Can't return to factory default setup

Question

I have a persistant but intermittant problem with Vista PM, that requires me to re-install back to original spec. I can get to the 'Advance Boot Options' (F8) easily enough, but when I select 'Repair Computer', the screen goes black....and then nothing at all. No disk activity or anything (no matter how long I leave it). Is there a program I can download that will prepare a Floppy disk (or cd etc) to Boot the machine straight into the setup of the repair partition (D: in this case)? I dont really want to use a Retail DVD of Vista, as then I would lose the use of the repair partition totally. [Oh, but I already have, havent I!]   I have USB FDD, USB Memroy stick, CF card, machines running XP or Linux, and LAN all available to use as necessary.   Any advice welcome.   Peter   Dimension E520 Pentium D 3.0 1 GB DDR2 RAM 1 x ST3160815AS on SATA RAID DVD-ROM & DVD-RW umpteen-in-one memory card slots.

C3PO5 · Answer

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?c=us&l=en&s=gen&docid=298A2E89689E13C2E040A68F5B280AA4&cs

Hi

Try the link above use the Vista DVD at boot press F 12 to boot the DVD then follow the directions

to get to repair my computer if this does not work ,did you repartition your hard drive at one time

if you did you have to remove the other partition !!

DO you still have the D:\Recovery partition??

Have you deleted any of the files on this drive ?

If this all fails to work you have to reinstall using the Vista DVD to make it work !!

Good Luck

oldnewbie1949 · Answer

Thank you C3PO5

I've looked through the article you linked to, and that looks as if it will do the job fine.

If it doesnt, the a full Retail reinstall will def be on the cards....but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it doesn't come to that.

It sort of covers the same route as with XP....but I just couldnt find the info no matter how I looked.

It's probably the usual thing when doing a search:

The most difficult part of finding the info you require is knowing just what question to ask.

I'll post back with success/failure, probably tomorrow.

Peter

C3PO5 · Answer

Hi

If you have the Dell Vista DVD you do not need to buy a retail Vista version .

Just use it to reinstall if it comes to that point !

Good Luck will be looking to see if you get it right with F 12 and the DVD .

oldnewbie1949 · Answer

So my reply got posted, but without any of the message I had composed.

Then I try to post the message again - and it fails saying it has detected Post Flooding....sounds to me as though water has got into the program somewhere and knackered it.

Powered by Lithium Technology? Seems more like stone to me.(*)

So I will try for the 3rd and final time:

I followed the Dell article and met with partial success.

I'm sure others would be fine using this method, but it was not for me.

(*)and at this point this submission was cut off by the program ...I have had to Edit to get this bit back in.

(*)and a second time!!!

Message Edited by oldnewbie1949 on 06-06-2008 02:38 PM

Message Edited by oldnewbie1949 on 06-06-2008 02:44 PM

C3PO5 · Answer

Hi In your PM to me a code 7 on the hard drive means the drive is bad or going bad ! That's why you are not able to use PCRestore without errors . Looks like a new drives is in order .

Windows General

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