F8 is all about timing.  You have to press it BEFORE Windows first appears.  Try tapping F8 every second or more as soon as you see the F2/F12 options in the top right corner.

Other option (if you can't use the Recovery Partition and cannot create Recovery Disks) is to order replacement installation disks from Dell.

Don B,

Try reading...

Windows 7 - IMPORTANT Windows 7 Backup Disks to create

Instructions there to create the disks. The disks will be made from the recovery partition, so it can be made on the infected computer.

Rick

Alternatively you can use retail .iso files with your Dell Product Key and phone activation as outlined in my guide below.

Don,

Dell DataSafe™ Local Backup

Restoring Your Dell Computer to Original Factory Installation with Dell DataSafe Local Backup 2.0

Rick

No matter what I do with F8, I can't get the recovery menu.  I can do it in one easy keystroke on my Dell laptop, but I have rebooted my desktop system 10 times and hit F8 as many times as possible during the startup until the Windows messages start appearing.  But no recovery menu.

Can I download DataSafe Local Backup somewhere?  That seems like the easiest and fastest way to get the disks I need.  

natakuc4, the pages you're linking to look pretty good.  I'll have to check them in out.  

In the meantime though, can I download DataSafe Local Backup somewhere?  My Dell laptop has it and I can easily use it.  Just seems like by far the easiest way out for me.

Thanks.

Don