Knowledge Base

This article provides information on to recover your Dell Ubuntu image using either a recovery partition or removable media on your Dell PC.

Table of Contents:

1. Recovering the Dell/Ubuntu Image on your Dell PC
2. Reinstalling from the Hard Drive
3. Reinstalling from DVD or USB key
4. Reinstalling from Live Media

1. Recovering the Dell/Ubuntu Image on your Dell PC

These instructions presuppose that you have either purchased a Dell PC with an Ubuntu recovery partition already installed or have run through the create a recovery image process prior to you actually needing to recover anything.

You can find the instructions for this process below, however your machine needs to be in a working condition for this to work and it is best done before you load any information onto the system.

• How to create a Dell/Ubuntu Image on your Dell PC

If you haven't got a recovery partition or media, then you will probably be best to go one of the links below if you have a notebook or desktop system and select another article that better suits your requirements.

• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Ubuntu operating system on a Dell PC

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2. Reinstalling from the Hard Drive

This OS re-install option can be used to restore the system to its original factory settings from a partition on your Hard Drive.

1. Restart your PC. Start tapping the ESC key after you see the Dell logo to invoke the GRUB menu.

2. Choose Reinstall Operating System.

3. Follow the instructions you see on the screen. i.e. Type ERASE.

   When the installation begins you will get a progress screen up.

4. When its finished the system will run the OEM Configuration Wizard which allows you to choose system language & location, time zone, keyboard layout and first user.

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3. Reinstalling from the DVD or USB key

Directions for recovering from a DVD or USB key created from an ISO from media created by Recovery Media Creator.

1. Restart the PC and tap rapidly on the F12 key, when you see the Dell logo appear. Select the CD/DVD drive or USB key from the boot once menu that appears. Whichever is appropriate to the media you have.

2. The boot menu is similar to an Ubuntu disk. Choose the appropriate recovery option.

   1. Automatic reinstallation - will cause all data to be erased. This is the closest to a factory installation.

   2. Interactive installation - will allow you to resize the existing partition(s) to fit the OS partition. Choose this one if you want to keep your previous OS.

3. The next steps depends on your choice.

   1. Choosing Dell Automatic Reinstallation will show the following screen. Follow the instructions you see on the screen. i.e. Type ERASE.

   2. Choosing Dell Interactive Installation, will show the interactive partition screen.

4. It will continue to boot. The installer will reconstruct itself on the hard drive before beginning. You will see the following screen with a flashing progress bar for about 10-20 minutes before it starts.

5. At this point it will be ask you to remove the DVD or USB key to continue the restoration. The PC restarts when you press the ENTER key.

Directions for using a Dell Hosted Recovery Image

1. Dell now hosts a recovery image online for it's newer systems and Operating systems. Check if this option will work for you by clicking on the link below and entering your Service Tag from the affected PC.

   • Dell Linux Recovery Image

2. If you get the option to download a recovery image for your system, please follow the instructions in the article below.

   • How to use the Dell Hosted Recovery Image of Linux

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4. Reinstalling from Live Media

When an upgrade or driver has failed sometimes reinstalling the operating system is the quickest way to solve the problem.

When reinstalling, you're most likely want to keep two things:

• /home folder with your files and settings
• Entries in the boot menu (If you have multiple Operating Systems installed)

Since Version 8.04 you can reinstall the Ubuntu operating system without losing the content of the /home folder (The folder that contains program settings, internet bookmarks, emails and all your documents, music, videos and other user files). This can be done even if /home is not on a separate partition (Which is the case by default if you did not manually separate it when installing Ubuntu originally).

Carry out the following steps:

1. Run the Ubuntu installer

2. Follow the prompts until the Installation type (or Allocate disk space) menu

3. Choose manual partitioning (Something-else option), then select Ubuntu system partition, set its mount point as /. Be sure to keep the same format type, the same size, and untick the Format checkbox or all data on / will be deleted!. Also set other partitions (/boot, /home) if needed

4. Then finish the installation process. (This may take several hours, like a normal install)

5. After reinstalling, user accounts must be re-created with the same login and password

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Additional Information :

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