rcollard,

Thank you for using the Dell Community Forum.

Once you have all the options listed after pressing F8 you would choose the "Windows Complete PC Restore" option.

Jesse,

After selecting Windows Complete PC Restore as recommended, I get the message:  A valid backup location could not be found. 

Windows cannot find a backup on this computer.  Attach the backup- hard disk or insert the final DVD from a backup set and click Retry.

The only software that came with this Latitude E6400 are DVD’s as follows:

Dell Drivers and Utilities

Dell Application

Operating System (Windows Visa Home Basic)

I am not sure if any of these DVD’s contain the original factory restore or how I should proceed.  Please advise.

The only software that came with this Latitude E6400 are DVD’s as follows: Dell Drivers and Utilities Dell Application Operating System (Windows Visa Home Basic)

Hi jojens54321, Click on Start the click on Computer on the start menu, to see how many partitions you have. If your drive is showing 3 partitions, C being the main one, and D Restore is your factory state partition, there also should be a small partition for your diagnostics. If you cant see your D Restore, the you will have to use your Operating System (Windows Visa Home Basic) disc that came with your system to reinstall your OP.

You might have an alternative; try this approach:  Starting Vista Recovery Using Vista DVD.