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November 2nd, 2023 17:17

Dell OS Recovery Reset - Not available for this computer

I'm attempting to re-install the OS on an Optiplex 3060 on a blank SSD using the Dell Recovery Reset tool.  When I boot this from a flash drive and go into the Reset section I get the following error:

This has happened the the last 2 machines I've attempted to reset.  
The affected systems had blank hard drives installed in them (The previous drives failed.) 
I've tried to do the following but still can't proceed:
-Format/Reformat the Flash Drive used for the Support Recovery Tool
-Formatted and deleted the blank partition of the replacement hard drive
-Update the Bios to the latest release
-Ensure the Time and Date are set correctly in the BIOS
We have about 80 of these in our organization and haven't had any trouble doing this until a few months ago.
If I use the advanced options in the Support OS Tool to just install the Windows 10 OS image this works fine - But I prefer the Dell image because it's a little tighter in it's setup has a little less bloatware.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. 

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15K Posts

November 2nd, 2023 17:37

if you have multiple identical 3060 of same spec, try create system image using the working unit, prepare a repair usb using same unit, then restore system on the bad 3060 w new hdd.  this does not restore factory setting but clones the working os onto the bad 3060 new hdd.

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November 2nd, 2023 17:56

@redxps630​ I would prefer to restore the systems back to factory settings like I've been able to do previously. 

Respectfully, the problem with this solution is all systems are in production and joined to domains.  We don't have a workstation with a "vanilla" setup that isn't currently in use to base an image off of.  I'd also be worried about conflicting SID's and sysprepping.  At that point we'd need to purchase additional software to ensure uniform setup.   

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November 2nd, 2023 20:47

I wonder if on start up of a working unit you have an option to access supportassist when you press F12 at startup.  that is how I restore hdd to factory on my inspiron 5400.

if so, try find a unit that still works to restore that unit which means all data can be wiped (an option you could choose), then clone that hdd onto the new hdd of the bad unit.

afaik this is the most reliable way to restore factory setting on local drive if the drive is still healthy and factory partition untouched.  if the drive has failed and you try to download an factory image from Dell site to restore on a new hdd, there are more potential bugs to hamper your attempt, understanding you were able to do that before though.

9 Legend

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15K Posts

November 2nd, 2023 21:04

the goal of method above is to recreate a local factory partition on the new hdd which is blank to start with.  I know this is a work around of your issue.

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November 3rd, 2023 15:56

Tried to boot up a known good machine but doesn't look like Support Assist is available on this model:

One interesting thing I noticed is if I select "Reset" from the Support Assist menu the "Next" button on the next screen is blue for a split second:
If I'm fast enough to click Next I go through the normal Reset Wizard I'm used to and get to the point where it attempts to download the recovery contents:
It doesn't proceed after this and I get the following error:
This makes me wonder if they removed this feature for some reason?  Seems really shady if so.  

(edited)

9 Legend

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15K Posts

November 3rd, 2023 21:10

if all your working units have lost the factory reset partition, that is unfortunate.  You do not have to use supportassist to do factory reset though.  SA is just an AI tool.

try use a recovery USB flash drive prepared in Windows 10 on your working unit, I think the USB has to be at least 8G if you want all the system files on it too.  then boot the working unit using the USB drive, and go through all the advanced menu options.  If you find an option to do factory reset, then do it, afterwards clone the resetted HDD to a new hdd for your bad unit.

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November 8th, 2023 21:39

I can create a bootable Windows 10 flash drive from Dell's support assist tool (advanced mode) and load the OS from this.  The problem is it installs Cortana and other bloatware that isn't on the Factory Dell image - so I have to remove this adding more steps to the configuration process.

If I perform a factory reset on a machine and clone this I have to run a tool like sysprep to remove the SID information before I can port this to a new PC (Another step I'm trying to avoid.) If I don't do this I get issues with synchronization with our WSUS server causing more headaches down the road.

I appreciate the help you're providing but would like an answer from @DELL-Cares as to why this feature seems to have disappeared within the last few months.  

3 Posts

February 12th, 2024 20:22

I tried to find out a solution to this error with no luck.  The support person I chatted with mentioned to check some BIOS settings.  Mine were enabled though and I am still having the issue.  They would not let me submit a ticket about the tool itself.

In the BIOS section, expand SupportAssist System Resolution.
Ensure that:
The Auto OS Recovery Threshold is not set to OFF and has a value of 1, 2, or 3 selected.

The SupportAssist OS Recovery option is selected.

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March 13th, 2024 20:04

Check the system clock in the bios. i found out that if it's not correct, you will not be able to download.

1 Message

March 13th, 2024 20:44

Yes! Set the system clock.  Not sure why but it has worked twice for me now.  

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April 8th, 2024 20:27

@KayDeeGee​ glad I found this.  My friend gave me his laptop to wipe and I tried the built in recovery tool and all options were greyed out so I made a usb drive recovery tool on another pc and still same issue.  But changing the time and date in bios to todays date made the options available, year was still 2021.  I know I could have just bought a cheap windows key and manually did a new install but installing drivers is a pain with specific laptop builds.  glad the clock worked haha.  thanks

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May 29th, 2024 14:47

This is what helped me when I encountered this issue. Rebuild the OS recovery stick, making sure you use the advanced options in the Dell OS Recovery Tool to select the original OS that came with the computer to build the USB.  I had a laptop that was purchased with W10 but with a W11 license included in the original build. I rebuilt the USB choosing W10 as the OS and then when I booted the USB and got into the OS Recovery, it gave me the option to choose W10 or W11

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July 8th, 2024 21:16

@KayDeeGee​ you are legendary. I created an account just to tell you thank you for your help.

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August 31st, 2024 01:27

@KayDeeGee same as @rabbitfanboy i created an account just to say thank you! 

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November 5th, 2024 10:35

@KayDeeGee @rabbitfanboy @andriolas I created an account just to thank you, you absolute legends!!!

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