Help need with Dimension E510

Question

I really need to know what to do from here. I have a friend with Dimension E510 I believe is the model number. He got some virus as a result of his daughter, and someone advised him to use partition manager to clear it. Well he did not know what he was doing and now he has wiped of the operating system. The c: drives is still there but with nothing on it. I have tried to install XP back onto the cpu but to no avail. I get a message that the disk is a none system disk. I have tried to load it in dos but can't get to do that either. Is there any solution for this problem, I would like to clean install XP back onto the CPU. I also changed the boot order to CD first but nothing. Basically any disk I put in is a non-system disk and will not run. But when I put in a Dell original cd I get a response, I just don't have a re-installation disk for the Dimension series. Thanks in advance.

Alexandra_P · Answer

Here's where I would start:   http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=sw_winxp&thread.id=214840   Start first at 'Where can I find information on Dell PC Restore by Symantec'?  If you're lucky, the original hidden Dell recovery partition is still there, and you can restore the PC to factory original by using CTRL - F11 at the bootup screen.   If that doesn't do it, then work through 'Where can I find the Dell Software Reinstall Guide'.  It gives step by step instructions on reinstalling XP.  You may need to fiddle with the BIOS if you're having trouble getting an XP cd to boot.   If you're still having trouble, you'll have better luck posting in the Software forum under XP (where I found the FAQ link posted above) :smileywink:

fireberd · Answer

If all the partitions were not removed on the hard drive, there will be a Dell recovery partition.  CTRL/F11 at boot up accesses this partiton.  The Dell recovery partition restores the PC to the original factory power up condition.

xxxnullifierxxx · Answer

just letting you know the hidden partition will wipe out all your data if you have any. poor e510...they have been having a lot of problems lately

xxxnullifierxxx · Answer

strange, when i had to do a factory restore, all my data and programs were gone, except my OS

fireberd · Answer

xxxnullifierxxx  He noted they 'wiped the C drive' so there isn't any issue with 'data loss' by doing the Dell restore.

fireberd · Answer

User data and user installed programs will be gone.  The Dell restore, restores the PC to the original power up condition.  It should, however, have all the preloaded Dell programs.  All user data is gone since it also reformats the hard drive.  This is the same thing with newer Gateway and HP PC's, that I've installed for clients in the last couple of years.

xxxnullifierxxx · Answer

so i was originally right on the user data ;)

Jattah · Answer

Well I have to try the other way, because ctrl-f11 was the first thing I tried  but got the message 'cannot restore'.  Anyway I will check the link provided and update u guys. Thanks

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Help need with Dimension E510

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