Unfortunately, the step and process you found is not for restore to factory default state. Pressing F8 does show the Windows Advanced Options Menu, but that won't let restoring the PC to factory default state. This menu has options that lets you repair Windows alone.
To restore the PC to factory default state, press Ctrl+F11 immediately when you see the Dell logo while turning on the PC/restarting the PC. This will start the built-in Dell recovery that'll restore the PC to factory default state. But before proceeding, make sure your important/personal files are backed up.
The first thing to do is run a hard drive diagnostic - F12 at powerup. If the drive fails, replace it.
It's unlikely you'll get Dell to supply a recovery disc on a system this old, so if it becomes necessary to do a reload, you'll need to purchase a copy of Windows for it (minimum of Windows 7, since XP is no longer available for purchase).
Balaji M Kundal
235 Posts
0
May 13th, 2014 23:00
Unfortunately, the step and process you found is not for restore to factory default state. Pressing F8 does show the Windows Advanced Options Menu, but that won't let restoring the PC to factory default state. This menu has options that lets you repair Windows alone.
To restore the PC to factory default state, press Ctrl+F11 immediately when you see the Dell logo while turning on the PC/restarting the PC. This will start the built-in Dell recovery that'll restore the PC to factory default state. But before proceeding, make sure your important/personal files are backed up.
joseph1966
2 Posts
0
July 25th, 2014 11:00
hi
unfortunately Ctrl-F11 does not work with me.
windows keep showing the missing or corrupt hal.dll.
i don't have any CDs that might come with D620.
appreciate any help.
ejn63
9 Legend
•
87.5K Posts
0
July 25th, 2014 11:00
The first thing to do is run a hard drive diagnostic - F12 at powerup. If the drive fails, replace it.
It's unlikely you'll get Dell to supply a recovery disc on a system this old, so if it becomes necessary to do a reload, you'll need to purchase a copy of Windows for it (minimum of Windows 7, since XP is no longer available for purchase).
Philip_Yip
9 Legend
•
16.1K Posts
0
July 25th, 2014 16:00
Are you trying to restore Windows Vista or Windows XP to factory settings?
Ctrl and F11 is for Windows XP → End of Life Reinstallation should be avoided
Tapping F8 is for Windows Vista → If the Dell DataSafeoption does not display you must manually install.
Before installation run full system diagnostics as instructed here:
http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/f12-preboot-diagnostics/
Then for Windows Vista follow the instructions here:
http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/download-microsoft-windows-and-office/download-microsoft-windows/download-vista-sp1-iso/
Likely in this model you will need to use the 32 Bit version unless you have a T7200, T7400 or T7600 CPU installed.
See here for instructions in carrying out a clean install:
http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/a-clean-install-of-windows/
You may also take the opportunity to upgrade to Windows 7 and a SSD:
http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/hardware-upgrades-for-your-system/upgrading-to-a-solid-state-drive/