How to re-install Vista with no CD ??? :(

Waheed Din,

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I'm having the same issue. Dell tech support wants to do a factory restore. This will lose all my daughters files on the computer. Unacceptable. Can the files be recovered first and/or backed up? Can Dell do this? I don't have the money to take it somewhere local. Too much $. Can I send it in to Dell? Please advise. Thank you for your help. (BTW, the computer was purchased earlier this year.)

Msmith29063,

If you can't find your Windows XP CD, surely you know someone who has a Windows XP SP2 CD.   And the answer is YES!  It is possible for YOU to do the backup when Windows is not workable.   As long as the hard drive is working, the data can most likely be backed up.

The Windows XP CD is needed to create a bootable UBCD for Windows.  The UBCD for Windows has utilities to back up your data to removable media such as a rewritable CD/DVD, USB drive, ZIP drive or other removable media.   Information on the UBCD for Windows is here:  www.ubcd4win.com.

If you can obtain a Windows XP CD, then I can walk you through creating the UBCD and using it to backup your data.

Tony

msmith29063,

Yes.  Your files can be backed up before you do a factory restore.  Do you have a Windows XP computer with a rewritable CD or DVD drive?  Do you have a Dell Reinstallation CD for Windows XP or a Microsoft Windows XP CD?

Tony

Yes. My Inspiron has a writeable CD drive. BUT, I can't find any CDs that came with my computer. Part of my problem. And is it possible for ME to do the back-up when Windows is not workable? Do I boot off a CD? BTW, thanks for replying.

It's actually Windows Vista Home Edition. But I'm assuming I can still do this. I'll get my hands on a CD and get back to you. Thanks so much!

Hi msmith29063, If you live int the US, you can request a setup disc of your operating system HERE. If you live outside the US, you will have to contact Dell Support.

The CDs are in the mail. Should be here in another day or two. I'll let you guys know when I have them and you can walk me through the process. Thanks so much!

Call up Dell Technical support and tell them you havent received the CD's and ask for Vista disk, Dell Application Disk, Power DVD, Dell Resource CD and also other Dell Logo cd's which you can use for future use. They would be sending the same to you.

For Technical assistance/ Reinstallation please visit the website Computerhelp

I didn't mention before that since your computer will not boot you will have to enter system setup (F2 key when you see the post screen) and change the boot sequence to look at your CD first, that way anytime there is a CD in the drive the system will ask if want to boot from CD...  Select to install windows XP/Vista and then you will get the option to Re-install or Repair..

Captncarb

When you get your CD's from Dell, start with the repair option instead of a reinstall, this will leave everything like it was before you started having the problem provided it does actually work for your situation.  The reinstall may make some existing files unavailable and therfore you will want to try and backup what you can, I have never done a backup on a system that is not currently working correctly so I would be no help for you in that aspect.

Captncarb

The CDs came this morning. Remember, it's Vista Home. How to proceed from here?

I need to back-up all my files first. How do I do that without being able to use Windows?

tgsmith (or someone else): How do I back-up my files -- before reinstall -- from a bootable CD? Thanks!

Hi, See HERE on how to load your OP, and HERE to load your drivers( It says XP, but the load order is the same for Vista ).