When you have current OEM dvd it takes less time to get back to working and does not require you to be online to get to bootable recovery.
None of the recommendations included in this post are a waste of money because the important parts like drives and dvd and power supply and video can be carried forward to a newer or even brand new PC if its the right model.
I also tend to have the DUAL LAYER burnable DVD disks that are now required to make recovery DVDs now as well as a stash of USB2 16 and 32 gig FAT32 sandisk flash drives.
I still however every once in a while buy the $12 dvd and end up giving it away to my friends when they crash and otherwise cant actually afford a new computer.
Most All Dell models from 2006 to now work when you have at LEAST 4 gigs ram and at least 250 Gig hard drive or SSD,
That includes desktops and laptops.
The Optiplex GX620 tower is a very special machine.
You can use it for recovery and it has both SATA and IDE interfaces.
It also works with ALL versions of the software from MSDOS all the way thru Windows 10. Its not a speed demon but its fine for most things. Has optional legacy PS2 keyboard and mouse as well as parallel port and Serial Ports.
Combined with latest bios and Pentium D 915 you have an oldie but goody that works with EVERYTHING and the TOWER can take an EVGA 700BR power supply.
if whatever you buy comes with at least windows 7 the update to 10 is still free.
You use the I dont have a key option for install or for older media you use a generic home or pro key for install
The generic key cannot be used to activate but it will install without issue.
Once you get online you can activate using the SLUI 3 command or the change my product key option and use the key thats on the windows 7 home or pro COA sticker.
Not sure if this is a temporary fix. Try disable Windows 10 update permanently and see if that preserves system restore indefinitely. It appears update would force disabling or deletion of restore. If the question is how to fix OS to be able to both update and preserve restore, then I do not know.
I always keep updates paused and I check every few days for updates. I do not want forced updates. But I have had them fail then find out system restore was turned off. I also make a True Image backup before Windows Update. But I also like to have System restore as another option.
I plan on upgrading my M.2 Soon. But why should I have to buy a new drive to fix this? I am starting to think this is a Dell issue with System Restore getting turned off.
And why should I have to buy Windows 10 when I already bought it?
Dell cannot even fix their own Support Assist software.
I plan on upgrading my M.2 Soon. But why should I have to buy a new drive to fix this? I am starting to think this is a Dell issue with System Restore getting turned off.
If you don't care about any of the data on the drive you don't have to buy a new one. You will need to make recovery media or buy an OEM DVD. They are not horribly expensive and they work forever. Flash drives detrap and burned DVD's go bad over time.
And why should I have to buy Windows 10 when I already bought it?
Most vendors no longer ship with recovery media. Microsoft has a problem with piracy. The OEM DVD works out of the box and does not require you to be online in order to do startup repair or reinstall or recovery. These DVD will become hard to find soon because microsoft discontinued the refurbisher program.
Dell cannot even fix their own Support Assist software.
I have no comment on that. I know that my solution works for ALL DELL MODELS from 2006 to now. $12 is not the cost of windows its the cost of the disk.
The error messages can be clear like below or worse its just black screen of death. There is no installation media shipped with most machines so you have to make your own with the media creation tool and USB2 FAT32 16 or 32 gig Flash Drive.
Windows 7 Starter Windows 7 Home Basic Windows 7 Home Premium Windows 7 Professional Windows 7 Ultimate Windows 8/8.1 Windows 8.1 with Bing Windows 8 Pro Windows 8.1 Pro Windows 8/8.1 Professional with Media Center Windows 8/8.1 Single Language Windows 8 Single Language with Bing Windows 10 Home Windows 10 Pro
Windows 10
USB2 required to reinstall
This message means you need a bootable install dvd or flash drive
Power PC on and forceably power off as soon as you see the Dell splash screen through 3 cycles of on/off. After the 3rd cycle, Windows should automatically enter the repair environment on next boot. Follow the prompts to see if you can repair the installation.
If not, create a bootable USB at the Microsoft site. Plug that in with PC powered off. Then boot and tap F12 at the splash screen to open the boot menu. Select boot from USB and follow the troubleshooting prompts.
Sorry if I sounded snippy. I am frustrated at Dell right now on some things. I actually do have a Windows 10 OEM Disk I think it is 1709. I got it in 2018 when I built my own AMD System. I bought it from Newegg I can use that Disk I am sure without the product key to recover. It is on DVD I chose to get the DVD when I purchased Windows 10 Professional from Newegg.
They sent 1709 June 2018 when 1803 was just released. I remember downloading version 1803 making a flash drive and installing it.
I used that system for a year I wanted to upgrade it but decided to just buy this XPS. I should have Upgraded it. It was a good system I let my Church use it but I have all the disk here and keep then incase ever needed.
