How do I Install the Factory.WIM when the PC Restore Does not work?

Question

Hi guys! I am new in this forum, and I have a doubt. I recently acquire a XPS m1330 laptop, and I had to delete the partitions of my laptop (using the Dell Media Direct and I made new partitions). I also did made a backup of the RECOVERY Partition before deleting the HDD partitions. I wanted to use the factory.Wim to restore the PC. I have tried the F8 method and it simply does not worked (I used the WINDOWS VISTA installation disk to install the OS). I have also tried to use the PC Restore from Windows Vista, and when the software is supposed to format the C drive, shows a error, but without any message. I need to restore the PC as it came from the factory. Can anyone help me with this? I was reading that there is a way to do it using the VISTA DVD. I will realy appreciate your assistance Thanks on advance. El Rocko

mombodog · Answer

'I need to restore the PC as it came from the factory.'   No one here has posted how to do this when the partitions have been deleted or altered   Once you deleted the partition structure you cannot restore it back to factory. I have found no articles as of yet that describe how to rebuild the Factory Dell Partition Structure.   There may be a way to use the factory WIM file to restore the C partition, but I have not read anywhere about doing that either, sorry.   You are left with a Clean install of Vista as far as I know.

heartsseeker · Answer

Hi i am Ahmed Ghoniem from EGYPT i did it and i want to show you how

first you will need the file imagex you will found it in folder tools in your recover Partition if you dont have it send me
and i will send it to you now you will need also your vista dvd boot it and select repair and choose command line then

you will go to imagex folder throw the cmd and write this (imagex apply "the path of your factory.win file" 1 "the one number is needed so write it" then write C:\ "ex:- >imagex apply D:\factory.wim 1 C:\"

thats it thanks for reading my replay

last note its works for me so try it at your own dont plam me if you did something wrong and for any problem send me i may help

EvoXPS · Answer

I had the same problem... i was able to solve it peacefully...   My problem: 1- I Copied the RECOVERY partition into DVD. (All the files) 2- I Deleted the two main Partitions. (C & D). 3- I Installed Windows XP. 4- Wanted to restore factory setting into my laptop after few months.   How to restore it:   first of all i had the 160 Gb HD installed in my laptop. I had 2.4GB partition 4 for Media Direct. Another hidden partition 1 for diagnostic tools.   those two partitions i didn't touch. but i dont think it will affect u if u missed with them.   what i wanted to do is to restore it like it was when i first bought it. 4 partitions.. and i succeeded..   or consider urself want to have at least two partitions (including recovery partition)   so here is what u have to do,   boot the vista DVD.   go on with the installation untill u reach HD utility.   first delete all the partitions u don't want..   then make the recovery partition. (size doesn't matter) in my case i made it (10300 kbytes) note (it should be before the main partition)   then make ur second (main) partition where u want to recover ur windows on. in my case (139656 kbytes)   then format both of them.   now u have (C:\ & D:\) where C:\ is the RECOVERY partition (it is important)   and D:\ is the Main partition which will be C:\ in the future. u just got to believe it.   then exit the installation window by clicking at the top right X buttom.   now.. go to repair my windows---> click continue or next ---> then go to DOS prompt..   eject the Vista DVD and insert ur RECOVERY DVD... which include factory.wim image. in my case this DVD contain all the files belong the the old RECOVERY partition when i first bought my laptop.   there is an important tool in (tools) folder which is (imagex.exe)   so in the DOS prompt. type:   ---------- e:   cd tools   imagex /apply e:\dell\image\factory.wim 1 d:\ ----------   then u will see the prosess, wait 11 minuts untill it finishes.. and the program will return (success)   then type: exit to close the DOS window.   then press: repair startup   and continue untill it gives u finish... then the laptop will reboot..     ENJOY... U restored ur LAPTOP into factory setting....   the only thing u have to do next is to try to copy all the files in RECOVERY DVD into D:\ which is RECOVERY partition.   hope every thing is clear...

mombodog · Answer

Thanks Evo, somebody finally did it.

mombodog · Answer

EvoXPS, check your private messages, white envelope at the top of this page.

natalino_09dad4 · Answer

Thank you EvoXPS!!! I had the same problem, i solved it!  :smileyvery-happy:

hotmins · Answer

Hi there,

Read your post and must say u really found a way around....i've tried the same but there seems to be a minor problem as the pcrestore.exe was deleted...

So here is my ques...

IS THE PCRESTORE.EXE SAME FOR ALL SYSTEMS??? If yes where can i get it ?...

Regards,

Minesh.

Inspiron 1720

C3PO5 · Answer

Hi Minesh

Yes PCRestore.exe is the same for all Dell computers that uses Vista .

I still have the tools folder in a zip file i can email you i sent a email to out

yesterday so he could use the zip tools files !

Send me a personal message with your email address if i can help you!

saabbir · Answer

hey i ve no such folder called Tools neither imagex.exe but i ve the factory.wim file in my recovery drive exactly where u told. now i cant restore my dell studio 1555 to its factory setting. i need it badly. tomorrow afternoon is my exam but still i ve not done any study but looking for a solution. feeling like m gna go mad.... help me.

thanx in advance

sabbir

dorbsylinks · Answer

I restored my my Dell Inspiron N4110 to factory restore and after that the network card, smart card reader,WLAN and 3.0 USB port are not functioning.Please I need your help.Thank you.

Windows General

How do I Install the Factory.WIM when the PC Restore Does not work?

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