Change System Settings

• 1). Restart your Inspiron 8100 and tap the F8 key during the boot process. Scroll down to the "Safe Mode" option and press Enter.
  
  
• 2). Open the "Start" menu and click "Control Panel." Double-click the "System" icon and go to the "Advanced" tab. Scroll down to the "Startup and Recovery" heading and click "Settings."
  
  
• 3). Check to see if the "Automatically Restart" box is checked. Click the box to remove the check if it is currently checked. Click "OK" and restart the computer again.
  
  

Reseat Memory Modules

• 1). Turn off the laptop and close the LCD lid. Unplug the power cable and turn over the laptop so the bottom is facing up. Slide the two plastic latches near the top of the case to the open position and pull the battery out of the laptop's battery port.
  
  
• 2). Remove the screw at the center of the case that holds the memory module cover with a Phillips screwdriver. Pull the black plastic cover off of the laptop.
  
  
• 3). Push aside the two metal tabs on the top and bottom edges of the first memory module. Pull the module upward and toward the left to remove it from the motherboard. Repeat the process for the second module.
  
  
• 4). Position the second module back over the motherboard port and hold the module at a 45 degree angle. Push the module until it snaps into position on the motherboard. Slide the metal tabs back into position. Repeat the process with the other memory module.
  
  
• 5). Place the cover back over the modules and replace the screw. Set the battery back into position at the top of the laptop's case and plug in the power cable.
  
  

Reinstall Operating System

• 1). Insert the Dell recovery disc into the Inspiron's disc drive. Power off the laptop and then turn it back on. Tap any key when the "Press any key" prompt appears at the bottom of the screen.
  
  
• 2). Select the time zone and language options you want to use from the drop-down menus and click "Next." Click "Install Now." Click the "I Accept" button and select "Custom."
  
  
• 3). Highlight the "Primary Partition" option and click "Next" to start the process of deleting all data on the computer and reinstalling the operating system. Wait for the operating system to restart automatically. Click "Next" at each prompt, then click "Finish."