One good thing about building your own and buying your own motherboard. You get the driver disk at least Asus sends it or they did in 2018. I know you can and should update drivers. But I like having the disk. I know this is off topic now. My system finally booted I was able to get it to boot. And as for System Restore it may be Windows Update disabling it. I wish Microsoft would fix that if possible. As for Support Assist I don't know what else to say it just keeps notifying me of a case I had with support. They close the case and the next day Support Assist ask me if I am looking for details on case XXXXXXXX? It is Annoying.
speedstep
9 Legend
•
47K Posts
0
November 20th, 2020 21:00
When you have current OEM dvd it takes less time to get back to working and does not require you to be online to get to bootable recovery.
None of the recommendations included in this post are a waste of money because the important parts like drives and dvd and power supply and video can be carried forward to a newer or even brand new PC if its the right model.
I also tend to have the DUAL LAYER burnable DVD disks that are now required to make recovery DVDs now as well as a stash of USB2 16 and 32 gig FAT32 sandisk flash drives.
https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Cruzer-Glide-Flash-SDCZ60-032G/dp/B00XJXYONO/
I still however every once in a while buy the $12 dvd and end up giving it away to my friends when they crash and otherwise cant actually afford a new computer.
https://www.newegg.com/microsoft-windows-10-pro-64-bit-reinstall-recovery-disc-only-no-license-key-included/p/N82E16832350238
Most All Dell models from 2006 to now work when you have at LEAST 4 gigs ram and at least 250 Gig hard drive or SSD,
That includes desktops and laptops.
The Optiplex GX620 tower is a very special machine.
You can use it for recovery and it has both SATA and IDE interfaces.
It also works with ALL versions of the software from MSDOS all the way thru Windows 10. Its not a speed demon but its fine for most things. Has optional legacy PS2 keyboard and mouse as well as parallel port and Serial Ports.
Combined with latest bios and Pentium D 915 you have an oldie but goody that works with EVERYTHING and the TOWER can take an EVGA 700BR power supply.
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/evga-br-series-700w-atx12v-eps12v-80-plus-power-supply-dc-dc-technology-black/6346160.p?skuId=6346160
GT1030 Video card and an HDMI to VGA adapter means it runs all monitors from VGA 1985 to 4K samsung HDMI TV.
Add an external USB2 Blueray drive and you have reinstall for cyberlogic power DVD playback as well as Disk burning for blueray and DVDs
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/lg-8x-external-usb-2-0-blu-ray-disc-double-layer-dvdrw-cd-rw-disc-rewriter-black/9243009.p?skuId=9243009
https://www.walmart.com/ip/REFURBISHED-Optiplex-GX620-Tower-400GB-HDD-4GB-Ram-DVD-Rom-17-LCD-Monitor-Windows-7-Professional/280159717
if whatever you buy comes with at least windows 7 the update to 10 is still free.
You use the I dont have a key option for install or for older media you use a generic home or pro key for install
The generic key cannot be used to activate but it will install without issue.
Once you get online you can activate using the SLUI 3 command or the change my product key option and use the key thats on the windows 7 home or pro COA sticker.
redxps630
9 Legend
•
15.4K Posts
0
November 14th, 2020 08:00
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-update/windows-10-updates-keep-turning-off-system-restore/6f15b889-d6ad-4145-b8e5-ff53abcb3cbf
Personally I prefer not to use system restore but fresh clean install. The downside is losing pre installed apps and data if there is no back up.
CTG_8273
2 Intern
•
514 Posts
0
November 14th, 2020 13:00
@redxps630
I usually don't use system restore. But in a no boot situation it will usually get me back up and going.
That link never showed how to fix the issue mainly people just talking about the issue.
redxps630
9 Legend
•
15.4K Posts
0
November 14th, 2020 14:00
speedstep
9 Legend
•
47K Posts
0
November 14th, 2020 15:00
Buy a new drive
https://www.amazon.com/Seagate-BarraCuda-Internal-Drive-3-5-Inch/dp/B07H2RR55Q/
Buy an OEM System builder DVD
https://www.newegg.com/microsoft-windows-10-pro-64-bit-reinstall-recovery-disc-only-no-license-key-included/p/N82E16832350238
Buy a USB dock.
https://www.amazon.com/ORICO-Duplicator-Function-Protocol-Supported/dp/B00JJEUL5W/
Remove old drive
Install new drive.
Boot the DVD and clean install windows.
Insert old drive into dock and recover your data.
Optional 3rd step if you do not have optical drive.
Buy USB 2.0 optical drive to get burning and DVD playback.
