Can't install OS

Question

Computer Dell Demension 3000 with Winxp Home.

My Brother in law's computer is/was loaded with junk. On original boot up, a program named "2011 antivirus" was running and wouldn't quit. It eventually said he had 106 viruses on his machine and for enough money, they would get rid of them.

They only virus program he had was a very outdated Avast. The program would not run. I download Marware bytes and it only ran for a few seconds, then quit. Next I tried Spybot S&D which did the same thing. Ad-Aware and ComboFix did the same thing. The original virus program finally did stop running, but now half the stuff on the system won't run at all. I takes almost 10 full minutes to boot up.

I tried system restore, but no help. Using Revo, I un-install all the new stuff I put on and tried again. Spybot was first, and I got a message that Spybot.exe was already installed. Did some checking and found the file but couldn't delete it. I got a message that I didn't have permission. Checking further, I found that this exe file is now listed as a system file and cannot be deleted. I now have 3 versions of this exe file, all listed as system files.

I would like to re-instal the Windows system but have a problem here too. Manual, and web site say to push control + f11 keys at start up. When I do this, I get a "keyboard error". I also tried f8,9,10,and 12. There is a hidden partition on the hard drive with the restore info or process, but I can't get to it. A restore disc did not come with this system.

Is there any way to access this info. I even tried using dos, but couldn't find it.

Any suggestions appreciated.

Lynn

ieee488 · Answer

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kcs/document?c=us&l=en&s=gen&docid=DSN_181316&isLegacy=true

Press the Ctrl key then F11 then release both at the same time when the blue bar that says Dell.com appears at the top of the screen

lynn1102 · Answer

In my original post, I mentioned that the control+F11 key gave me a" keyboard error". I have tried this at least 20 or 30 times and get the error message each time.

It does not take me to the restore.

Do you know if there is a repair or re-install disc available? It's going into the trash can if I don't get it fixed in the next few days.

Lynn

Tom Green · Answer

Hello LYNN1102

If you press ctrl+f11 too quick, you will get a keyboard error.

You must wait after the bios post before you press the keys.

As per ieee488 post when you see the blue bar at the top of the screen

press the key and release at the same time. You will only have about

2 seconds to do it. If you miss, try again. If you don't see a blue bar

with dell.com on it, the restore function is broken.

Hope this helps.

ieee488 · Answer

If TomGreen's suggestion doesn't work, your only option is to order the backup discs.

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dellcare/en/backupcd_form

it mentions Windows 7, but use the form anyway

RoHe · Answer

Keep in mind that PC Restore (Ctrl-F11) was only installed on systems shipped after July 14, 2004. So if the system is older than that, you don't have PC Restore. The other partition may be Dell's hardware utilities, accessible by pressing F12 before WIndows starts to load.

If you have PC Restore, you should actually have 3 partitions on the hard drive but only the C: partition is accessible from within Windows.

Ron

Windows General

Can't install OS

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