Reset my Dell to original configuration

Question

I have the same problem as kellysanches... I need to reset my dell to original manufacturer configuration, but the Ctrl + F11 doesn't work... When I start my Computer I see, when the Dell screen apears, in the upper right corner F2 and F12... there is no F11... is this on every computer like that?

My Inspiron 6400 is running on Windows XP not Vista...

Thank you for your help...

RoHe · Answer

You won't see anything on screen about PC Restore (Ctrl-F11). Reboot and as soon as the narrow blue band appears at the top of your screen, press/hold Ctrl, and quickly press F11. Release both keys at the same time. Follow the prompts.

Remember, all your files and any software you installed will be lost after you use PC Restore. So you have to back everything up on external media (eg, CD) before you start. After it's done, get firewall and antiviral software running and go directly to the MS update site to download/install SP3 and all the other MS updates.

Ron

sammann_ · Answer

thanks... but it doesn't work... i tryed it more the 20times... when i start my computer the black screen with the blue dell sign apears... thats the time i try to press ctrl + F11, after that a black clean screan (with a blinking white line to write maybe something) appears for a second or two and after that i can see the windows sign... i can't see a narrowblue band... :S

BELL BOY · Answer

Depends on why you want to use the DSR utility?

If you’re computer is otherwise working fine it may just be a damaged dell modified MBR that can be fixed

But if you are having other problems it could be a bad hard drive (or damaged disc sectors)

Suggest you carefully read through this post & it’s associated post links

Larry R · Answer

You want to hit CTRL+F11 at the time you would normally press F2 for BIOS for F12 for the one-time boot menu.

sammann_ · Answer

and larry, yes... that was the moment i tryed it for maybe 30-40 times but it doesn't work... :S

sammann_ · Answer

thanks... i will go throught the posts and hope it will work...

my computer is actually working not bad... slower as at the beginning but it's working... but it's a totally mess on the computer thats the reason i want to reset it... and that it's getting a bit faster again...

Larry R · Answer

CTRL+F11 only works if both the MBR settings and the hidden data recovery partition are intact.  If the partition is there, but the MBR settings are damaged, it might be repairable (I've seen posts to a step-by-step fix for this).  If the partition is damaged or removed, however, a manual reinstallation of Windows is going to be the only option.

sammann_ · Answer

how can i check if they are intact or not?

Larry R · Answer

If you hit CTRL+F11 when the prompt to hit F2 to enter System Setup is on the screen and it works, then they are intact.  Unfortunately, I don't know a bettery way to check. :(

sammann_ · Answer

thanks... no i tryed it now 50y times or so and it doesn't work.. next thing i guess to try to fix the MBR settings even if i don't know if they are working or not?

i don't think it's the partitition becauce i never changed anything on the computer... hmmm...

thanks for your help... :)

Larry R · Answer

And once again, Ron rides in with the link I was unable to find. :D

RoHe · Answer

Have you read the link Bell Boy posted, and more specifically this link in that thread for ways to fix access to PCRestore?   Ron

sammann_ · Answer

thanks ron and larry... unfortunatly i found out that i don't have this partition on my laptop... i don't have any idee why not... :s

but it's still working even a bit slower than at the beginning so it doesn't really matter...

Windows General

Reset my Dell to original configuration

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