Personally, I would just create the Windows-10 Media Creation Tool flash-drive and reload fresh from that. 

 

Install to a completely blank SSD. 

 

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Thanks but I would rather reinstall the original version/copy of windows supplied, I'm also aware there are partitions and/or files on the drive that a reformat would destroy.

If the F12 menu does not have the "BIOS Flash Update - Remote" or "SupportAssist OS Recovery" Options already listed, then the model does not support BIOSConnect. If you want to reinstall Windows using the OEM media, then I would refer to following page:

https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/drivers/osiso/recoverytool

Its essentially making the same exact SAOS Recovery GUI that our newer models use. Once you create the USB media, then it should be pretty much the same process of selecting Reset and Update and going through the prompts to reimage. You can click here for additional guidance on the OEM process if needed. Or right, you can also use the standard Microsoft W10/11 ISOs. 

@user_36a33e​ ,

 

Thanks but I would rather reinstall the original version/copy of windows supplied, I'm also aware there are partitions and/or files on the drive that a reformat would destroy.

Exactly. Reload just Windows-10. Try not to load any Dell-Drivers. See what Windows-Update gives you, then only add specific Dell drivers as needed.

 

Also, set SSD to AHCI-Mode first (also UEFI and SecureBoot should be set in BIOS).

 

All those recovery partitions are old and out-dated.

 

My way will also free disk-space on your (likely kinda small) NVMe SSD bootable C-Drive

@DELL-Daniel V​ 

Thanks, F12 does have a BIOS update.

Might I use that and how please.

@user_36a33e​ 

The 3050 would not have the BIOSConnect features. That BIOS update option is for USB media. If we need to reinstall Windows with the original Dell OEM image, then you'll want to create the USB media with this link here and follow the guide in this link. You'll then insert the USB media into the 3050 and you should have the SupportAssist OS Recovery option to choose from and to reinstall Windows.

If you want to update the BIOS itself with USB media, then I'd refer to the steps in this article. 

@DELL-Daniel V​ 

Thanks for the further help and guidance.

I have had a read through and I see some problems.

1st, I can't get the computer to boot into windows which on startup asks for a windows recovery key which I don't have.

There are some other comments in the help pages about using the "active" computer to, for instance discover hardware details and to "Download and install the Dell OS Recovery Tool"

2nd, I have no way to know this, if it refers to the 3050 and not the computer I am using to create the bootable USB ?.

 Note: If KB5025885 was installed on the system and you added the manual steps as recommended by the Microsoft security advisory, Dell OSRI (streaming and ISO download) may not boot successfully

When I read your comment "If the F12 menu does not have the "BIOS Flash Update - Remote" or "SupportAssist OS Recovery" I thought there was a chance that if I could, and did, update the Bios it would give the missing BiosConnect option.

Do you recommend that I do attempt a bios update first ?.

I will be able to discover some of the other requirements, like service tag and processor type, but I do not know which version of windows was installed ?.

Thanks

@user_36a33e​ 

So right, if its asking for a Windows recovery key, then I'd presume that is bitlocker. You'll need to fully reinstall Windows to use the unit like normal. Since the 3050 is an older platform, updating the BIOS wouldn't bring the BIOSConnect options. Its a hard limitation on the hardware. It'd be pretty unlikely that it shipped with Windows 7 so you more than likely have Windows 10 as the OEM OS. 

You can verify your original system specs on the support page. You'll just need to enter your service tag, then click on Product Specs under the Quick Links heading on the right. The OS that shipped with the unit will be listed here. 

In short, you'll want to do the following steps:

1. Download the Dell OS Recovery Tool on a different system
2. Open the installed app and enter your service tag
3. Insert a blank flash drive that is at least 16gb in size and follow the prompts in the tool
4. Once the image is created, restart the impacted 3050
5. Tap the F12 key on the keyboard when the dell logo appears
   
6. Select Support Assist OS Recovery from the USB boot option
   
7. Select Reset, then Reset and Update
   
   1. A network connection will be needed to perform this option
      
8. Follow the remaining steps to complete the image attempt
   

So yes, you do need a 2nd system to create the USB media. Windows should finally be reinstalled and you should be good to go from there with the out of box setup

@DELL-Daniel V​ 

The install and creation of boot usb passed all the verifying image etc, looking at it in file manager all seems well.

At end gave a guide as to how it would behave.

Insert ,  F12,  select repair or reset, setup win, finalize reset.

in 3050 I set boot options to  legacy, secure boot off  USB.

Inserted stick, startup. error "no boot device found"

Tried front and back usb sockets.

Previously had run available repair options which found no hardware problems.

Should say, current option for the make of a repair offered an upgrade to win 11, which I took.

If that is an issue I would not expect a failed find boot device.

Before I go around again and create "original" OS repair I would appreciate your comments please. 

@user_36a33e​ 

Ahh okay, so you wouldn't want to use the Legacy boot option. You'll want to set yourself back to UEFI. If the repair option offered to upgrade to Windows 11 then you might as well go with that since W10 is end of life. Windows 11 does not officially support legacy BIOS. Within the BIOS, you'll also want to enable USB boot support so that the media you created can be detected.