Setup guide

12 Configuring Your Operating System
The Dell PowerEdge Installation and Server Management media guides you
through the operating system installation procedure and installs the
Dell-specific device drivers that are not on the operating system media.
NOTICE: During the installation procedure, all data is erased from your
hard drive. Dell recommends that you back up your data before you perform
this procedure.
For detailed steps on performing a clean installation of the operating system
using the Dell PowerEdge Installation and Server Management media,
see the Installation and Setup Guide located on the documentation
website at www.dell.com/ostechsheets.
Using the Operating System Media to Perform
a Clean Installation of the Operating System
Dell strongly recommends that you use the Dell PowerEdge Installation
and Server Management media to install the operating system. Only
advanced users should install the operating system using the operating
system media.
The Dell PowerEdge Installation and Server Management media contains
the latest drivers available at the time you purchased your Dell system.
If you use the operating system media to install the operating system, you
must install the latest device drivers located on the Dell PowerEdge Service
and Diagnostic Utilities media. You can also download the drivers from
the Dell Support website at support.dell.com/support/downloads.
To determine which devices require drivers, boot your system from the
Dell PowerEdge Installation and Server Management media and select
View Hardware in the Welcome to Dell OpenManage™ Server Assistant
window. The devices installed on your system are listed on the screen.
For detailed steps on performing a clean installation of the operating
system using the Windows Server 2003 R2, Standard, Enterprise, and
Web Editions with SP2 media, see the Installation and Setup Guide
located on the documentation website at www.dell.com/ostechsheets.