Hi Scarfell,

The key combination is Ctrl-F11. Here are the instructions.

Two things to mention. First, getting the timing of Ctrl-F11 is extremely tricky. You may want to refer to this site for more information.

Second, if at any time the hard drive was completely formatted, you no longer have the PC Restore partition and it won't work. What you would need to do is purchase a Dell XP disc (available on Ebay and many other places), and perform a manual reinstallation. I've got a link to Natakuc's clean install guides below.

I’ve tried Ctr F11 numerous times without success but will look at your other suggestions.

Thanks very much for your help.

Hello  ScarFell.

Try this F12 on Dell logo screen then boot to utility partition. Does that load up dell diagnostics.

I updated mine with the dell downloads and have trouble getting that To work.

It freezes there. But the 49mb partition is still there.

Anyway can you still get in to Windows XP home Edition. If you can do this.

Go to Start Menu, All programs, Dell Accessories, Dell OS recovery CD. Then burn it to a CDR.

You can get them at a computer hardware shop.

Hi Electromagnet,

When I try your F12 option it responds “not available”.

Unfortunately, on your second option, I don’t have Dell accessories therefore I can’t access the Dell OS recovery CD you refer to.

I’ve tried numerous routes to buy a legitimate Dell OS recovery CD, again without success.

My original shipping paperwork shows the computer to be 2006 and its age is undoubtedly the reason for the loss of support.

I’m looking into Osprey’s suggestion for manual access to the partition but this may be a step too far for me.

Thanks very much for your help, it’s much appreciated.

Did you check Ebay? I see lots of listings, although I don't specifically see anything shipping to the UK.

Hi Osprey,

I did look through Ebay at one time but many of the product reviews were poor and as some were suspisious I backed off..

However, after many fruitless search efforts, I eventually managed to contact a real person at Dell Uk support.

I am pleased to say that in less than a minute of live conversation he understood my problem and I was able to order a set of PC recovery Disks which is now on its way. (and just arrived!).

I’ll let you know if I have a successful outcome.

Thanks again to you and Electomagnet's assistance.

Hey how did you order the PC Recovery discs. Did you talk on phone or online chat.

What discs did you get and how did you order them. Just curious, if my PC ever goes bad.

I got a Dell OS recovery CD I made from the Dell Accessories on my PC.

But the other partitions I would like to get. Also for any other people that get here for help too.

Wow, that's great to hear. I was unsure whether they still provided discs for systems that old.

Hi Osprey and electromagnetic,

I’m not that happy with the disks I received. I was told that they would “return the computer to its original state”

I haven’t yet been able to reach full functionality since one of the disks is not compatible.

I’ll get back to you as soon as can.

ScarFell,

These are not true recovery discs. They should have sent your a Windows XP Reinstallation disc. You'll need to follow Natakuc's clean install guide (link below) to restore full functionality.

Hi,

I have followed your advice, as I should have done originally, and looked carefully at your Natacuk’s link. The advice there is sound.

The discs I received from Del were:-

1   Operating System reinstallation DVD. MS windows XP media centre edition 2005 with update roll up2 P/N FF85

2   Drivers and Utilities. Dell OptiPlex Resource CD for windows XP Professional x64 Edition P/N YD864 Rev AO3

3   Application. For reinstalling Cyberlink PowerDVD 9.5 and remote media 1.6 P/N 2Y26F

4  Roxio creator starter backuo disc.

I’ve only used disc 1. As yet I’ve not needed to go further since my personal preference is to keep the PC as clean as possible and free of bloatware.

Disc 1 ran successfully, starting with my user licence and very much a matter of “following the bouncing ball”. This loaded the OS but I was unable to connect to the Internet. With Dell’s advice using the Driver R105478 from: http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/uk/en/ukdhs1/Product/dimension-3100  I was able to go online.

The remaining steps I took seem to work (probably through good look than good management)

Loaded Norton 360 (with user licence)

Downloaded SP3 from   http:/www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id-24

Downloaded Microsoft updates

Downloaded Explorer 8

Downloaded Java

Downloaded Adobe Reader + Flash Player

Loaded MS outlook and MS Word from my MS Office disc.

There are sure to be other things to sort out but the computer seems to be running ok so I may leave well alone.

I’m hoping to get a new computer in near future but would like to keep this tuned up Dell as my second PC.

Thanks again for your advice. Much appreciated.

Excellent. And of course Natakuc gets credit for his great Wiki.

I bought my mother-in-law that same model and she's still using it happily after all these years.