear from the (DELL), but if i hold my breath, i surely will be gone before it gets here, and more than likely it won't tell me what I need to know.
Thanks to all you....I do appreciate your help and your patience with my ignorance....
scott

 

Ok, Mark, I understand what you are saying, and YES that is what I needed to know!
You all, are great bunch of people, and I sincerly appreciate your help.
thanks
scott

 

Normally if you buy a machine with a pre-installed OS there is a facility to make recovery disks.

i don't know the Dell system but it should be in there.

i assume you are running Vista if so click "start" and in the search bar type "system recovery" and it should show you where to make recovery disks.

 

Hi Bill,
I am running XP Media, no Vista here.
But I have another TWO questions about this DVD.

If I place this DVD in and it gives me the option to "FIX" any problems,
1) will anything be deleted besides any "FIXES" it does?
I believe if there is a problem with a XP program, that it would delete it and then re-install it or fix it---right? 2) beside backing up my stuff, is there any thing else I should be aware of before I start this?

Gosh I hate this stuff......

thanks to all

 

Obviously this dvd thing may be over my head....
What about downloading one of these programs listed here in MG that do system checks?
I just saw one, that checked a lot things, and it is freeware, and I believe it had a high rating for the users.
I should have wrote it down.....
Or maybe someone could recommend a program???
thanks people!
have a great day!!!

 

The Dell COA key is not going to activate XP MCE if it ask for it. None of the keys are real.

Have you ever reformated your hard drive? If not most dells from 2003-04 come with a "FACTORY NEW" partion you can boot from-but it will ERASE EVERYTHING and be just like you opened it for the first time. When you boot it up push Ctrl and F12 I think. or maybe just F12 or F11. This is IF you haven't formated your hard drive since you bought it.Just back up all you data and do that if your having problems.But like i said ,you'll lose ALL your installed programs if you bought any!

 

Why not tell us the problem and maybe we can address that instead of going through this whole "will this DVD work" problem.... a fix may be much easier...
:-D

 

The problem has been resolved
SO I thank you all for your help and input!
have a good one
scott

 

the red letters hurt my head...... please be kind