WP50NB40
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/lg-8x-external-usb-2-0-blu-ray-disc-double-layer-dvdrw-cd-rw-disc-rewriter-black/9243009.p?skuId=9243009
https://www.amazon.com/LG-WP50NB40-Portable-Cyberlink-Software/dp/B019481PZ2/
CTG_8273
2 Intern
•
514 Posts
0
November 14th, 2020 15:00
@redxps630
I always keep updates paused and I check every few days for updates. I do not want forced updates. But I have had them fail then find out system restore was turned off. I also make a True Image backup before Windows Update. But I also like to have System restore as another option.
CTG_8273
2 Intern
•
514 Posts
0
November 20th, 2020 05:00
@speedstep
I plan on upgrading my M.2 Soon. But why should I have to buy a new drive to fix this? I am starting to think this is a Dell issue with System Restore getting turned off.
And why should I have to buy Windows 10 when I already bought it?
Dell cannot even fix their own Support Assist software.
68cutlass
192 Posts
0
November 20th, 2020 06:00
I've found Windows 10 disables system restore after many updates (major ones) and is in fact disabled by default on most fresh installs.
speedstep
9 Legend
•
47K Posts
0
November 20th, 2020 07:00
I plan on upgrading my M.2 Soon. But why should I have to buy a new drive to fix this? I am starting to think this is a Dell issue with System Restore getting turned off.
If you don't care about any of the data on the drive you don't have to buy a new one. You will need to make recovery media or buy an OEM DVD. They are not horribly expensive and they work forever. Flash drives detrap and burned DVD's go bad over time.
And why should I have to buy Windows 10 when I already bought it?
Most vendors no longer ship with recovery media. Microsoft has a problem with piracy. The OEM DVD works out of the box and does not require you to be online in order to do startup repair or reinstall or recovery. These DVD will become hard to find soon because microsoft discontinued the refurbisher program.
Dell cannot even fix their own Support Assist software.
I have no comment on that. I know that my solution works for ALL DELL MODELS from 2006 to now. $12 is not the cost of windows its the cost of the disk.
https://www.newegg.com/microsoft-windows-10-pro-64-bit-reinstall-recovery-disc-only-no-license-key-included/p/N82E16832350238
The error messages can be clear like below or worse its just black screen of death. There is no installation media shipped with most machines so you have to make your own with the media creation tool and USB2 FAT32 16 or 32 gig Flash Drive.
https://www.dell.com/support/article/en-us/sln300564
https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Cruzer-Flash-Drive-SDCZ36-032G-B35/dp/B001XURP8Q
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10ISO
You can then download and run the media creation tool. For more information on how to use the tool, see the instructions below.
https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=691209
Windows 7 Home Basic
Windows 7 Home Premium
Windows 7 Professional
Windows 7 Ultimate
Windows 8/8.1
Windows 8.1 with Bing
Windows 8 Pro
Windows 8.1 Pro
Windows 8/8.1 Professional with Media Center
Windows 8/8.1 Single Language
Windows 8 Single Language with Bing
Windows 10 Home
Windows 10 Pro
RoHe
10 Elder
•
45.2K Posts
0
November 20th, 2020 11:00
Power PC on and forceably power off as soon as you see the Dell splash screen through 3 cycles of on/off. After the 3rd cycle, Windows should automatically enter the repair environment on next boot. Follow the prompts to see if you can repair the installation.
If not, create a bootable USB at the Microsoft site. Plug that in with PC powered off. Then boot and tap F12 at the splash screen to open the boot menu. Select boot from USB and follow the troubleshooting prompts.
CTG_8273
2 Intern
•
514 Posts
0
November 20th, 2020 16:00
@speedstep
@68cutlass
Sorry if I sounded snippy. I am frustrated at Dell right now on some things. I actually do have a Windows 10 OEM Disk I think it is 1709. I got it in 2018 when I built my own AMD System. I bought it from Newegg I can use that Disk I am sure without the product key to recover. It is on DVD I chose to get the DVD when I purchased Windows 10 Professional from Newegg.
They sent 1709 June 2018 when 1803 was just released. I remember downloading version 1803 making a flash drive and installing it.
I used that system for a year I wanted to upgrade it but decided to just buy this XPS. I should have Upgraded it. It was a good system I let my Church use it but I have all the disk here and keep then incase ever needed.
One good thing about building your own and buying your own motherboard. You get the driver disk at least Asus sends it or they did in 2018. I know you can and should update drivers. But I like having the disk. I know this is off topic now. My system finally booted I was able to get it to boot. And as for System Restore it may be Windows Update disabling it. I wish Microsoft would fix that if possible. As for Support Assist I don't know what else to say it just keeps notifying me of a case I had with support. They close the case and the next day Support Assist ask me if I am looking for details on case XXXXXXXX? It is Annoying.