Welcome to the Community. Try restoring using the Windows Disc. You will need to boot of the windows disc, so put in the disc, turn on the computer, and press the F12 key at the Dell Logo, select CD/DVD and press enter, press any key to boot from cd. Once it comes up to the Install Now screen, do not click on Install Now, click on repair my computer, at the bottom right, sign on using your user name, to access the recovery option, and Dell factory restore.
Note, if you have formatted the entire hard drive or the recovery partition in the past, then you have lost the ability to restore your computer back to factory settings. Then then only option is to manually reinstall windows, you can use the below link for help.
That was helpful. I got to the install/repair page finally. Thanks for the instruction on how to get there.
I cannot repair as I have already retored to factory settings once before. I was unaware that it was a one time thing.
I followed the instructions on how to reinstall per your link, but it leads me back to the initial issue....product activation key. It will not accept the code I enter. Looks like Im stuck in a sort of vicious cycle.
I think I will just chalk this one up to a loss and bite the bullet and get a new laptop. Ive had this one for over 3 years now anyways, so an upgrade might be a good thing.
ieee488
4 Operator
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11.1K Posts
0
April 14th, 2012 13:00
http://www.goodells.net/dellrestore/
DELL-Royan S
4 Operator
•
3.8K Posts
0
April 15th, 2012 00:00
Hi,
Welcome to the Community. Try restoring using the Windows Disc. You will need to boot of the windows disc, so put in the disc, turn on the computer, and press the F12 key at the Dell Logo, select CD/DVD and press enter, press any key to boot from cd. Once it comes up to the Install Now screen, do not click on Install Now, click on repair my computer, at the bottom right, sign on using your user name, to access the recovery option, and Dell factory restore.
Note, if you have formatted the entire hard drive or the recovery partition in the past, then you have lost the ability to restore your computer back to factory settings. Then then only option is to manually reinstall windows, you can use the below link for help.
support.dell.com/.../document
Thank you
Royan
Philip_Yip
9 Legend
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16.1K Posts
0
April 15th, 2012 11:00
If you have the Dell Reinstallation DVD then you should not be prompted for a product key.
If you have the 25 digit product key on the COA (maybe under your battery) you may use retail media and phone activation.
See my wiki here for instructions,
kllrbee
2 Posts
0
April 15th, 2012 11:00
Thanks Royan,
That was helpful. I got to the install/repair page finally. Thanks for the instruction on how to get there.
I cannot repair as I have already retored to factory settings once before. I was unaware that it was a one time thing.
I followed the instructions on how to reinstall per your link, but it leads me back to the initial issue....product activation key. It will not accept the code I enter. Looks like Im stuck in a sort of vicious cycle.
I think I will just chalk this one up to a loss and bite the bullet and get a new laptop. Ive had this one for over 3 years now anyways, so an upgrade might be a good thing.
Thanks for the help!