System Restore Disk Reorder Help - Please!

HERE is the Dell replacement disc order form for US customers.  But there is no "restore" disc, you will get the Windows XP disc and a Drivers and Utilities disc with all the hardware drivers on it. 

If you have photos and music on this hard drive, they are probably lost, as when you do the new install you will have to reformat the hard drive and then install which will delete any user data.  Since the PC has a virus and I assume you can't get rid of the virus, if you copy the user data to CD's or another hard drive the virus will attach to the new disc(s) and when you try to restore the photos and music it will infect the clean hard drive. 

Another sad lesson on doing periodic backups, of at a minimum user data.  Not for if it ever will be needed, but for when it will be needed.

Thanks for the reply and information.   The photos and files are backed up but the music was not.   I have all the disks the pc came with including the Windows XP Disk and drivers for the printer, dvd, cd rom and even the monitor install disk.   However, those disks will not restore the pc to brand new will they?  

I basically want to start fresh and I don't think drivers and Windows will do that.   Am I wrong?  Thank you for helping.

If you have the Windows Disc and the Drivers and Utilities that will allow you to do a complete clean install (including reformatting the hard drive).

The basic install sequence is (1) Install Windows (2) Install Intel chipset drivers (3) Install device drivers such as sound, video, ethernet, etc.

HERE is the Dell reinstall instructions. 

If I understand correctly, your system has a virus, rather than a failed hard drive. Will it still boot to the desktop?

Have you tried to remove the malware? If you're desperate to save the files that aren't backed up, you should go to the Malware Removal forum. Read the 2 announements at the top of the page and then follow the instructions to post a Hijack This log on that forum. The experts over there will help you clean the system.

If all you want  is to get a clean install of Windows, reboot and press Ctrl-F11 before XP starts to load. Follow the prompts to launch PC Restore. It will reset the hard drive to exactly the way Dell shipped it. You will lose everything on the hard drive, and you will have to download and reinstall SP3 and all other Windows updates. But that's a lot faster than reformatting the hard drive and reinstalling everything. And you can do this yourself without having to pay anybody to do it.

Note: PC Restore is only available on systems shipped after 14-July 2004, and only if the hard drive has not previously been reformatted or replaced.

Ron

The link I gave you in my original post will take you to the web page to request a set of replacement discs for registered (registered with Dell) customers in the US.   If you are not in the US there are some similar provisions but I don't have the information on that. 

HERE is the Dell procedure for a manual install.  Basically, boot from the Windows CD, reformat the hard drive then (1) Install Windows (2) Install Intel chipset drivers (3)Install device drivers including Sound, Video, Ethernet, etc.  DO NOT skip the chipset drivers, they define what devices are on or attached to the motherboard and are key to a successful reinstall.

What is comical about this situation is that I have been on hold and calling Dell since my last post and a Dell moderator has not responded to this post either.   Are there Dell moderators even on here?  

When calling Dell support, I explain what I need, sit on hold and then get cut off after waiting for 20 - 30 minutes.  I forgot how HORRIBLE customer support was for Dell.   Just trying to order a recovery disk, why is this a problem?   

Good Morning,

The harddrive is not failed however this virus got me pretty good.    I've taken the PC to geek squad and they have tried everything.   The PC will not boot to safe mode, do system restore, nothing.   It is beyond "hijack this" postings, etc.   I have done that and my last resort was the geek squad.    It boots to the BSOD and many dll files are missing and now corrupt.    All I want is a clean start with the PC hence I need the system restore disks.   I've seen other postings on dells forums where people are purchasing these restore disks and they are the ones that stated Dell should provide me with this because it provides their other customers with the disks as well.

I start with a clean pc or otherwise it is trash.

Thanks

I placed an inquiry however they stated I must purchase Dell Support for $50 to even order the disks!

Oh and PC restore is not an option.   It boots to the date the virus corrupted everything.  

Thank you, Veronica

Did you fill out the replacement disk order form that I linked you to? THIS is the link to the order form again.  There is no need to call Dell, just fill out the forum, as long as you meet all the requirements for the free disk replacement.   If you do not qualify for the free disk replacement, you will have to buy a Windows XP disk; the least expensive is to buy an OEM version of Windows XP at on-line places such as www.newegg.com   Dell does not support Vista on this model so I wouldn't try to upgrade to Windows 7 as there are no drivers for Vista or Windows 7.

You can download all the needed chipset and device drivers from the Dell downloads  HERE

This is a users helping users forum, it's not a "direct line to contact Dell" and moderators don't normally jump into problem posts.

Fireberd, for whatever reason I could not navigate to the link directly.   I have completed the form and received a reply.   Dell is sending me the disks - I am amazed and most appreciative.   I found other forums where I was directed to a phone number for CS to call and request the form.   They stated I had to pay for tech support since my warranty expired, etc etc.   Thank you for your help and all the information.    I was getting frustrated.   Thank you again. 

Great, glad you finally got the issue resolved.  It took a while but we accomplished it. 

Fireberd - you rock. You gave me more help than every single one of my Dell "assistance" attempts combined. Dell Bytes. I will never - Ever buy another Dell computer again. But thank you - I used your link and accomplished in seconds what I spent weeks trying to get out of Dell directly.

Lots of good karma coming your way.

Thanks!

can i still get the recovery back up disk even my warranty expired?

i sent them a form and got a reply but no confirmation that they will send it to me.

i got this reply:

I recently (Dec'09) got a replacement XP CD for my system even though the warranty expired a few years ago. It came within 3 days of submitting the form.

Ron