Assuming this is XP, if you have a restore partition, right after the initial boot screen is a 2-second blank screen with a blue "www.dell.com" bar along the top, and a very brief flash of text saying "Loading PBR Descriptor 2 - done". That screen is when the CTRL-F11 keys can access the partition.
Some systems might have C:\Dell\Utilities\DSR\boot_dsr.exe to reboot directly into the restore partition, if you want to try to access it through the command line, but no idea if you have it or if it will work.
Note that the ability to boot to the Restore Partition with the CTRL-F11 keystrokes depends on both the hidden restore partition and the boot record being undamaged. Depending on how bad the infection is the restore may not work - it may be repairable, but it takes some work, and may ultimately be better to just reinstall manually. See here for more on the PC Restore partition:
BELL BOY
1.1K Posts
0
September 5th, 2009 11:00
Don’t know your OS, XP or Vista?
If trying to resolve Malware problems, choices are:
1. Create a new post in the Malware Removal Forum, click here & let the experts help
2. Use Dell PC Restore, step-by-step procedure, click here
3. Do a Windows Clean install, step-by-step procedure, click here
Edit: Oooops must have been slow typing again when you posted Alexandra_P :emotion-5:
Alexandra_P
3 Apprentice
•
2.6K Posts
0
September 5th, 2009 11:00
See link below: Step 2 for how to use PC Restore (CTRL-F11 at boot for XP), step 3 for manual installation.
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?c=us&cs=19&docid=58E26A65A4388E4FE040AE0AB7E107E3&l=en&s=dhs
Assuming this is XP, if you have a restore partition, right after the initial boot screen is a 2-second blank screen with a blue "www.dell.com" bar along the top, and a very brief flash of text saying "Loading PBR Descriptor 2 - done". That screen is when the CTRL-F11 keys can access the partition.
Some systems might have C:\Dell\Utilities\DSR\boot_dsr.exe to reboot directly into the restore partition, if you want to try to access it through the command line, but no idea if you have it or if it will work.
Note that the ability to boot to the Restore Partition with the CTRL-F11 keystrokes depends on both the hidden restore partition and the boot record being undamaged. Depending on how bad the infection is the restore may not work - it may be repairable, but it takes some work, and may ultimately be better to just reinstall manually. See here for more on the PC Restore partition:
http://www.goodells.net/dellrestore/index.htm