Restoring Dimension E310 to Factory Settings without CD

RestoreMe

Has the Dell factory installed hard drive been replaced?

If not and as you have XP, then you should have Dell's PC Restore by Symantec Utility on the hard drive, that restores the system to factory condition.

When the Dell splash screen appears during the computer startup process, press and hold and then press .

Then, release both keys at the same time.

For more info, go here:

<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>

Bev.

You might find a recovery disk on eBay, but then again, you probably don't want to be spending any more money.

RestoreMe

If Dell's PC Restore by Symantec Utility if not available, or is corrupt and as you don't have a Dell XP reinstallation disc, other than buying a replacement disc, the best you can do, is to wipe all the data from the hard drive using data destruction program and let the new owner's install their own operating system.

I've found Darik's Boot and Nuke, very effective for erasing all the data from a hard drive.

http://dban.sourceforge.net/faq/index.html

Bev.

If the option isn't there then you have to perform a manual installation and for this you need an XP Reinstallation CD.

As XP is reaching its End of Life Dell may charge you for the reinstallation CD or be unable to provide you with a Reinstallation CD in some regions.

You can likely see if a friend has a Dell Windows XP Home Reinstallation CD and use that otherwise securely wipe the system using DBAN as mentioned and let the new owner worry about installation of Windows.

Any XP Home disc can be used, provided it has a valid product key. After installation, use the Microsoft product key utility to activate using the product key on the Dell COA.