Restore Not Working

Question

System restore is not working. Im attemping to erase everything from my hard drive up to the day I installed windows (had new drive installed a year ago). System restore is not working and I do not know where else to turn. Any help please?

joymeka23 · Answer

Sorry for the lack of information. I have a Deminsion 5150, and it is system restore not Dell's PC restore.

shesagordie · Answer

joymeka23

It would help to post the computer model and version of windows.

Are you refering 'System Restore' or Dell's PC Restore by Symantec utility?

If you have XP and reinstalled windows, then the Dell's PC Restore by Symantec utility will not work, because this is factory installed.

See here.

Bev.

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Post the issue in the appropriate Board, where they will be answered.

joymeka23 · Answer

So now that I guess Im not going to be able to use system restore (other than todays checkpoint I suppose). How do I return my computer back to day 1 (I want everything gone). I have the Dell Dimension Resource CD, Windows XP, LCD Monitor CDRoxio, Cineplayer (not like it works), and Printer CD's. What else will I need?

mombodog · Answer

'had new drive installed a year ago'   System restore is gone forever on that system.   You will have to Reinstall XP clean.   http://www.theeldergeek.com/xp_pro_install_-_graphic.htm

shesagordie · Answer

joymeka23

What's reason for using system restore?

System Restore can only use the restore dates shown in the calendar.

Usually the failure to "restore" is a corrupted restore point. This is caused by other factors, sometimes hardware configuration.

If System Restore become's corrupt, the only way to repair it, is to start over again. Start by disabling System Restore, Go to Start > Control Panel > System > System Restore tab and check "Turn Off System Restore on All Drives".
Reboot the computer and then enable system restore and try to create a manual restore point and restore to it.

You will loose any saved restore dates, but as you can not use them, they are of no use.

Also, see troubleshooting System Restore

Bev.

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Post the issue in the appropriate Board, where they will be answered.

mombodog · Answer

You will need the one labeled XP reinstallation CD   follow the instructions in the link I gave above. Clean installation will wipe the drive of your personal data.     XP home   Pro looks like this

joymeka23 · Answer

One more question before I attempt to clean my drive. On the Dell diagnostics instructions, it says my CD  Rom should dlist before the Hard Disk  in the boot sequence list. It does not, is this an issue I can correct myself if its even an iissue?

shesagordie · Answer

joymeka23

You need to carry out a clean reinstall of XP.

First, disconnect all the peripherals from the system except the keyboard, mouse and monitor.

How to configure Dell Dimension series system to boot to the CD or DVD drive.

This XP reinstallation guide should be helpful.

While installing, remember to delete all existing partitions when you are prompted, then recreate the partitions and format the hard drive, following by installing XP.

After installing XP, you need to install the drivers and applications in the following order,

Desktop System Software (if applicable)
Intel Chipset
Video Card
Network Interface Card (NIC)
Sound Card
Modem
All other drivers

Then, install the Anti Virus utility and all the critical Microsoft updates.

Bev.

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Post the issue in the appropriate Board, where they will be answered.

mombodog · Answer

The reason they say this is so the PC will boot off of the XP CD to install. Put the XP CD in the drive, cancel the installer when it opens, restart the PC and follow the instructions below to boot from the XP CD.

You can force it to do a one time boot from the CD by tapping F12 several times when you see the Dell Logo screen during the boot process when you start the PC, you will get a Boot menu, select CDrom from the list and hit enter, watch the screen for the " press any key to boot from CD" message and hit enter again, the XP installation will begin.

To do a clean install you must delete the C partition, then create a New C partition, then install XP on the new C partition.

Read the clean install link I provided. There are many screen shots to help you understand what to do, to enlarge the screenshot, double click the image.

Please post your model of Dell.

Message Edited by mombodog on 10-06-2007 10:07 PM

joymeka23 · Answer

Welp her goes nothing (literally) Ill let you guys know how I did!!! Thanx for all the great info!!!  :womanvery-happy:

joymeka23 · Answer

Thanx Guys!!! It worked like a charm. Great instructions and resources from you guys, I really appreciate all the help and support!!

shesagordie · Answer

joymeka23

That's great and thanks for the heads up. :)

Bev.

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Post the issue in the appropriate Board, where they will be answered.

mombodog · Answer

You are welcome. :smileyhappy:   Don't forget Windows updates and AntiVirus software

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Restore Not Working

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