Factory Restore on a Inspiron 570

How did you create the discs?  Windows 7 has a backup but looking at the instructions from Microsoft  Click Me  it looks like you need to have Windows installed.  I suspect you will need the Dell Windows 7 disc (and drivers) to install. If you are in the US, HERE is the Dell disc request form.

I used the utility provided by Dell to create a full restore disk set.  This was done before the

hard drive croaked.  Supposedly this set will perform a function similiar to the recovery

partition, restoring to factory condition.  Since the original hard dirve is not detected, using

the partition is not possible.

According to the THIS Dell procedure if you created the backup with Dell DataSafe you need the Recovery Partition.   As you don't have this you will have to do the "manual" install which requires discs.  If you are still in warranty, call Dell support.  If not, use the link I provided in my original post to request a set of "backup" discs from Dell.

Dell Manual Install procedure.

Hello Phoenix_2112

You should use a drive same size as the original disk. Not that it needs that much

in size as it tries to maintain disk structure. This is a microsoft deal not Dell. You will

have same problem if you use Win 7 backup and recovery. If you get a set of disk

you will have no problem installing win 7 to a 500 GB drive. If you do get a set of

disk you will need to install all your drivers in correct order. Or you can get a larger

drive. Seems like that one time make your own set of recovery disk doesn't work

when you down size the drive.

Hope this helps.

Tom

Thanks to all for the help.  I ordered a 1TB drive, according to what I'm reading from Dell's site

I should be able to do a factory restore from the disks I created.